Winter is a marvellous season to visit Tuscany. It’s a time when you can mix with the locals, bundle up and enjoy brisk walks in the fresh crisp air along quieter streets. The frosty landscape is a stunning glistening backdrop for the historic art towns and cities which are beautifully lit up for the holiday season and full of festivity with their traditional Christmas markets.

The trattorias and osterias are ready to serve their seasonal specialties which include some of their most scrumptious desserts and the street vendors and cosy cafés will draw you in with the irresistible scents of vin brulé, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts. The winter cuisine will be sure to keep you warm, satisfied and ready to explore but, when you’re ready for a break, you can stop to enjoy the uncrowded museums, theatres and exhibitions or the shops and outlets with their January sales.

Keep in mind, winter is also the perfect season to partake in wine tasting in towns like Montalcino, truffle hunting in the area of Mugello and cooking classes in and around Florence. Take some time and invest in wellbeing at one of the Thermal Baths and Spas in and around Tuscany, where the cold days make it the best time of year to simply soak the world away. The Montecatini Terme Town & Spa Day is just one of a few perfect options.

Thinking of treats, many Tuscans will tell you that February and March are the months dedicated to fritelle, cenci and castagnole because they are the specialties baked to celebrate Carnival Season and, if you are a chocolate lover, the ‘Chocolate Valley’ in Pisa, Prato and Pistoia should be on your itinerary. This area is home to prestigious chocolate makers like Torrefazione Trinci, Amedei and other high quality producers.

Believe it or not, Tuscany has even more to offer in the winter with Abetone and its peaks of almost 2,000 meters! This lovely little ski resort near Florence is suitable for all levels and, due to its small size, offers very competitive prices and a warm family atmosphere. Closer to Val d’Orcia, you’ll find Monte Amiata, another nice location where you can enjoy a variety of winter sports.

Why not come to Tuscany for your next winter holiday and raise a glass of spumante to toast the New Year in Italian style!

MAIN EVENTS

• During the holiday season, almost every town in Tuscany organises a festive Christmas market where countless stalls sell the high quality local products and crafts. The traditional German style Weihnachtsmarkt market in Florence, along with the markets in Montepulciano and Siena’s Piazza del Campo are among the most popular.
• Pitti Immagine is one of the world’s most important platforms for fabrics, clothing and accessory collections. This exclusive fashion event is held twice a year (January and June) in Florence’s Fortezza da Basso.
• On January 6^th, celebrations for the Roman Catholic Epiphany take place throughout the country and many cities have celebrations in the main squares. Florentines celebrate this religious holiday with the Cavalcade of the Wise Men procession which passes through the historical centre of the city
• February is the month of Carnival and, while the most famous is in Venice, many towns celebrate it with masked parades and decorated streets. Viareggio Carnival is one of the biggest of Italy and the city comes alive with its parades, fireworks and a flower show. The carnival of Foiano della Chiana, near Arezzo, has been taking place since the Middle Ages and is one of the oldest carnivals in the country. Carnevale in other towns and cities are smaller, but locals do enjoy dressing up in colourful costumes and marching through the streets.

ADVICE

-See our Destinations, Experiences and Day Trips for more fantastic ideas.

-Museum visits are best pre-booked and a richer experience if you choose a guided tour with an art expert.

-Siesta is a part of Italy and some shops are closed from 1pm to 4:00pm.

Contact Tuscany Travelist if you want to save time, remove the stress of driving and the frustration of finding parking during your holiday or day trip. Let us know the dates and we’ll give you a free estimate for your transportation. If you book with us, we’ll be happy to assist you in perfecting your travel plans.