Monuments, good food, and relaxation with us, throughout Italy
Italian art cities are the perfect setting for a weekend of culture, entertainment, museums, and gourmet stops. Genoa, Ferrara, Mantua, Perugia, Salerno, and Lecce offer the ideal mix of culture, romantic atmospheres, and authentic flavors.
Genoa: narrow streets and flavors of the sea
Genoa is an art city that captivates visitors with the largest historic center in Europe, narrow streets that smell of focaccia, and the sea just a stone’s throw away. During the Christmas season, you can stroll through the Old Port, Lanterna, Palazzo Ducale, and Boccadasse, a small fishing village that looks like an open-air nativity scene.
The best food and wine experiences include a lesson in making pesto with a mortar and pestle, a street food tour featuring focaccia, farinata, and panissa, and tastings of Ligurian wines paired with seafood dishes. For relaxation, there are boutique hotels with sea views or spas in the city center, and you can end the day with an ice cream or an aperitif at sunset on the Corso Italia promenade.
Ferrara, slow Renaissance by bicycle
Ferrara is the ideal city of art for a weekend of “slow” relaxation. Its Renaissance historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites you to explore the Estense Castle, the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Diamanti, and the walls, which can be explored on foot or by bicycle, with an intimate atmosphere perfect for winter.
From a food and wine perspective, Ferrara’s cuisine will win you over with pumpkin cappellacci, salama da sugo and maccheroni pasticcio, which can be enjoyed in the trattorias of the historic center. For relaxation, you can choose a farmhouse or a historic residence in the surrounding area, combining a visit to the thermal baths in the nearby towns of the Emilia region or a simple bike ride at sunset along the walls, away from the traffic.
Mantua, elegance between lakes and palaces
Mantua is an intimate and refined city of art, surrounded by lakes that create spectacular reflections, ideal for those looking for a romantic weekend in December. Don’t miss the Ducal Palace with Mantegna’s Camera degli Sposi, the Castle of San Giorgio, Piazza Sordello, and Piazza delle Erbe with the Rotonda di San Lorenzo.
At the table, the Mantua tradition offers pumpkin tortelli, risottos, the famous cotechino vaniglia and sbrisolona, often featured on special menus during the holiday season. For relaxation, many establishments offer rooms with lake views, wellness programs, and mini-cruises or boat trips to admire the city’s skyline from the water, even on the clearest winter days.
Perugia, medieval atmosphere and chocolate
Perugia is the perfect city of art for those who want to immerse themselves in history, hills, and delicious flavors. Its historic center, with Corso Vannucci, Palazzo dei Priori, Fontana Maggiore, and the splendid view from Rocca Paolina, offers a glimpse into the medieval atmosphere of Umbria, often enlivened by markets and Christmas events during this period.
Food and wine experiences revolve around wine and chocolate: Umbrian wine tastings, tours of wine shops and boutiques, and visits to artisan chocolate shops are perfect on colder days. At the table, dishes such as strangozzi al tartufo, Umbrian cured meats, and local cheeses make every lunch a complete experience, while for relaxation there is no shortage of relais with spas in the hills and farmhouses with open fireplaces.
Salerno, Luci d’Artista and the winter sea
Salerno is synonymous with Christmas magic thanks to the famous Luci d’Artista lights that illuminate the historic center, the seafront, and the public gardens, transforming them into a unique luminous path. This city is the perfect destination to experience the spirit of the holidays between the sea and the lights.
The experience continues at the table with fresh fish dishes, Campania seafood cuisine, street food such as cuoppo fritto, and typical Christmas desserts. Between a stroll along the Trieste seafront and the Christmas markets, you can treat yourself to a sea view stay, a romantic dinner, and perhaps a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, which is still quiet at this time of year.
Lecce, Baroque and Christmas traditions
Lecce, with its golden Baroque architecture, is a charming choice for a winter weekend in the heart of Salento. The historic center shines with the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Duomo, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and alleys full of artisan shops, often enriched by nativity scenes and Christmas markets that enliven the city during this period.
On the food and wine front, Lecce’s cuisine offers ciceri e tria, orecchiette, horse meatballs, blue fish, and desserts such as pasticciotto caldo, to be enjoyed in the historic cafes of the city center. For relaxation, you can choose a historic building converted into a boutique hotel with spa or combine your visit to the city with a few hours’ walk along the coast, enjoying the winter sea and the often mild temperatures of Salento.
