Christmas in Tuscany: A Mini Series, Part II

Matt, our local “insider,” is back with a follow-up to our Christmas in Tuscany series. For those looking for a unique holiday destination, Tuscany is a superb choice. Why? All that skiing works up a huge appetite – and what better place in the world to be on vacation, pleasantly tired, and hungry all at the same time than in the Tuscan region?

Here’s Matt…

The first article of this mini series dedicated on spending your Christmas in Tuscany started talking about the summer that was slightly fading away. Well, I did not imagine it would fade so slow! The summer season in Tuscany actually lasted until the beginning of October, with people swimming in the beautiful Mediterranean and tanning on the beach. Even today, as I am writing, the weather is so warm that if it were not for the falling leaves I’d say we are going into summer again.

Does this mean the upcoming winter is going to be extremely cold? This is what usually happens in Tuscany. After a long and warm fall the winter cold hits suddenly and bites hard, bringing quite a bit of snow on Tuscan mountains. Even the city starts getting its share of snow from the end of December onwards.

During the last two years snow started falling on December 19 covering cities like Florence, Siena and Montepulciano and creating a spectacular effect. The white blanket lasted just a tad over the Holiday season, which in Italy ends on January 6. To see the street Christmas markets from Austria and Germany while it was snowing was just the perfect atmosphere making for a spectacular sight to remember.

However, if you want to enjoy the very best of the snow season in Tuscany you should go to the Abetone or Amiata mountains, which are among the most famous in the region. The Abetone is by far the best mountain, with spectacular views and slopes for all skiing expertise.

Once one of the poorest mountain areas of the region, it is now a renown ski resort with hotels, inns and mountain chalets to rent for romantic snow holidays in Tuscany. Moreover, the once humble villages built with local stone preserve their original appearance and include all modern amenities for a relaxing vacation on white slopes.

Their interiors have been carefully restored and brought to contemporary living standards, so if you decide to rent one you are sure to get all the comforts you need.

You will find typical restaurants serving mountain recipes, so different from the usual Tuscany menu. Chestnuts, polenta, game, mushrooms, local cold cuts and cheese, mountain syrups and jams are just some of the delicacies you can taste during your refreshing journey on the mountains of Tuscany.

Ski lovers will be able to enjoy a full week of skiing crossing mount Abetone to get to Mount Cimone and the other mountains nearby. A modern lifts network grants a comfortable and fast climbing service, while welcoming restaurants along slopes are the perfect spots to rest and have a rich lunch.

The Amiata mountain is lower and offers fewer slopes than Abetone. It is the perfect destination for families with kids learning to ski and for couples looking for a characteristic place to hide away. Amiata offers some of the most delicious towns, such as Abbadia San Salvatore, which during the Christmas season comes alive with religious and folkloric reenactments.

The fires of San Salvatore, during New Years Eve, are famous for their large size. Huge piles of wood are lit up and let burn through the night throughout this little Tuscan village. All night long you can stay out while the fire and hot spicy wine is served with roasted chestnuts warm you up. Music, street markets and other events make this evening among the most sought for in Tuscany.

Amiata is also famous for Bagni San Filippo, a pool of springing thermal waters placed in the middle of the woods. The setting is totally natural and does not include any resort or comforts, but here you can relax in any season thanks to the hot waters. Night baths are especially romantic.

Do not miss out on the opportunity of spending your Christmas Holidays on the Tuscan mountain, and live a vacation out of the ordinary.

Matt lives in and writes from Italy where he lists villas Tuscany coast.

Country Vacations and Resorts

Read more at Country Vacations and Resorts