Christmas markets in Italy delight adults and children alike with their magical decorations, gift options and lots of local cuisine.
Until January 6th, you can find a romantic winter atmosphere in Merano, Trentino-Alto Adige, between snow-capped mountains and wooden houses overlooking the Passirio River.
The local market is full of regional handicrafts, as well as many organic and local products, from the famous Brezel bread to beer and speck, the ambassador of local gastronomy.
The sanctuary of the Madonna di Pietralba, considered the Cathedral of the Dolomites, is the scene of a small and delightful Christmas market: on weekends until December 24th and every day from December 24th to January 6th, eight stalls open to offer the best of local products.
Still in Trentino-Alto Adige, two other markets stand out in Val Gardena. The first, in Ortisei, remains open until January 5th, offering gifts, sweets, typical festive dishes, liqueurs and local wines. In Selva, a long strip of lights illuminates the wooden cable car cabins. There you can taste brulé wines, Christmas sweets and listen to Christmas music.
In the Aosta Valley, until January 6th, the Marché Vert Noël market transforms Chanoux square into one of the most enchanting places in the Alps. The handcrafted items on display include wooden objects, antiques, clothing accessories, Christmas decorations, regional cuisine, wines, and sweets.
In Rome, in Lazio, you can visit the traditional Christmas market in Piazza Navona until January 6th. Stalls selling handicrafts, nativity scenes, and gastronomic delicacies joyfully fill the famous Roman square.
In Piedmont, the Santa Maria Maggiore market in Val Vigezzo has been running for 25 years and is one of the biggest names in its genre in Europe. Until December 8, the venue hosted 200 stalls covered in red fabric and 12 chalets. The festival featured nativity scenes, ceramics, wooden objects, Christmas carols and lots of light.
The city of Milan, in Lombardy, hosted the “Oh Bej! Oh Bej!” fair until December 8, which has been held for 500 years near the Sforzesco Castle and Sempione Park. The stalls offered artisanal and gastronomic products, children’s games and gift ideas, as well as the famous “collane” of roasted and smoked chestnuts, perfect for protecting against the cold.
In the village of Montelupone, in Marche, the Christmas market was dedicated to honey. “Mielemente”, which ran until December 8, featured a variety of honey delicacies, as well as drinks such as grappa, wine and beer, as well as cosmetics and books. (HANDLE)
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