There are many things to do in Italy during winter. However, most travelers opt to schedule their trip to Italy in the spring or summer, since it’s the best weather for sightseeing. However, other than cheaper fares in the winter, there are also many things to do in Italy during this season that you shouldn’t miss. Here are five of them:
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Celebrate Christmas the Italian way!
One of the biggest reasons to go to Italy during the winter is the Christmas season. That’s because the Italian celebration of Christmas is like no other in the world. For starters, you can explore the many Christmas markets that pop up at the piazzas of Italy’s major cities. These include the Nuremberg Christmas Market in Verona and the one at Piazza Navona in Rome.
Many cities also bring out the décor and deck their major monuments in bright lights; traditional nativity scenes or presepi are also on display. And on top of the usual carolers, the southern regions of Italy will have the zampognari or bagpipe players spreading the Christmas cheer.
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Enjoy a night at the opera.
Most travelers expect that they can watch theater productions and operas in Italy at any time of the year. However, not all theaters are open during the summer; it’s actually in winter that most shows are staged. So even if you are not an expert in the Italian language, you should try watching an opera—it’s a unique cultural experience.
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Ski down the Alps or the Dolomites.
What better time to hit the slopes? Italy has a good number of winter sports facilities available, even in its central regions. Start your ski journey in Turin, the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics, or explore the many ski resorts on the Italian Alps. You can also go east and try the Dolomites. If you’re in Rome, you don’t have to go too far north—the snowy slopes of the Appenine mountains in Abruzzo is only a few hours away.
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Shop your heart away at clearance sales.
Italy is home to some of the biggest fashion brands in the world, so you shouldn’t pass up the chance to do some shopping while you’re here. But before you complain that you don’t have enough money to shop, all the winter sales will change your mind. Many Italian designer brands slash their prices at sales in January, so make sure to have your cash ready.
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Party the night away at a Carnevale.
One of the biggest events in Italy starts just before winter ends. The Carnevale, or Carnival, of Venice kicks off around mid-February, two weeks before Ash Wednesday. This massive masquerade ball, held at the Piazza San Marco, attracts millions of revelers annually.
However, if Venice is not in your itinerary, you can still join other carnivals around the country. There’s also one each in Viareggio, Foiano della Chiama, Putignano, and Ivrea (more known for its Battle of the Oranges).
With these five activities, you’ll surely look forward to spending winter in Italy. And if you really can’t stand the cold, you can also try going to the south of the country instead, where the weather is definitely warmer. If you want more help in booking your trip to Italy, feel free to request for your free consultation today!
