Luci d’Artista in Turin

Lights in Turin Italy

Every winter the streets of Turin come alight with sophisticated electric installations by renowned artists – Joe Gartman investigates… Photos by Patricia Gartman Thomas Edison started it all, of course. Not content with inventing the light bulb, he strung dozens of coloured lamps around his laboratory for the 1880 holiday season. In 1882, his business partner, […]

Five reasons to visit Italy at Christmas

Christmas Market Bolzano Italy

From festive markets to presepe, Italy is especially magical in December – here are a few good excuses to book that flight! Photos by iStock & Getty Images 1. Where better to be at Christmas than in a festive high-altitude town known for its fantastic traditional outdoor market and with the stunning Dolomites as a picturesque […]

Drink Italia! The best wines for Christmas

Wine at Christmas

Here’s our round up of really special Italian drinks to take you through the rest of the festive season and all its celebrations! Information correct at time of publishing. Please check for current availability and prices   A well-chosen drinks menu is essential for an exceptional Christmas celebration, so we asked our experts to suggest fine […]

A Very Milanese Christmas

Pretty Panettoni at Cova, Milan, Italy

Milan has something to offer the visitor at all times of the year, but Rachael Martin finds its café culture particularly appealing in the lead-up to Christmas… Photos by Rachael Martin unless otherwise stated It’s late afternoon along Corso Magenta. The streetlights have come on, and the orange Carrelli trams wind their way through the […]

A Wild Christmas

Krampus festival in a snowy field just outside Castelrotto, South Tyrol, Italy

Each December, the terrifying costumed figures of Krampus paint South Tyrol red with their extravaganza. Marina Spironetti attends a traditional parade of the monsters in Castelrotto Photos by Marina Spironetti   If your idea of a typical Italian Christmas involves getting dressed up as Babbo Natale for the fun of the little ones in the […]

Italia! Christmas gift guide 2017

Bring some Italian style to the festive season with our fantastic Italia! Christmas gift guide. Featuring gift ideas for the whole family! Marche Leather Goods Beautiful leather goods including handbags, manbags and purses. All lovingly designed and totally handmade from the very finest Italian leather by local artisan producers, specially sourced for you by From […]

Christmas in Venice

Visiting Venice at this time of year will offer you an experience quite unlike the one you would have if you were to join the throngs of tourists in mid-summer Local woman Sara Scarpa describes the atmosphere of a Venetian winter and shares with us some secrets about what Venetians will be enjoying in their […]

Food and Drink Christmas Gift Guide

Bring a dash of Italian style to the festive season with our gift ideas for the whole family Adopt an Olive Tree For an unusual gift that lovers of Italian food will adore, why not adopt an olive tree? The recipient of your gift will be sent an adoption certificate and a welcome pack, together […]

Christmas Gift Guide – for Him and Her

Bring a dash of Italian style to the festive season with our gift ideas for the whole family Prosecco Soap For a truly indulgent cleanse, this prosecco soap is enriched with linden flower extract and infused with the sparkling aroma of Italian bubbly. £4.99, Oak Room Shop Lime Di Sicilia Handbag Travel Set Take your […]

A Winter Celebration on the Amalfi Coast

Laura Thayer went to experience the life, history and culture in southern Italy last Christmas One day I awoke to find a cold north wind blowing down from the mountains. Day by day, the last signs of autumn blow away as winter descends on the Amalfi Coast. Despite the cooler temperatures, November is the time […]