Italy in winter. Winter holidays in Italy

In winter, you will certainly plunge into the amazing atmosphere of waiting for the Christmas miracle: already from the first days of December, Italian cities and towns are lit with New Year's lights, in all shops - from small shops to supermarkets, there is a revival, and the inhabitants of the Apennines themselves are happy to stock up on gifts for their relatives and friends .

Christmas, fairs and nativity scenes

The Italians have Christmas and New Year holidays from December 24 to January 6. During this period, several religious and secular holidays fall at once, which are reflected in the family traditions of the inhabitants of the Apennines. This is the night before Christmas on December 24, Christmas itself on December 25, when traditionally the whole family gathers at the dinner table, the feast of St. Stephen on December 26, the New Year on December 31 - January 1, the feast of the Epiphany () January 6.

In Italy, there is a long and very interesting tradition of creating sculptural compositions representing the scene of the birth of Jesus Christ. Starting from December 8, when Catholics celebrate the day of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, New Year trees are decorated everywhere and cribs are arranged - they, like decorated Christmas trees, can be seen everywhere - both in the central city square and in the house of every Italian family.

Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square. Photo flickr.com

Residents of some towns personally depict all the characters and, to the best of their ability and ability, recreate the environment of 2000 years ago, thus creating “living dens”, which also deserve the attention of tourists vacationing in Italy on New Year's Eve.

It is customary in Italy to give gifts on, or rather, to put under the tree, so that on December 25 the whole family unfolds them and congratulates each other on Christmas. The most exciting thing is to buy gifts for, the very visit of which turns into a real holiday. Therefore, being in Italy these days, be sure to try to visit one of them or even several.

Christmas market in Bolzano. Photo milanoweekend.it

At each of the Christmas markets and markets, you can stock up on souvenirs and gifts presented here in a wide variety, or simply admire the products of local craftsmen, try local delicacies from confectioners and other traditional dishes, purchase local delicacies for your New Year's table and, of course, get in the holiday spirit.

A counter with souvenirs and Christmas tree decorations at the Christmas market. Photo nanopress.it

Ski resorts

Many outdoor enthusiasts specifically plan their holidays in Italy during the winter months, knowing about the magnificent this country. Some ski resorts open already from mid-November, most begin their work in early - mid-December and end in late March - early April.

Skiing holidays in Italy are excellent trails designed for tourists of any skill level - from beginners to professionals, these are a variety of types of snow recreation: downhill and long distance running, sledding and snowshoeing, snowboarding and ski mountaineering, freestyle and heli-skiing, ice climbing and skating, ski schools for adults and children, convenient lifts of various types, and in addition, excellent infrastructure, comfortable hotels and hospitable local cafes and restaurants and, of course, magnificent landscapes of snow-capped mountains and forests.

One of the hotels in the Dolomites. Photo cozzio.it

The most popular ski resorts are located in the Italian Alps, in the regions,. The most famous of them are (), Sestriere, Peio, Rifugio Bella Vista, spa centers in Andalo and Ortisei, baths in and in the Val di Sole valley.

Winter thermal holidays in the resort of Bormio. Photo flickr.com

Hot thermal springs, coming out deep from the ground and having a complex chemical composition, have a positive effect on health. A special pleasure is to enjoy relaxing wellness treatments in water with a temperature of 36-40 ° in the open air, while admiring the snow-covered mountain slopes.

Italy is a big and beautiful country. A country where you can study world history. For thousands of years, so many events have happened on its territory that many of them are still unknown to us. Temples, churches, catacombs, fountains - all this is history, all this keeps its secrets. Tourists who come here do not sit in hotels, but walk around the cities and see the sights. If you decide to go to Italy for the first time, then it is better to choose winter for your trip. At this time of the year there are not very many tourists, and you can relax and see everything. This article will help you understand where to go in Italy in January. Where to relax is best - you will find answers to all questions and you can safely fly to rest.

January is the first month of the year. Winter is in full swing, in Italy all the holidays are over. Christmas is over and the tourists are leaving the country. At this time of the year, prices in hotels are significantly reduced. The only exception is hotels in ski resorts, where there are many tourists. Let's see where you can go to enjoy the country.

Milan sales

All the inhabitants of our planet know that it is in Milan that the best clothing stores are. Fashionistas from all over the world come here to shop. And in January, there are just sales in the shops of the city. There are more tourists in Milan in January than in the rest of the year. they all run around the shops, try to have time to visit all and buy more clothes. And rightly so, because sometimes discounts reach up to 70%, and this is almost for nothing.

But not only sales attract tourists. There is a lot to see in Milan. Famous theaters, operas, fountains and the main square of the city. Tourists and residents of the city love to walk the streets in the evenings, sit in cafes and talk over a cup of coffee.

Florence is an amazing place
January in Florence is cool, sometimes even cold. But this is for local residents, and for Russians, the weather at 0 degrees in winter is warm.
On this earth you will not be able to sit in hotels. From the very morning you will start walking around the city and seeing the best places. The statue of Michelangelo is a place where tourists and locals gather. Here they sit, talk and enjoy life.

If you are in Florence, then be sure to walk along the Ponte Vecchiu bridge. And do not just walk, but stop on it. This is an amazing bridge with houses and people living there! The spectacle is amazing and there is nothing like it anywhere in the world.

Venice is the first thing you remember about Italy
Venice is a city under water. More precisely, it is not under water, but there is water on its streets, and people move not on asphalt, but on water in special boats.

In Venice, it is not necessary to go somewhere and see the sights. Venice itself is a big attraction! Well, where else in the world is there a city that is built in water? Here you can just go boating all day and enjoy the city.

Naples is beautiful!
Naples is the beauty of Italy. Perhaps this is true Italy. This is the south of the country, and temperamental people live here. The kind we are used to seeing in the movies - with a "hot" heart and love for their country.
Naples has thousands of attractions. And in January the weather is such that during the day you can walk in a light sweater.

Rome is the capital of Italy
To visit Italy and not to visit Rome means to go there in vain. It is in Rome the main attractions that everyone knows. It is in this eternal city that buildings and buildings are thousands of years old. Only one Colosseum can be viewed all day. And so nothing to see.

In Rome, there are ancient stadiums that hosted gladiator fights, chariot races and early fashion shows.
Be sure to walk around Rome in the evening when the sun is out. This city will look completely different.

Where else?
There are a huge number of cities in Italy, and it will not work to visit them all at once. But still you can choose for yourself the cities that are worth visiting ahead of all. For example, Tuscany. Lucca, San Gimignano, Pistoia are small towns, but with a lot of history. They are beautiful, they are wonderful. And they have real Italian life.
It is worth visiting Perugia and Orvieto - these cities are beautiful at any time of the year. Residents of the cities are hospitable and will gladly invite you to visit them. They will intermittently tell their stories, and each will be different from each other.

In different parts of Italy? Why should public holidays be taken into account when planning a trip? What you need to know about how museums work in winter? Why do many hotels offer discounts? The article answers these and many other questions.

For people who don't mind the cold, winter can be a great time to plan your trip to Italy. Winter in Italy is the classic "off-season", which means not only a pleasant drop in housing and transport prices, but also far fewer visitors to museums and historic sites. The Italian winter is, among other things, the period when the theater and opera seasons are at their zenith. And if you are also a skier, then the Italian mountains will offer a lot of opportunities for organizing a complete winter holiday.

The Italian mountains are famous for their snow-covered slopes and excellent sports infrastructure, attracting many skiers and snowboarders. In addition, many mountain resort towns in Italy are also famous for their hot springs and spas, making for a truly unforgettable experience in the snowy winter surroundings.

In major cities, many museums and tourist sites in Italy close much earlier in winter than in summer. Outside the cities, the schedule changes even more dramatically: attractions can only work on weekends, or even close completely during the low season. Many hotels and restaurants in popular summer destinations may also be closed. On the other hand, those hotels that continue to accept guests often offer significant discounts in an attempt to attract rare tourists (with the exception of ski resorts).

Unfortunately, not all attractions are open during the "low" season, many are open only a couple of days a week for several hours. Therefore, before going on an excursion to some historical place, it is worth asking in advance about its visiting schedule.

Florence

For Italians, Florence is very cold in winter, especially in January. But for a Russian tourist, the temperature is not above zero - it's almost warm. The city is beautiful at any time of the year. In winter, you can safely see all the sights.

Visit the Statue of Michelangelo, dream on the Ponte Vecchio. You will not find such a bridge in any other city in the world. The uniqueness of the bridge is that it has residential buildings in which the Florentines live.

The city has a cathedral of amazing beauty - Santa Maria del Fiore and many other amazing buildings. Photos on the background of winter Florence will decorate the album of any traveler.

Venice

This is a unique city, as if floating above the water. The main transport is boats. Of course, local residents move freely on paved sidewalks. What could be more romantic than a boat trip for two? A silent gondolier will help you see all the sights of the city without leaving the boat.

Venice is a bit chilly and damp in winter. But this does not make the city less interesting to visit.

Naples

Not visiting Naples means not getting to know the true Italy. This is a southern city, so the winters here are mild and warm.

Naples is an open-air museum. There are thousands of monuments and historical buildings. First of all, you should look into the catacombs or the so-called "Kingdom of Hades", an archaeological museum.

Naples is a city of ancient castles. They still amaze tourists with their beauty and grandeur.

Rome

To visit Italy without seeing Rome means not to be in this country at all. It is in this city that the main historical monuments and achievements of Italian culture are concentrated.

No wonder Rome is called the "eternal city". Just for the sake of walking around the Colosseum, you can make a trip to this amazing country.

The temple of all the gods - the Pantheon was built in the 2nd century BC. This is the second place worth visiting in the capital.
The castle of the Holy Angel strikes with grace and beauty. Its construction began in the 2nd century AD.

Rome amazes travelers with a combination of architectural buildings of various styles taken from different eras.

Bari

This is a small port city located at the very beginning of the "heel" of the Italian boot. Amazing monuments, majestic castles, ancient buildings are collected in Bari. On the streets you can find luxury shops and miniature markets.

It is in this city that you can touch the myrrh-streaming relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. They are stored in the Basilica of St. Nicholas, specially built for this purpose.

winter shopping

Shopping in winter will bring not only great pleasure, but also save money, as mass sales begin on the first Saturday of January.

For a woman, Milan will become a fairy tale, since it is here that you can buy a branded trinket at quite affordable prices. By the end of February, discounts on last year's goods will be 70%.

Of course, the choice will no longer be as large as at the beginning of the season. Therefore, if the purpose of the trip is shopping, then Italy should be visited in the middle of the sales season - at the end of January.

An exclusive handbag from a famous fashion house with a maximum discount will be the best Italian souvenir.

Italian food

Italy can safely call itself a strange "gastronomic" tourism. Italians have a special attitude towards food. For them, this is not just a combination of certain products, but a whole art that reflects the traditions and flavor of the state.

The main dishes are centuries old. Each ingredient was added with a certain feeling and emotion. Italians don't just love to eat. Food for them is a cult. It is impossible to meet an Italian snacking on the run. They prefer to absorb food slowly, getting maximum pleasure.

Of course, it is impossible to try all the dishes of Italian cuisine, but every tourist should try Margherita pizza, pasta, rizzoto, lasagna and panna cotta.

Be sure to visit an Italian restaurant in a large company.

To eat spaghetti you need a fork, around which they are gracefully wound. If a tourist tries to pick up the leftover sauce from the plate, he will be considered uncivilized.

Where to stay?

Italy is a tourist country, so there is a very wide choice of places for tourists to stay. Therefore, you can stay in fashionable high-class hotels, or more affordable boarding houses and hostels.

If the traveler does not plan to stay in one place for a long time, then you should not stay in hotels. You can find more democratic accommodation with more comfortable conditions. These are family mini-hotels or guest houses. There is usually no air conditioning in the room. But this is absolutely not a necessary thing for a winter holiday. For that there is a private shower or bath, a clean bed.

These establishments have a shared kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be ordered from the owners, after warning them. The menu will not be very diverse, but homemade delicious.

Ski resorts

Italy is a country that is especially popular with tourists in the winter. In the north of the country there is a chain of Alpine mountains. Like a magnet, they attract tourists from all over the world with their snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows and valleys. Nature itself fascinates: the amazing greenery of the meadows, combined with snow-capped peaks and glaciers, is a godsend for any traveler.

Excellent Italian service, luxurious hotels, and high-speed routes will satisfy the requirements of even the most picky vacationer. And this amazing Italian cuisine and hospitality!

Not one state can boast of ski slopes with a length of more than 3 kilometers. All ski routes are connected by ski lifts. Such a single system allows skiers to quickly and easily get to the desired slope.

There are many ski tourists in Italy. The following are the most popular:

Cervinia;
Araba/Marmolada;
Cortina D'Ampezzo;
Val Gardena;
Madonna di Capillo;
Cumayor;
Canazei;
Pozza di Fassa;
Passo Tonale;
Lemone Piedmont;
Valdidentro;
Monte Rosa.

Each has its own "zest" and features. Some attract with heights, others with thermal springs. We will discuss some of them in more detail below.

Alpine Cervinia

This resort is located in the northwest of the country. Cervinia has ideal climatic conditions for winter holidays. Cervinia is protected from cold winds from four sides. The town in which this unique place is located is located in the wonderful Valtornache valley.

Winter is the best season to visit Cervinia. There are no cloudy days here, the sky is never overcast. Soft, snow-white snow dazzlingly shines in the sun and pleases tourists from December to the end of spring. Fans of extreme skiing will be satisfied with the resort even in summer, as they can make dizzying descents along the glaciers.

Cervinia is famous for its route scheme. The slopes will especially please professional skiers. Beginners will also find the most comfortable trails for themselves. Thanks to a common magnetic card (ski pass), vacationers can freely enter neighboring Switzerland using a high-mountain lift.

The lift has no equal in height in any country in Europe. Moving on it, one gets the feeling that a little more and you can touch the sky.

The most popular and breathtaking slope of the resort is Ventina. Its length is 11 thousand meters.

The pearl of the northwest of Courmayeur

The resort is located at the very foot of Mont Blanc, next to France. When climbing one of the peaks of the mountain peaks, it takes your breath away. The beauty of the landscape cannot be expressed in words. A small town opens up to the eye, surrounded by centuries-old coniferous forests and mountains.
This place has been known since ancient times due to the healing properties of water obtained from thermal springs.

Courmayeur is a sophisticated and chic place. Five-star hotels, luxurious restaurants and expensive shops greatly enhance its prestige. It is not quite suitable for lovers of a relaxing holiday due to the busy social life.
The town attracts with its originality. Ancient traditions, modern life, stone buildings and pavements harmoniously merged here. Walking around the place one gets the feeling that he found himself in the era of Napoleon Bonaparte.

This ski resort is not distinguished by difficult slopes. There are only two of them: Competitione and Diretta.

One of the slopes of the resort in the video:

The most convenient way to get to Courmayeur is from Milan. Only 2.5 hours of travel and vacationers on the spot. If the traveler is moving from Switzerland, then it is convenient to use the tunnel laid under Mont Blanc. The journey from Geneva will take only two hours.

Cozy area of Val di Fassa

It's always sunny here. Nature impresses with its splendor, and the town with its comfort and elegance. Snowboarders will get a lot of amazing experiences from the mountain slopes. Therefore, Val di Fassa is their favorite place.

Skiers with different skill levels can go here. The area is rich in difficult trails and easy descents for beginners. On the territory of the Fassa valley there are 8 resort towns. Campitello and Canazei are the most attractive for vacationers.

This place is called "winter dream" by tourists for its color, unique traditions and wonderful winter weather. In addition to beautiful slopes and trails, the town offers tourists a lot of interesting things: visiting the Museum, where you can learn the customs of the locals, dog sledding and sleigh rides.

The Christmas holidays are celebrated with gaiety and pomp. A real carnival takes place in the city, during which local residents dress up in old clothes and reproduce old dances.

The area is easily accessible from Bolzano International Airport, located at a distance of 50 kilometers.

Fabulous Val Gardena

If you want to get into a magical land, then Val Gardena is the right place. Such bright colors cannot be found in any other Italian ski resort. The place is simply created for the rest of young people who love to plunge headlong into entertainment. Bars, discos and nightclubs are ready to receive visitors around the clock.
Fans of winter skiing will find here long trails of any difficulty level. The slopes are open for skiers from the first of December to the end of April.

There are three resort towns on the territory of the valley:

Selva. The town is famous for its souvenir shops and sports shops;
Santa Cristina. In addition to excellent ski slopes, it can provide tourists with a fascinating tour of the ancient castle and the local history museum;
Ortisei is famous for its fashionable expensive shops.

Despite the vibrant nightlife, the valley is recommended for families with children. Schools and kindergartens are open for them. During the winter season, horseback riding and mountain biking are organized for children. The most daring can try to go down from the mountain peak by parachute.

Teenagers can go rock climbing, canoeing on a mountain river.

Heart of the Alps - Bormio

Resort Bormio is located in the picturesque region of Lombardinia. The city is not only a skiing, but also a historical place. It has many old buildings dating from the 12th-15th centuries.

A whole central street Via Roma is allocated for pedestrians. It is full of fashion boutiques. Once in Bormio, it is impossible not to visit the Ice Palace.

A special attraction of the city is a ski school, better than which you will not find in any corner of Italy.
The resort has colorful slopes passing through the forest. The mild climate even in the winter season, healing springs make it a popular holiday destination.

The main features that distinguish Bormio from other ski resorts include:

The best thermal complex in the Alps;
Large snowboard park;
The best cable cars and modernized slopes in Europe;
Excellent ski disco.

Both beginners and professionals can come to this prestigious resort. The slopes and pistes of Bormio will suit everyone.

Limone Piemonte or "White Reserve"

This is a small town located in the Alps. The mild climate, the absence of cloudy and gloomy days, the endless expanse of snow, and affordable prices attract tourists from all over the world.

Near Limone Piemonte is Nice - a favorite of travelers. The "Train of Miracles" is sent to her. Express is not in vain got such an amazing name. Since his path passes through the most beautiful places in the Alps, on the way of the voyagers there are 107 tunnels cut through the rocks and many bridges, stunning with the grandeur of the structure.

There is a lot to see in the city. The main attraction is the stone church of St. Pietro, built in the 14th century.

This is a great place for kids entertainment. Especially for small vacationers in the city there is a unique Kinder Park, where you can find any entertainment.

A distinctive feature of the resort are moving walkways that take tourists to the top of the slopes instead of lifts.

Winter holidays

Not all tourists are fond of winter sports. But this is not a reason to refuse a winter visit to Italy. December and January are the most favorite time for the locals. Holidays follow each other:

Christmas;
New Year;
Day of Saint Epiphany.

Christmas

The Italians cherish their traditions, so the preparation for Christmas begins in the first days of December. Festive illuminations are hung on every street or house, beautiful Christmas trees are set up. Holiday fairs open everywhere, offering the visitor to buy gifts for themselves and their loved ones, nativity scenes are being built.

The nativity scene is a composition reflecting in detail the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. The building displays a manger in which the baby, the Virgin Mary, is located. There are also figures of the Magi and shepherds who brought sacred gifts. Not a single Christmas is complete without a nativity scene.

The first nativity scene appeared in 1223. It was built in his cave by Saint Francis of Assisi. And since that time, compositions of figurines have been built in every church. Then the nativity scenes became home. Even the poorest inhabitants of Italy found the opportunity to build a modest, but their own nativity scene.

Now you can meet theatrical nativity scenes in which the parishioners of the church and their children participate. They prepare very responsibly for such a performance. For clothes and jewelry, the most valuable things are used.

Christmas is usually celebrated with family. And the Italians have a special proverb "Christmas - with loved ones, Easter - with whomever you want." On the eve of the holiday, the whole seed should gather at the head of the clan. Different generations come, friends, close and distant relatives.

New Year

If it is customary to celebrate Christmas with the family, then on New Year's Eve, Italians like to visit and have fun. Restaurants and cafes are crowded this night. The streets are filled with cheerful, temperamental city dwellers.

In big cities, large-scale holiday concerts are organized that last all night. And the sky is lit up with thousands of lights of an unforgettable fireworks display. Italians approach the preparation of the New Year's table very responsibly. They are convinced that what they eat on this magical night will help fulfill their wishes for the next year.

Therefore, lentils are the main dish, as they look like coins. If you eat a lot of “coins”, then you will get rich next year.

Saint Epiphany's Day

This holiday falls on the night between 5 and 6 January. The Italians also call it Epiphany. The celebration is in full swing. Fairs, festive processions and theatrical performances are obligatory.

The main characters are Epiphany and Befan. Befan is somewhat similar to our Baba Yaga. Mandatory attributes of this fabulous creature are holey stockings, a broom, a witch's hat and a long cloak.

An ancient legend tells that the Magi entered the house of Befana and asked to show the way to Bethlehem. She correctly showed the way, but did not accompany the travelers. And when I realized that it was also necessary to go on a journey, I could not catch up with the Magi.

Since then, she has been visiting every home where there is a child, hoping to find the Baby Jesus. She wants to apologize for not coming to greet him. Befana enters every house through a pipe. She does not do evil, but on the contrary, gives sweets to obedient and good children.

A child who misbehaves throughout the year receives coal as a gift. In order to receive sweetness from Bafan, you need to hang a stocking on the fireplace in advance.

It is believed that Bafana sweeps the holidays with her broom, as holidays and weekends end on January 7th. Italians remove all holiday paraphernalia and return to everyday life.

To the question: Is it worth going to Italy in winter? We can unequivocally answer: YES! In this amazing country, everyone will find something exciting and interesting for themselves. After the trip, unforgettable impressions and amazing photos will remain.

Venice is one of the most expensive tourist cities in Europe, so many travelers, despite the presence of a great desire to visit the famous city on the water, have to abandon such an undertaking due to the lack of sufficient material resources. However, it is possible to spend some wonderful days in Venice in winter, even if the wallet is not very tight. However, one must be prepared for the fact that winter Venice, nevertheless, loses some of its charm. Winter it's not so cold here, of course - the air temperature in January usually fluctuates between one degree of frost and six degrees of heat - but a gondola ride can easily make your teeth tap-dance. In addition, some hotels close for the winter. But those hotels that continue to work in the off-season please with unusually low prices. In any case, it is better to go to Venice in winter than not go never - and after a walk along the foggy Venetian embankments, warm up with a glass of grappa.

Turin in winter

Most travelers who are intimately familiar with Turin agree that this city is best visited in the summer. In principle, the same can be said about any city in Italy, although Italian cities in winter wonder how good! And speaking directly about Turin, this city is known as the Italian capital of winter entertainment. No wonder Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006. In the vicinity of Turin, you can also go skiing (the resorts of Breuil-Cervinia, Bardonecchia, Sauze d'Ouls, Sestriere), and simply, in the end, take a walk along the mountain paths of the Alps. Winter in Turin is conducive to visiting museums, of which there are about four dozen. The Egyptian Museum in Turin, for example, is the second most important Egyptian museum in the world, right after the Cairo Museum.