A magical way to spend the Holidays and the New Year would definitely be in Italy. Holidays here are marked with the spirit of celebration and reverence for which the Italians are well-known for. Since most of the Italians are Catholic their Holidays also have a different approach.
The Christmas season in the country begins with the national holiday on December 8th that marks the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Church all over the country show own unique nativity scene which is locally known as ?prespi.? Hundreds of prespi can be seen in Rome?s Piazza del Popolo and in St. Peters Square.
For those who want to spend the Christmas praying and contemplating, a midnight mass is held at St. Marks Basilica in Venice. Venice?s main Christmas market is at the Campo San Stefano where you can buy all sorts of Italian items, food and souvenirs. Many Italians also listen to the Pope?s Christmas message that is broadcast live at noon as they prepare for a feast. In addition to that, some museums remain open during the Holidays that tourists can see and visit.
Italians love to spend the New Year with food and fireworks. The evening meal may include sausages and lentils whose round shapes symbolize coins that are known to give fortune and wealth for the year ahead.
Classical music is played in Teatro La Fenice in Venice while awaiting the New Year that gives the people a soothing relaxing feel of the season. To view the lights of Italy, a good place to be in is at the Torino. It shows about 20 kilometres of dazzling lights that have been illuminated by the best illumination artists of the country. Seeing the splendid sight will undoubtedly captivate you heart.
Being in Italy for Christmas and New Year will absolutely leave you with an amazing magical feeling.
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