La Bella Vita is our regular look at the real culture of Italy – from language to cuisine, manners to art. This newsletter is published weekly, and you can receive it directly to your inbox by going to newsletter preferences in ‘My Account’ or following the instructions in the newsletter box below.
In many parts of the world that celebrate Christmas, nativity scenes are synonymous with small figurines or wooden sets that appear on mantelpieces during advent.
But Italy has a long history of going all out with its presepi (nativity scenes), as different parts of the country compete to put their own unique spin on the traditional tableau.
From giant sculptures made of sand or ice to 'living' nativities brought to life by actors, here are 11 of Italy's most original nativity scenes worth checking out this year.
Italy's best 'presepi': 11 Christmas nativity scenes you need to see
As winter gets underway, people in Italy will want to take advantage of all the seasonal experiences ithe country has to offer: starting with sampling traditional Christmas foods.
Frequent visitors will be well acquainted with panettone and its rival pandoro – but you'll also want to make sure you track down other festive treats like torrone nougat, panforte fruitcake, and struffoli dough balls.
And for those who want to unwind with a view, it's worth paying a visit to some of the soothing natural hot springs that dot the landscape, many of which are set against a backdrop of rolling hills or snowcapped mountains.
Here are seven experiences you won't want to miss out on this winter.
Seven of the best winter experiences in Italy
Rome has something for everyone – but whether it's to escape the crowds or just because you need a change of scene, sometimes you might want to venture outside the Italian capital.
Luckily, there are plenty of destinations just a short journey from the Eternal City that don't require a car.
From roaming sprawling Renaissance gardens to exploring medieval castles and dining by a lake, we looked at the best day trips you can make from Rome by train.
Five easy day trips to make from Rome by train
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