Blog: Discover Italy

Christmas Markets in Italy Last year my daughters and I were in Italy for the Christmas season and one of our favorite activities was attending the Christmas Markets. Our favorite market was in Florence. Located in the square in front of Santa Croce, we felt like we were transported to a Medieval Christmas wonderland. There were handcrafted items from all over Europe. My daughter purchased a lovely scarf from Romania; we snacked on delectable chocolate from Switzerland, sausages from Germany and …

Manarola Nativity - Largest Lighted Nativity in The World Manarola, Italy is home to the world’s largest, lighted nativity scene. Manarola is a picturesque village located on the Italian Riviera, in part of the famous Cinque Terre (Five Lands) in the Liguria region of Northern Italy. The nativity was the brainchild of local resident Mario Andreoli, a retired railway worker, who began the project in 1976 and continued enhancing his nativity until his death in 2022. The e …

The Christmas Season in Italy Last year, my family and I spent the Christmas season in Italy which turned out to be a truly memorable experience! Italy is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but it takes on an even more enchanting appeal as it becomes draped in the spirit of Christmas. Unlike America, where Christmas is centered around commercialization and Santa Claus, the Italians celebrate the real meaning of Christmas – the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas …