When it comes to food, pizza is Italy’s ambassador to the world. Tucking into a warm slice of pizza is to take a bite of the Italian dream. There are many different types of pizza to order but there’s only one pizza above all others in terms of its taste, history, craft, and simplicity: Neapolitan pizza.
On January 5th throughout Italy, excited children prepare for a late-night visit from La Befana by hanging up socks to be filled with small delights. Befana, a grandmotherly woman who resembles a kindly witch, brings gifts to good little children, depositing them in stockings hung above the hearth, then tidying up a bit before taking her leave.
Traditional Italian Christmas food isn’t just a meal — it’s more of an event. In Italy, Christmas eating starts at lunchtime then continues well into the night.
There are a lot of dishes to keep track of if you’re thinking of creating your own Italian Christmas menu. We’ll break down the anatomy of this holiday meal, so that you’re better prepared to experience, eat, enjoy, and perhaps even prepare some dishes if you’re feeling inspired.
What is traditional Christmas food in Italy? Let’s take a look.
Considering spicing things up for your Christmas holidays? Whether enjoying the snow of the Alps or getting a break from the cold by hitting a warmer destination like Sicily down South, Christmas in Italy can be magnificent. We’ll take you through a few select Italy winter destinations for an unforgettable winter holiday.
There are many Italian Christmas traditions including the legend of La Befana, but have you ever heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes? This tradition connects back to the long-standing Italian tradition of vigilia, a day of fasting that ends with a meal that excludes meat and dairy. After a full day of fasting on Christmas Eve, imagine the vigil night of December 24 as an endless feast of fish and pasta to fill hungry bellies.
Whether you're on your own pilgrimage or merely interested in art and architecture, we take you through some of Italy's most famous cathedrals, splendid churches and breathtaking basilicas you must visit on your trip. Let's dive into some of the most important holy sites Italy has to offer.
Taking the train in Italy connects you to the daily life of everyday Italians. In Italy, train travel is a common form of transportation between cities. High-speed trains are so commonplace now that it’s the most convenient way to travel from city-centre to city-centre— no more worrying about traffic, directions, or missing a flight.
Meet the Locals
Rome is known as the Eternal City but, like any other city, it had a finite beginning and a modest one at that. Archaeologists have found traces of human habitation in the area for at least 5,000 years. Dig a little deeper anywhere in the city and you’ll find layers and layers of evidence of Romans living and dying throughout the ages.
In its earliest incarnation, Rome was a rather primitive settlement on the banks of the Tiber River, where early inhabitants engaged in trade — bringing goods to the village and exporting goods elsewhere by boat.
There’s an Italian wine proverb — nella botte piccola c’è il vino buono. It means: “In small barrels, there’s good wine.” A very Italian way of saying good things come in small packages. Vineyards in Italy have long been producing small batch wines that are only available to locals, the wine-producers themselves, or lucky visitors to the area. Let’s take a look at some unique Italian wines that are only available on a visit to Italy.
Tuscany - Variazioni in Rosso dell’Ornellaia
