Christmas Italy: how to survive a holiday in a place where it lives according to its own laws Christmas Italy is not a single scenario, but hundreds of local stories. Each region has its own rituals, its own sweets, even its own characters instead of Santa Claus. If you think it all comes down to Piazza Navona and Panettone, you haven’t seen the real Italy Christmas yet. Below is what won’t be shown in the mass tours, but what makes December truly magical here. Rare Christmas rituals that have been preserved only in villages – Farchie in Abruzzo — giant straw torches that are carried through the streets on January 17th. – U Scanu in Calabria is a procession with masks and bells, symbolizing the expulsion of evil spirits. – La Notte delle Cento Folle in Trentino is the night of a hundred fairy tales, when elders tell legends by the fireplace. – Zampognari in Molise — shepherds in goat skins playing ancient bagpipes since December 8th. These rituals are not advertised, but you can see them if you know where to go and who to contact. Many of them take place in villages with a population of less than 2,000 people — tourist buses do not reach there. The Italiatut team will help you organize a unique journey through Christmas Italy! Little-known Christmas markets where there are no crowds – Mercatino di Natale di Bussolengo — in the province of Verona, without advertising, but with handicrafts from local craftsmen. – Mercato di Natale di Gubbio — in Umbria, against the background of the illuminated Via dei Consoli. – Fiera di Santa Lucia in Syracuse — Sicilian market with Caltagirone ceramics and pupi (traditional dolls). – Mercatino di Natale di Orvieto — in the underground galleries of the ancient city, where honey cakes are sold according to the recipe of the XII century. You won’t find standard souvenirs with the Italian emblem in these places. But you can buy a hand-carved wooden Christmas tree toy or a candle made from beeswax from a local beekeeper. Regional Christmas dishes that the guidebooks are silent about – Cappone ripieno in Piedmont — a rooster stuffed with mushrooms and chestnuts, cooked only on December 25th. – Pitta ‘mpigliata in Calabria — dough roll with honey, nuts and grape juice. – Cartellate in Puglia — crispy curls, drizzled with grape syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. – Struffoli in Campania — dough balls in honey, decorated with candied fruits and sprinkled with diavulilli. These dishes are almost not served in restaurants for tourists. They are prepared in homes, and sometimes they are sold in church parishes or on street stalls near markets. How to move around Christmas Italy without stress – Avoid high—speed Frecciarossa trains on December 24-25 – they are crowded, tickets are 40% more expensive. – Use regional buses — they are cheaper and stop in small towns. – Rent a car with winter tires — in mountainous regions, their availability is mandatory by law. – Check in advance if vaporetto is open in Venice on December 24-26 — the schedule changes frequently. In December, many small stations close their ticket offices, so it is better to buy tickets online in advance. How to prepare for a trip to Christmas Italy 1. Book your accommodation before November 20th — after that, prices for holidays increase by 30-50%. 2. Specify the opening hours of the museums: on December 25-26, many are closed, even the Vatican Museums. 3. Download offline maps of the regions – the Internet may be lost in mountainous and rural areas. If this is your first trip to Christmas Italy, do not plan more than two locations per trip. The depth of impressions is more important than the number of cities visited. For those who want not just to see, but to live Christmas Italy, the GIDtut team offers guided tours. If you still have any questions or don’t know where to start, write to us on Telegram. Our experts will help you choose a route and accommodation and prepare you for a stress-free holiday.

Venice in December: how to see a city without crowds and in its authentic mood Venice in December is not a tourist route, but a personal experience of the city.The canals are almost empty, the fog is spreading over the water, and the cafe smells of vin brulé. This is the time when Venice once again becomes a city for residents, not for excursions. If you are looking for an atmosphere, not a photo against the background of the Doge’s Palace, December is perfect. Why you should choose Venice in December – Tourist flows are decreasing by 60% compared to autumn. – Housing prices decrease by 35-45%, especially after December 10. – In museums and basilicas, you can linger at the masterpieces without crowding. – Locals are returning to everyday life and are more willing to communicate with guests. Please note: acqua alta is possible in December, but their frequency is lower than in November. Forecasts are published on official websites in 48 hours — it’s easy to plan your movements. What is a must-see in Venice in December – Mercatino di Natale on Campo Santo Stefano — Christmas shops with crafts and sweets. – The illuminated Ponte di Rialto in the evening — reflection in the water creates the effect of a double bridge. – Basilica di San Marco without queue: admission is free until 11:30 and after 16:00. – Palazzo Ducale — in December, they hold night openings with an audio guide in Russian. Many galleries are changing exhibitions at this time — for example, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is launching a winter program with an emphasis on Italian modernism. How to dress and how to get around the city – Take waterproof shoes: the paving stones are slippery after the rain and during the acqua alta. – Warm clothes under the jacket — ideal for moving from the street to heated rooms. – Use a vaporetto, not a taxi: there is almost no queue in December, the fare is € 9.50 for 75 minutes. – Avoid walking in the Piazza San Marco area in the morning — the water rises there most often. If you plan to visit museums, buy a Museum Pass online — it gives priority entry and saves up to €25. Places to stay in Venice in December – Cannaregio is a quiet neighborhood with an authentic atmosphere and prices 20% lower than in the center. – Dorsoduro — proximity to museums and university, fewer tourists, more local cafes. – Castello — quiet streets, views of the lagoon and convenient access to the ferry at the Lido. Avoid hotels on the ground floor in the center — there is a higher risk of flooding at acqua alta. To find a place with trusted owners, we recommend using the rental service from Italiatut. How to avoid the most common mistakes in December – Do not ignore the acqua alta forecast — at a level above 110 cm, part of the city is inaccessible. – Do not leave the purchase of souvenirs at the very last moment — the best workshops are closed for the holidays. – Do not plan dinners in restaurants without reservations — even in December, the tables are occupied in the evening. If you are traveling to Venice for the first time in winter, study the vaporetto scheme in advance. Many lines operate on a reduced schedule in December, especially on Christmas days. For those who want not just to see Venice, but to understand it, the GIDtut team offers guided tours. If you still have any questions or don’t know where to start, write to us on Telegram. Our experts will help you choose your accommodation, plan your itinerary and prepare you for a stress-free trip.

Italy in winter: how to see the country in the most atmospheric season Italy in winter is a special time when the country slows down, but does not freeze. Tourist flows are falling, prices are falling, and locals are becoming more open. Many people mistakenly believe that winter is not the season for travel. In fact, this is the best time for those who seek authenticity rather than noise. Why choose Italy in winter – There are almost no queues in museums and galleries, you can stay at the painting for a long time. – It’s easy to find an empty table in cafes and trattorias and talk to the barista. – Villa and apartment rental prices are 30-50% lower compared to summer. – The weather in the south allows you to walk during the day without exhaustion, even in December and January. Winter is suitable not only for shopping and Christmas, but also for cultural routes. For example, in Umbria and Tuscany, ancient religious festivals are held at this time, which are closed to mass tourism. The best destinations to visit Italy in winter – Trento and Bolzano — Alpine-style Christmas markets with wooden houses and mulled wine. – Florence — fog over the Arno, illuminated facades and comfort in small galleries. – Rome — empty streets after Christmas, comfortable temperatures and the opportunity to walk through the Vatican without booking. – Calabria and Sicily — +14°C during the day, empty beaches and the opportunity to take a boat ride in December. – Perugia and Orvieto are ancient cities with almost no tourists and a lively atmosphere. Please note: in January and February, some museums may be closed on Mondays. We recommend that you specify the schedule in advance or entrust the planning to Italiatut specialists. What can you do in Italy in winter, besides shopping and museums 1. Visit sagre — local festivals of one dish, for example, truffle or olive. 2. Take wine routes in Piedmont or Tuscany with a tasting of the new harvest. 3. Go skiing in the Dolomites, but choose not resorts, but family areas like Val di Fiemme. 4. Visit the private nativity scenes (presepi) in Campania and Basilicata, where scenes from the life of Jesus are reconstructed. Many farms are opening tasting rooms at this time, especially in Emilia-Romagna. There you can try balsamico tradizionale vinegar, aged for 12-25 years. How to prepare for a trip to Italy in winter 1. Check the weather in the selected region: frosts are possible in the north, rains in the south. 2. Take comfortable shoes: the paving stones are slippery after rain or frost. 3. Book your accommodation in advance: in December and for the New Year, demand is growing by 35%. 4. Pay attention to the opening hours of museums: many are closed on public holidays. If you are planning to rent a car, please specify whether winter tires are included in the package. In mountainous regions, its presence is mandatory by law. How to avoid the most common mistakes in winter – Do not rely on public transport in small towns — it may be limited. – Do not ignore table reservations: even in small trattorias, reservations are made in a day. – Don’t skimp on health insurance: the risk of colds and injuries is higher in winter. – Do not leave the purchase of gifts on the last day — the best souvenirs are sorted in advance. For those who want not just to see, but to experience Italy in winter, the GIDtut team offers guided tours. If you still have any questions or don’t know where to start, write to us on Telegram. Our experts will help you choose a route, accommodation and prepare you for a stress-free trip.