Christmas Vacation in Italy

In Italy, the Christmas vacations goes traditionally for three weeks. It is the best place to be if you want to see the Christmas in its true traditions. Here Xmas starts on Novena (a day 8 days before the Xmas ) and ends with the Feast of Epiphany ( January 6). During these holidays groups of young musicians  and children go house to house  playing their musical instruments and sing Carols and reciting poems.

The most important part of Celebrations in Italy is the Epiphany, celebrated on 6th January ,when children hang stockings out and most people exchange presents. According to tradition an old woman on a broom, instead of Santa Claus in a sleigh, brings gifts on Epiphany in remembrance of the Magi's visit to the baby Jesus and she is called La Befana.

There are certain treats seasonal that come out around the Christmas season like the the Panettone a sweet cake-like bread filled with candied fruit from Milan which is very  popular throughout the country. Panettone comes in a elaborate packaging in bakery windows around this season which adds flavor to the festivities.

A strict fast is kept one day before Christmas that ends after 24 hours with an elaborate Christmas feast. The Christmas Eve dinner is based mainly on fish and excludes meat items although  there is no restriction on eating meat on Xmas Day. The feast is either a Cannelloni , Lasagna and  a timbale of pasta which forms the first course. The second course includes mixed roast or roast beef. It is served along with various kinds  of cheeses, fruits and  sweets, all soaked in a quality white or red  wine. Whiskey and other hard liquors are also taken during the feast.

Christmas trees and decorations are very  popular in Italy. Lights and decorations starts around December 8 and the main focus of decorations is the presepe, creche or Nativity scene. Most churches have  a presepe and are often found outdoors in a piazza or public area..Torino is the best places for lights where in a stretch of 20 kilometers ,the streets and squares are lit  by some of the best illumination artists from late November till early January.

You can visit San Marino and Vatican City that are independent countries within Italian territory. In Città di Castello, Umbria, this eve is celebrated on the Tiber River during evening, when a group of canoeists, dressed as Father ,holding canoes illuminated by lights, make their way along the Tiber River towards the bridge at Porta San Florido where they suspend a crib is over the water.  They give small presents to the children gathered there when they get out of their canoes,.