How will you be bidding farewell to the year 2023? Any travel plans yet? If you are thinking about somewhere unusual in Italy, think of Maremma. It is a beautiful land off the beaten track in southern Tuscany, immersed in nature, yet only a short drive away from art cities like Florence, Pisa, Siena and Rome.
A number of traditional events take place in the Maremma to celebrate Christmas and the arrival of the New Year. Let’s have a look at some of these historic recurrences.
Mercatini di Natale (Christmas markets) – Charming Christmas markets selling everything from hand-crafted goods like toys and decorations to freshly roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and every kind of sweet local delicacies. You will find these in virtually every town, large or small!
Presepe Vivente (Living Créche) – Live re-enactments of the Nativity within the historic city walls. Locals in various cities transform their villages into Bethlehem and play out all aspects of village life at that time. Lovely examples are the Nativity Scenes that you can admire in the hamlets of Porto Ercole, Caldana and Sorano.
Presepe Subacqueo (Underwater Nativity) – Visit the Mediterranean Aquarium of Porto Santo Stefano to learn about the wonderful marine life of the Silver Coast and see the underwater nativity scene set up in one of the aquarium tanks. It is visible from 8 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.
Corriamo con Gesù Bambino (Let’s run with Baby Jesus) – The sea village of Porto Santo Stefano combines religion with sports: a race is organized in which runners carry the statue of Baby Jesus from the secluded Convent of the Padri Passionisti to the village Church (11 km away), where they arrive at midnight for Christmas celebrations.
Fiaccole di Natale (Christmas Torches) – On the night of 24 December of every year, the town of Abbadia San Salvatore lights up with more than 40 bonfires (with woodpiles up to 5 meters high) around which the locals sing Christmas carols and keep warm with wine and traditional local desserts.
The benefits of visiting the Maremma Tuscany for Christmas and New Year’s are that you will find few crowds, pristine nature, historical and cultural riches, affordable airfares, and the coastal area also offers mild temperatures and no snow. This allows you to enjoy the picturesque landscape and all it has to offer, including visiting vineyards and historic wineries, horse riding between the sandy beaches and the nature reserves, and playing golf between the rolling hills.
Welcome, New Year!
For New Year’s, different villages around Maremma Tuscany organize the Capodanno in Piazza, where locals meet in the main square. But the traditional celebrations start before, with a rich and delicious Cenone di San Silvestro (New Year’s Dinner). The design Dama Dama Restaurant in Porto Ercole awaits you for a fantastic San Silvestro dinner followed by a New Year’s Eve Party and a firework show that you can admire from the restaurant’s panoramic terrace.
Looking for a unique place to stay? The Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort offers the “New Year’s Eve in Tuscany” package including.
- A 4-night stay in a design room
- Daily buffet breakfast
- The NYE dinner at the fine-dining Dama Dama Restaurant a special menu and party with music entertainment
- Daily spa access, including heated indoor swimming pool with saline water and gym
Seven uniquely decorated suites are also available with the dedicated Suite Experience package.
Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort is a member of Marriott Bonvoy. This loyalty program allows all travellers to collect points and transform them into benefits, free stays and much more.
Golf lovers might be interested in knowing that the Argentario Golf Club (PGA National Golf Course Italy) hosts the prestigious Christmas Pro Am, during which professional and amateur golfers from all over Italy compete on the Tuscan golf course.
In 2023, Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, the only one with the PGA National Italy recognition, became the first 5-star Resort in Italy and one of the few Golf Resorts in Europe to belong to the golf portfolio of the largest and most prestigious hospitality group in the world, the Marriott International group.
If you have any ideas for New Year’s Eve, in Tuscany or elsewhere, share in the comments below!
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