Ortisei Christmas Village

Like every year in December, Ortisei turns into the “Christmas Village” and is definitely on of the top Christmas Markets in Italy. In the wooden huts you can discover sculptures, candles and glass objects made by master craftsmen but also South Tyrolean spirits and wines. The Christmas Village combines the historical traditions of Val Gardena with the elegance and exclusivity of the range of products. The “Lodenlounges”, cosy and comfortable wooden huts, invite visitors to experience the market with all five senses, by tasting local products and gastronomic delicacies in a romantic atmosphere.

In the streets of the town, the exhibition of the nativity scenes displayed in the showcase booths is also worth visiting and, as every year, an additional human-sized wooden statue will be added to enrich the largest nativity scene in the world. Open until January 4, 2026.

Merano Christmas Market

Merano in South Tyrol is a town known as a place for relaxation and well-being. They carry this way of life into the holiday season by hosting a market that captures the magic of Christmas. Experience snow reaching the summit of the alpine peaks, community togetherness, and the smell of cinnamon and fresh pastries. The whole town is embellished for the season, and in the central square you can watch figure skating shows or hit the ice yourself. Afterwards, warm up with a cup of tea or mulled wine in the heated booths, while admiring the backdrop of snow-tipped mountains. The sparkling Christmas lights at night are enough to bring visitors, but they also do us a huge favor in selling locally made woolen and wooden goods, in addition to other local crafts. The Merano Christmas Market is open until January 6, 2026

For the three weeks before Christmas – until December 24th – Campo Santo Stefano in Venice is transformed into a Christmas Village,  entirely filled with craftsmen and food producers, whose displays are housed in 30 little wooden cabins. The square is lined with a backdrop picturing Venetian palaces, giving the whole scene a festival atmosphere.

The Venice Christmas Market features Christmas ornaments and decorations of Murano glass, traditional carnival masks, ceramics, jewelry, marbled paper and other Venetian craft specialties. Murano glass is also used in jewelry, alone or worked into designs with silver and gold. Carnival masks can be as simple as the red, gold and black eye masks or elaborate creations from the studios of all the town.

One section of the Campo San Stefano market is devoted to Italian specialty foods – traditional cakes and sweets, fine olive oils, vintage balsamic vinegars and other locally made gourmet products fill the booths. Look for creamy white almond-studded nougat, fruit-filled Panettone from nearby Verona, bags of specialty Pastas, tiny Biscotti, dried Porcini Mushrooms, candied Chestnuts and delicacies made with precious white Truffles from Alba. Open until December 24, 2025.

Rome Christmas Market

The Eternal City’s most famous markets are in the Piazza Navona, built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian and now home to three spectacular fountains. During the season, the square transforms into a bustling, colorful shopping spot, selling nativity scenes and Christmas sweets, like biscuits and nougat. Wander around and watch the street artists and acrobats and of course, visit Santa Claus. But be sure to come back on January 6, when Befana hands out presents to good kids and coal to the not-so-good ones. Rome’s Christmas Market (the link on Rome’s website has not been updated yet) at Piazza Navona is open until January 6, 2026.

Naples Nativity Scene

Known for its rich history, incredible architecture and mouth-watering Neapolitan cuisine, Naples city center is bustling with vibrant energy, creating a unique holiday experience. In December, the city becomes a festive hub at the Naples Christmas Market, where visitors can explore wooden stalls filled with artisanal crafts and traditional Italian holiday foods. Definitely one of the top Christmas Markets.

If you’re one of those people who think Christmas is over too quickly, Naples is the city for you! Famous for their nativity scenes, or presepi, they have a year-round Christmas “market”. Shops and entire streets offer the traditional figurines every month of the year. Starting around mid-November, the street Via San Gregorio truly enhances the holiday feels! Get lost among the many market stands and shops selling local treats. Stroll down the narrow alleyways and then check out the live nativity scene is Piazza S. Gaetano.

Taormina Christmas Market

Taormina, though beautiful all year round, becomes even more magical in Christmas time, and it’s a great spot for those who prefer mild temperatures to snow. During December and through Epiphany, a folkloric atmosphere takes over the small, hilltop town with concerts, exhibitions, nativity scenes, and historical enactments. The stands are full of sweets, like Sicilian cakes, crafts, and everything you need to decorate for the season.

Trace your way through history while navigating the medieval streets in the ‘Presepe Vivente’ where the nativity scene comes to life throughout the city, incorporating the entire community. Enjoy the symbolic tradition of lighting the Christmas bonfire in front of Duomo di Taormina. While enjoying the breathtaking sea views and Mt. Etna from the city center and admiring the twinkling lights and decorations interwoven with the ancient buildings, Taormina is the embodiment of Christmas time. Open until January 6, 2026.

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And so even in the city you can feel a little bit of vacation, sipping a drink at sunset or daring the last swims in the pool, strictly with a view. For those who do not resign themselves to the end of summer, here are some of the most interesting and best rooftops in Italy where you can enjoy the view and relax.

Merano, wellness and panoramas

Those who are planning a mountain getaway to take advantage of the last mild days can make a reservation at Hotel Therme Merano, South Tyrol’s only spa hotel, which on the top floor counts on the Sky Spa’s panoramic terrace with breathtaking views of the city’s rooftops and the surrounding mountains. Here, after relaxing in the infinity pool or with a massage, you can try the cocktails offered by the barman such as the Sky Aperitif made with limoncello produced directly by the hotel, Prosecco and Bio Lemon. Or, choose the non-alcoholic Healthy with apple, ginger, cucumber and lemon.

Milan, drinks with a skyline view

The atmosphere becomes decidedly more metropolitan and contemporary in Milan, where there are several spots from which to admire the Milanese skyline with a cocktail in hand.

Going up to the 13th floor of the Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale there is a terrace, 131 feet high, where you will find the Organics SkyGarden, a project that aims to mix art, music, fashion, flavor and design, born from the organic and non-alcoholic beverages The Organics by Red Bull. The terrace is open daily from 6pm to midnight and also hosts live music and DJ sets. The Organics SkyGarden rooftop is also present in Rome at the Aleph Hotel and in Courmayeur at the intermediate station of Skyway Monte Bianco, Pavillon The Mountain.

Also in Milan, one of the scenic novelties is Vertigo, the new rooftop of the nhow Milano hotel in the Tortona District, a district now with a focus on fashion and design among its revamped industrial architecture. The terrace with its 8.000 square feet of space, houses 3 circular pools, a lounge area with cocktail bar, a solarium area and an Infinity Pool.

Casa Baglioni Milan, the latest address from the Baglioni Hotels & Resorts collection, has officially launched its new Milanese rooftop bar: Casa Baglioni Rooftop by Sadler. Nestled within the iconic Brera district – the only local rooftop serving Michelin-starred gastronomy – Rooftop by Sadler offers breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic views of Milan’s most iconic landmarks, including the Duomo Cathedral and the skyline of Porta Nuova. It is open daily from 6pm to 1am and offers guests some of the Chef’ Claudio Sadler’s iconic dishes as well as a selection of signature cocktails.

Tuscan rooftop in Lucca

An aperitif overlooking the Tuscan skyline is the experience offered by the historic hotel Grand Universe Lucca. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant city, Grand Universe Lucca offers breathtaking views of Saint Martino’s Cathedral, all the churches, monuments, and towers. Take in sweeping views of Lucca’s historic city center and the majestic Piazza del Giglio as you enjoy a glass of champagne under the open sky at our luxurious hotel’s rooftop bar. The Sommità Martin Orsyn Champagne rooftop overlooks Piazza Napoleone and is an ideal place to relax after a tour of the city.

Rome, dinner with the Eternal City

Fall is sweet in Rome and you can savor it even after shopping in Rinascente on Via del Tritone. Going up to the top floor at Maio Restaurant & Rooftop, you can taste among the different specialties brand new dishes such as Cacio e Pepe Risotto with lime and chopped purple prawn, crispy egg Carbonara with Falisco pecorino cream, four peppers and crispy bacon.
The new menu features different options from morning to evening, for experiences to be associated with different moments of the day. Between contemporary design and city views, the restaurant is located on the 6th and 7th floors of Rinascente Roma and is open from 10 am until dinner.

Immerse in your personal Dolce Vita at the rooftop of Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora, right on top of the noble, iconic Via Veneto and next door to the Villa Borghese gardens and the 2000-year-old historic Roman walls. The Flora Roof Restaurant & Cocktail Bar is the terrace of a palace that was once the Ludovisi family’s hunting lodge. It has reopened its verandas to guests. There are at least three ways to experience this rooftop in the heart of the capital: a breakfast with the lights of the Roman sunrise, an unusual aperitif on the rooftops of the historic center or a dinner with the backdrop of the ‘Dome. 
The new open-air tasting and mixology ‘living room’ has a lounge area on one side and a restaurant area on the other, with a menu curated by the Neapolitan chef Massimo Piccolo.

Palazzo Ripetta, the new 5-star hotel in the center of Rome, inaugurates the Etere rooftop. Located between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna, the hotel is inside a building which housed the Conservatorio della Divina Provvidenza in the 17th century; became a hotel in the 1960s after its renovation by architect Luigi Moretti and in 2020 jumped into the luxury segment thanks to a major redevelopment desired by the owners, the Ginobbi Group. The structure and the 78 rooms and suites were redesigned according to the standards of luxury hospitality: design, comfort and refined materials.

Now, with the inauguration of the terrace, Palazzo Ripetta Etere offers its customers a location with a view of the city’s history. Hidden on the fourth floor of Palazzo Ripetta, Etere, the new rooftop of the hotel is a mix of flair and design that concretizes the expression of the wine bar par excellence in shapes, structures and furnishings that in shades of red and gray run along the terrace, characterizing it and making it unique. Deliberately informal, Etere is an open-air cellar, where the selection of the bar is the master and the proposal of Executive Chef Marco Ciccotelli is an absolute certainty.

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With the abundance of hotels and destinations, it’s easy to lose track. Would I prefer an active vacation with sauna in the evening? Or rather culinary experiences with friends? Do I dream of luxury and relaxation or am I looking for relaxation in nature? But which hotel and destination suits me best? We might have the answer. Tell us which vacation type you are – and discover the most beautiful hotels according to your wishes!

Sustainability

Slow travel as a lifestyle

Sustainability is not a trend for you, but a lifestyle. Do you value regional food, are you careful about what you consume, and do you want a hotel that is also conscious and climate-neutral in its approach to life? Here are two hotels that will make you happy. That’s a promise!

The Alpin & Relax Hotel Gerstl in the Val Venosta puts great value on regional food from the immediate surroundings. Whether in the infinity pool, the natural bathing pond or the sauna, the mountain view is always included. Recharge your batteries, feel tranquility and absolute liberty. At this place, where familiar hospitality, modern style, South Tyrolean tradition and strong holiday emotions are unified, the beauty of life is put in the center of attention, every day.

Montivas Lodge in Livigno is built entirely from ecologically valuable materials. In addition to a completely sustainable energy concept, a first-class organic breakfast awaits you in the morning. At Montivas Lodge ethics meets aesthetics. The building was built exclusively using environmentally friendly materials to make your sustainable holiday and the words go for green a reality.

Wellness

Warm and cozy

Every visit to the sauna is relaxation for you. Nothing relaxes you more in the winter months than pleasant scents and cozy warmth? Then off you go to the Garberhof in South Tyrol. A unique spa with a large pool area and sauna worlds awaits you here. The special thing: Italy’s largest Hamam, which takes you to a world of ethereal scents and a special cleansing ritual. Surrounded by sunny orchards, the hotel merges with the scenic beauty of South Tyrol. It’s an oasis of tranquility where you will find the ideal conditions to experience a feeling of total freedom.

The Cyprianerhof in the Dolomites of South Tyrol is a wonderful place to unwind. Here you can not only look forward to the breathtaking panorama of the Rosengarten, but also to the brand new Similde Spa. Jump into the pool with Dolomite water, enjoy an infusion in the glass sauna or a bubble bath in the whirlpool – mountain view included. The close connection to nature is reflected in the hotel. The impressive Catinaccio/Rosengarten rises impressively in front of the 5-star hotel. It is a sight that inspires the eyes and touches the soul.

Luxury

No wishes remain unfulfilled

No infinity pool, no you. When you go on vacation, it may – no, must – be unique and luxurious. True luxury can be experienced at the five-star Hotel Fanes in the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Whether in the sky pool or in the private whirlpool: Here you relax at the highest level. The hotel in Alta Badia, in the heart of the Dolomites, lies in the picturesque scenery of the village of San Cassiano. It is a charming and elegant destination where you breathe a centuries-old art of welcoming. A precious place for regeneration and special attentions.

Alternatively, head to Lake Garda: The Quellenhof Luxury Resort Lazise awaits you with an excellent pool and wellness paradise on 21,000 square feet. You can sleep in luxurious suites and glamorous private villas. It’s Dolce Vita pure at Lake Garda. Surrounded by olive trees, above the small medieval village of Lazise and only a few minutes away from the extensive southeast shore of Lake Garda.

Design

Here beats the aesthetic heart

You love design and innovative ideas. When choosing your hotel, aesthetics also play a role. The more inspiring, the better. The Parkhotel Holzner in South Tyrol is sure to make your design heart leap for joy. Let yourself be captivated by the charm of the Gründerzeit and discover modern elements in the midst of history. Built in 1908, the hotel is located 4,000 feet above sea level on Ritten Mountain, and offers a stunning view of pastures and forests, lovely hills, and rugged mountain peaks. It is an alpine refuge surrounded by fresh mountain air and ancient giant trees. All that only a 15-minutes cable-car ride from the city center of Bolzano.

Another tip: Hotel Muchele near Merano. 40 modern suites and excellent food await you. Wine lovers, architecture fans and free-spirited souls love the easy-going atmosphere that prevails here. Best of all, if you like the Moroso furnishings, you can buy a few pieces right away. A hotel as a showroom, so to speak. If that’s not something for design lovers. Hotel Muchele is part of the Vinum Hotels South Tyrol, top vacation addresses for everyone who wants to experience wine culture up close.

Water

Time out by the lake

Whenever you sit by the water, you are happy. A vacation without sea or lake – hardly imaginable! Then off to Lake Garda to the five-star luxury hotel EALA in Limone sul Garda. This exclusive 5-Star L hotel on Lake Garda is inspired by and owes its name to a wonderful animal that has always lived on the shores of Lake Garda: the swan, eala in Celtic. Enjoy the view in the spa or while swimming in the infinity pool. If you prefer to jump directly into the lake, a private beach area on the lakeside awaits you. In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of the two restaurants – with a view of the lake, of course.

A bit further north, near Bolzano, the Hotel Seeleiten welcomes you to Lake Caldaro. Two lake accesses including a sunbathing lawn and beach bar ensure wonderful days on the water. Directly in front of the hotel on Lake Caldaro there is a wonderful, spacious Mediterranean park with numerous secluded retreats that invite you to relax and sunbathe. The heated natural swimming pool in the green holiday oasis provides pleasant refreshment in between. You can also go out on a pedal boat or rowing boat, or on one of the hotel’s own stand-up paddles.

Wine & Dine

La Dolce Vita

For this vacation type we travel a bit further south. Vacation means for you: Dolce Vita! You want to enjoy the days, be pampered with culinary delights and just enjoy. Then you should definitely go to the Boutique Hotel Castello di Semivicoli in Abruzzo. A place that is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet and wine lovers. There are only eleven individual, charming rooms. During the day the main thing here is to enjoy life – with good food and even better wine. Visit the Masciarelli winery estate and cellar or, during the grape harvest, watch and appreciate the development of their wines, from the vineyards to your table, through a constant and patient work. If you want to enjoy the flavors of Abruzzo, they organize dedicated cooking classes. For explorers they provide bike rental and organize excursions and guided tours.

If you prefer a livelier atmosphere, you can stay at one of the five hotels in the Lungarno Collection. Whether in Florence or Rome, here you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city and a luxury hotel in one. From romantic spaces to an eclectic taste of the contemporary, from classic Italian style to a new concept of bespoke hospitality, each hotel in this exquisite collection boasts a unique personality.

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Who does not know them, the porticos of Merano in South Tyrol? Colorful arcades, historical flair, lively and popular as ever. The medieval Laubengasse is one of the oldest shopping streets in the world: for more than 800 years, goods have been sold in the arcades. Lavishly decorated facades, colorfully painted wooden shutters, archways and oriels from a wide variety of stylistic eras transform the 1,300-feet long shopping mile into a living open-air museum. In the historic center of Merano, directly in the “Lauben”, are the new Kuntino Suites with the in-house Kuntinos Café. And with the upcoming Merano Christmas Market there is one more reason to visit.

In 1956, the Kuntner family opened a shoe store here in the Lauben, which still exists today. In 2015, the family acquired the building at Lauben 309, right next to the shoe store, and had it extensively restored. Architects and designers have combined, with great sensitivity, the valuable remains of the past with modern comfort and high-quality interior. With the Kuntino Suites they created a special jewel box in the heart of Merano. At only 25 years of age, the daughter of the house, Aurelie Kuntner, took over the responsibility for the Kuntino Suites – typical South Tyrol, because here the melding of tradition and modernity is not a tactic, but rather a local attitude to life.

Photo: Patrick Schwienbacher

Nine individual and luxurious suites in the heart of the old town of Merano

In the nine suites, the history of the house is carefully preserved and at the same time offers an aesthetic contrast: vaulted ceilings, artistic tiled stoves and antiques merge with clear lines and modern comfort to create a literally stylish ambience. Tranquility spreads behind the historic walls, although the pulse of the spa town beats directly in front of the mighty entrance door on the first floor. Some of the suites have a small terrace or balcony facing the backyard, where only the chirping of birds can be heard.

All suites have a kitchen equipped with the most important utensils as well as a bathroom with shower or bathtub, WiFi, safe, bathrobes, bath sandals and comfort zone cosmetics.

Well served and “Hetz hobn”* – Food & Drink

The in-house Café Kuntinos is located directly below the suites. Through the glass facade in the stairwell, you can already see whether a seat is still available. Or, you can sit outside, under the porticos. Guests of the Kuntino Suites can enjoy healthy bowls, Bruschetta, Piadine (small sandwiches), freshly squeezed juices and delicious 100% Arabica coffee to start the day.

The hostess of the Kuntino Suites, Aurelie Kuntner, is standing behind the counter, together with Christian Comper, who has mixed cocktails and served delicious aperitifs in legendary bars like Icebergs in Sydney. For lunch and dinner, guests will find a wide range of options.

Aurelie Kuntner personally advises each guest and reserves a table in the desired location. The South Tyrolean cuisine is known for its Mediterranean influence. In Merano you will find Michelin-starred restaurants as well as down-to-earth inns with traditional cuisine. Fine wines from the local wineries are ideal companions for the dishes.

*having fun

In and around Merano, in the heart of South Tyrol – activities and destination

In Merano, Dolce Vita and Mediterranean effortlessness meet the customs and traditions of the Alps. Between palm trees and snow-capped mountain peaks, medieval arcades and magnificent buildings of the Belle Époque line up. Right from the city, you can take a chairlift which leads to Dorf Tirol, where the mountains are within reach. Even without the chairlift, it is easy to conquer the mountain world directly from the Kuntino Suites. The Tappeinerweg, one of the longest and most beautiful high-altitude promenades in Europe, begins just a few meters from the Lauben. Cypresses, pines and panoramic views of Merano characterize this path.

Merano 2000, the skiing and hiking area located above the city, offers vacationers a wide range of sporting opportunities – thanks to mountain bike routes, hiking trails, via ferratas and summit destinations. For those interested in culture, a piece of the city’s history already opens up in the arcades. The diverse cultural offerings range from the Merano Spring Festival to the Grape Festival, the Merano Music Weeks to the Merano Wine Festival. Vacationers can explore the multitude of castles, palaces, gardens and parks on guided tours or on their own.

Merano Christmas

Speaking of cultural offerings, the traditional Merano Christmas Market awaits you in the pre-Christmas season along the enchanting promenade. Around 80 wooden booths display a wide range of gift ideas between the 1st Advent and the beginning of January, creating a very special Christmas atmosphere.

The numerous booths in the old town and along the Kurpromenade offer some special drinks and food: you can enjoy a honey wine or try a “Feuerzangenbowle” and taste some grilled buckwheat dumplings. In addition, there are textiles, jewelry, ceramics and articles made of wood.

Special features are the digital Advent calendar, the parade of Krampus and St. Nicholas at the beginning of December, and the glow of lights in Merano. The little guests, on the other hand, have been thought of at the Merano Christmas with activities suitable for children which will light up their eyes.

The Merano region is particularly characterized by its mild climate. In this sunny area – 300 days of sunshine a year are not uncommon – spring arrives very early, winter very late. In addition, the air of the region is particularly fresh and healing. The Kuntino Suites are an ideal starting point to experience Merano and its surroundings. The Kuntino Suites in Merano are part of the Vinum Hotels South Tyrol.  

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