5 villages to immerse yourself in the fairy-tale atmosphere of the Christmas Markets: soft lights, toys and gifts, decorations and presents while Christmas melodies waft through the air accompanied by the spicy scent of mulled wine
Advent is the most atmospheric time of the year, the time when villages look like miniature nativity scenes and there is no age limit to get excited. There are so many fairy-tale Italian villages dotted with wooden cottages or colorful booths: we suggest 5 really unmissable ones for this Christmas.
1. Christmas markets of Rango (Trento)
In the village of Rango, the Christmas Markets are pure magic, with Christmas music playing along the village streets and Santa Lucia waiting for the children. Just a few kilometers from Lake Garda, the Terme di Comano spa and Madonna di Campiglio, Rango is a small, jewel-like village nestled in the mountains, a handful of expertly preserved houses connected by atmospheric hallways, porticoes and narrow alleys. In Rango the Christmas Markets come to life in the old farmhouses, exceptionally open for the occasion. In the cellars, old stables, under the porches and in the attics camp stalls full of typical products and local crafts. Also not to be missed are the traditional ‘taverns’ with the gastronomic delicacies of the Trentino peasant tradition.
2. Christmas markets at the Ricetto di Candelo (Biella)
Time has stood still in Ricetto di Candelo in the province of Biella. The village is a jewel, one of the best-preserved examples of ricetto, a type of medieval structure found in several locations in Piedmont. With high evocative power, the ricetto is usually a fortified structure within a village, and the Ricetto of Candelo is an extraordinary icon of this with breathtaking views of the entire area of the Biellese Pre-Alps to the north and, heading south, of the Baraggione. On the occasion of Christmas, the village comes alive and its “Mercatino al Ricetto” intrigues adults and children alike by welcoming them to the village’s characteristic streets. Music and events dedicated to the whole family are scheduled.
3. Christmas Markets of Bard (Aosta)
Advent is a great time to visit the village of Bard and its beautiful fortress, dating back to the early 19th century. To get to the top of the fortress, just go to the panoramic glass elevators that from the village of Bard – at the foot of the fortress – provide access to the various bodies of the fortress. Christmas, here, is special, with many initiatives for the whole family and for the entire holiday period, thanks also to the charming “Christmas Markets of Bard” positioned in the streets of the village with many stalls full of typical products, hobbies and items for original gift ideas. Light games and nativity scenes help create an evocative Christmas atmosphere.
4. Christmas markets in Vipiteno (Bolzano)
The Tower of Twelve, which stands out in the town’s main square, is the backdrop for the Sterzing Christmas Markets. The streets of the old town during Advent come alive with lights and colors as craftsmanship triumphs with a nativity scene composed of figurines made entirely by hand. And Christmas Markets in Sterzing also means a carriage ride through the village, appreciating the delicious delicacies such as speck or warm apple juice, while the scent of fir trees infuses magic. A plunge into excitement and under the banner of environmental protection: in fact, the Sterzing Christmas market has been certified “Green event” for several years now.
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5. Christmas market in Montepulciano (Siena)
It is perched among the hills in the province of Siena, Montepulciano, and it is a village that reveals many surprises during Advent. There are about eighty little wooden houses dotting the streets of the village, in which the magical lights of ‘Christmas of Montepulciano’ are turned on every year with Advent. A fairy-tale atmosphere that pervades the entire historic center and allows you to visit one of the largest Christmas markets in Tuscany and with a treat, the ‘Santa Claus Castle’. A chance to spend time with the family, browsing the market stalls that overflow with Christmas and gift suggestions. Also not to be missed are the local food and wine excellences to be sampled in the centuries-old cellars of the village.
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