Archive for 'November'

  

Thursday, September 7, 2023
Rome

Thinking about planning a vacation in Italy in November but unsure of where to go? Well, we’ve put together a helpful guide of the best holiday destinations across the country if you are looking to book a villa in Italy during November.


While November is not the first time of the year that comes to mind for many when it comes to planning a holiday in Italy, it might just happen to be the only time that you can travel or you may be looking to avail of the smaller tourist crowds and lower prices. The summer rush is well over and Christmas cheer will be starting to sprinkle into the bigger towns and cities but you won’t have the festive crowds quite yet either. Plus, while rain is common throughout most of the country in this month and the weather is becoming decidedly wintery, usually you can rely on great conditions for both hiking and exploring cities. City breaks or holidays full of outdoor excursions are ideal at this time of the year.

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Posted in: Apulia, Central Italy, Events, Latium, Localities, Milan, November, Southern Italy, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Umbria

  

Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Christmas cookies
If you have found a vacation rental in Florence and are planning a trip to the city in the run up to Christmas, one of the highlights and must-see attractions has to be its Christmas markets. Christmas markets are one of the best things about Christmas. They offer delicious foods, lovely hot drinks, a vibrant Christmassy atmosphere, shopping, festive music and fun in one place (because one can't say “under one roof” in this case, can they?). There are plenty of Christmas markets in Florence to choose from but one of the most famous is the Weihnachtsmarkt, located in piazza Santa Croce in Florence.

Named for, and based on, the style of Christmas markets you can find in Germany, it offers everything you would want from a typical festive market, all with a distinctive Tuscan twist on the model. Running from the end of November until a few days before Christmas, it is a great place to taste Tuscan products and food, mulled wine and beer from all over the rest of Europe as well     Read More
Posted in: Activities, December, Events, Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Must See Attractions, November, Shopping

  

Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Couple at a Christmas market
This week, we're talking Christmas markets on the blog. They're wonderful things, aren't they? Festive music playing, excited kids running about, happy families smiling, young love all abloom, food being enjoyed, hot drinks warming hands and no reason to rush at all: what could be a more perfect way to spend a day in the run up to Christmas?

While Italy is not as famous as her northern neighbours for her Christmas markets, there are actually plenty of great Christmas markets around the country, including Milan's Oh Bej! Oh Bej! (meaning "oh so nice! oh so nice!" in the Milanese dialect).

Just find a vacation rental in Milan and explore this excellent traditional market for yourself!     Read More
Posted in: Activities, December, Events, Food and Wine, Localities, Milan, Must See Attractions, November, Shopping

  

Friday, October 27, 2017
Ornaments
Another lovely Italian Christmas market tradition exists in the Alpine town of Bolzano in Trentino Alto Adige. Set against the Rosengarten Dolomites, it is a beautiful medieval settlement made up of romantic arcaded streets and picturesque squares.

It boasts two markets each Christmas, one of the biggest markets and also one of the oldest markets in the country.

White Christmasses aren't a common-place thing in Italy, as a general rule, but this Alpine setting means you'll get that snowy, atmospheric setting, perfect for, not just one, but two Christmas markets. For the ultimate Christmas market experience in Italy, find a vacation rental in Trentino or a vacation rental in Veneto and visit this lovely town for the day.     Read More
Posted in: Activities, December, Events, Food and Wine, Northeast Italy, November, Products & Specialities, Shopping, Tourist Attractions, Trentino-Alto Adige

  

Friday, October 27, 2017
Hot Chocolate
I will admit something in writing that horrifies most Italians I meet: I don't like coffee. I know, it's sacrilege! When I lived in Italy, people couldn't accept this and tried again and again to make me see the error of my ways but no matter how it was made, I couldn't be convinced. I took a sip or two and couldn't drink any more. Eventually, the mother of the family I was staying with took it upon herself to introduce me to a very chocolatey coffee drink in Turin, telling me that even babies liked it and, maybe, it could be my stepping stone into the world of coffee. She was so excited, I didn't have the heart to say no.

As I expected, it wasn't for me. “Monica,” I said, “I don't think this is for me. I don't really like hot chocolate either, so it's like combining two things I'm not a fan of.”

This horrified her even more. “You don't like hot chocolate either? You've never tried Italian hot chocolate, have you?”     Read More
Posted in: December, Events, Food and Wine, November, Recipes