Bolzano

A visit to the city of Bolzano during winter feels like walking into a Christmas card.

Decorated, pastel-colored houses line narrow streets with a backdrop of snowy mountains. Bolzano’s Christmas markets, which have now been running for 29 years, are some of the best-loved in Italy.

Naples

This southern Italian metropolis partakes in a particular Christmas tradition that makes it an essential winter destination. The festive period in Naples sees thousands of elaborate model nativity scenes set up in churches, shop windows, and restaurants.

Turin

As well as being a gateway to ski resorts in the Alps, this city in northwest Italy is a winter destination in itself.  During the festive season, the annual Luci d’Artista illuminate the city with creative lighting displays that are far from the Christmas lights that garishly adorn many cities.

Rome

As the center of the Catholic faith, Rome is a particularly fitting place to spend the winter festivities if you want to avoid an over-commercialized yuletide.

The square in front of St. Peter’s Church hosts a spectacular nativity scene and a giant Christmas tree while there is also an exhibition of 100 presepi in Vaticano.

Ferrara

This city in the region of Emilia Romagna is subjected to thick fog during the winter months, which can be very romantic — well, at least for a few days.  Through the misty medieval streets, warm yellow lights flicker hazily from cozy bars and restaurants, such as the wooden beamed Ai Brindisi, which claims to be the oldest osteria (inn) in the world.

Verona

As the home of Romeo and Juliet, Verona is known as the city of romance. During the winter the festive lights and decorations add yet more poetry to its attractions. Visitors can see Juliet’s balcony in an enclosed courtyard, as well as make a pilgrimage to Juliet’s tomb in the monastery of San Francesco al Corso.

Florence

There’s nothing enjoyable about being hit with a selfie stick, so avoid Florence and its crowds in the summer and head to the city in the depths of winter.  You’ll have some breathing space in the magnificent Uffizi art gallery, where you can get up close to paintings by Botticelli and Raphael.