FLORENCE, Italy — The Florentines sure know how to add a little pizzazz to the cold winter. To add a holiday touch to the season’s dominant black winterwear, they use accessories like pins in the shape of Christmas symbols — Christmas trees, stockings and grapes. And why not, all of Florence is alive and colorful, and ready for the holidays.
Florence at Christmas stimulates all the senses. The city is filled with exciting sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the holidays. Known for artisan work, Florence has all kinds of products for the season and stores display personal and unique gifts.
The city is packed with handmade products from arts to crafts, accessories, fashion items, sweets and food. You know Christmas is here as the gigantic tree at Piazza Duomo kicks off the season. The entire city is festive, the old streets are brilliantly lit with thousands of lights that seem to cover the Florentine sky, store windows are decorated with the theme of the season, and singers and musicians bring Christmas cheer at almost every main piazza.
Caldarosta, which is Italian slang for roasted chestnuts sold on the streets, fills the air with the scent of the holidays. The city is full of various events and activities everyone can enjoy. You can appreciate concerts at churches, concert halls and even right on the streets. These venues feature not only holiday music but also classical and opera in a candlelit setting.
You can also view the Nativity scene in nearly any church. Special presippi displays recreating the Nativity is a vital part of Italian tradition. Also, museums and art galleries feature particular exhibits, presentations, workshops and special activities. Explore the different Christmas markets around the city. Admire the ornaments that embellish the stores and their windows. Delight in the opera Boheme, which is usually featured at St. Mark’s Church on Christmas Day.
Start your experience at the Christmas market in one of my favorite squares, Piazza Santa Croce. Wooden-house stands typical of the Christmas market in the German city of Heidelberg fill the square with Italian and international knick-knacks. Sample mulled wine, typical Christmas biscuits, panforte, strudel and panettone in the market.
Enjoy a walk around the city center and compare the lights illuminating the various streets. Standouts are via Pietrapiena, via del Corso, via Cavour, via degli Strozzi, via Tournabuoni, via della Vigna Nuova and via della Spada. Take pleasure in the special sweets prepared only at Christmas and take a pick from the traditional treats at Scudieri at Piazza Duomo, Gilli at Piazza della Repubblica, Robiglio at via dei Servi and Badiani at viale dei Mille. The visit is not complete without a perfect cup of cappuccino or hot chocolate with cream. Satisfy your sweet cravings on the traditional Christmas cake, panettone at Grom, via delle Oche. The original recipe of organic egg yolk, raisins, candied lemons and oranges is made into ice cream. Just delicious!
Florence knows how to celebrate Christmas. It is full of tradition and special activities observed throughout the season. It is an experience that is truly unforgettable.
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