Five things to do in Tuscany at Christmas
Spending Christmas in Tuscany is special. It may be cold and crisp, but the cities sparkle with light and activity. There is a multitude of museums, galleries, street markets, churches, and of course good places to eat delicious food. If you’re thinking about spending Christmas in Tuscany, take a look at five things to do in this stunning region of Italy during the festive season.
Visit the Christmas markets
The Italians call them “Mercatini di Natale” and it is where artisans gather to show their work, confectionaries or almost anything the creative mind can conceive. People come from all over Europe, not just Italy, to visit the Christmas markets.
Florence also has a permanent market, open all year that sells speciality leather work. Closer to the edge of the historic centre near the Piazza della Libertà is the Florence Noel Market, with an outdoor ice skating rink.
Other cities also have great winter markets, where you can get those special presents. In Siena’s historic centre you’ll find a great Christmas market, Arezzo that boasts antique fairs. In the town of Greve in Chianti, the fair includes music performances in addition to the crafts and food vendors.
Go shopping!
For the clothes shopaholic, visiting the famous Via Tomabuoni in Florence will be like being in heaven. You will find all the most exclusive fashions, with top international labels, displayed in all their elegance. The shops spare no expense in making their window displays something extra incredible at this time of year.
Wining and dining
The other great luxury is eating, and the Italians sure know how to create good meals anytime of the year. The New Year’s Day Dinner is among the rituals of Christmas time, and in Florence there are choices abound, in the multitude of elegant eating establishments. If it’s cold outside, Tuscany’s hearty winter dishes will warm you up.
Take a stroll
The cities of Tuscany are steeped in history and walking around them on a crisp clear day is probably more pleasurable than in the heat of summer, especially during the evening, when they are all lit up with festive lights, arranged to illuminate details of historic buildings, and monuments – the atmosphere is magical.
A walk across the beautiful Ponte Vecchio Bridge is something not to be missed. Take a look in some of the historic Renaissance palaces and also the Romanesque churches; many will be arranging events to celebrate the religious significance of Christmas, with solemn Masses, concerts or nativity scenes.
Get active
Snow lovers need not go to the mountains for winter enjoyment, they can go skiing, ice skating and snow tubing in the city of Florence, specifically in the Ex Area Kontiki, which contains a built-in Winter Park on the banks of the Arno River.
As you can see in Tuscany you are spoilt for choice on things to do at Christmas.