You're Hot and You're Cold: Try these Italian Summer Favorites for Festive Season
Italy is singular the world over in the variety of destinations within a single country - the rolling hills of Tuscany are distinct from the ancient cobblestoned streets of Rome, which feel a world away from Venice’s lapping canals. Given all the possible destination combinations and permutations, there’s no country that shows up on more itineraries across Local Foreigner advisors’ trip lists, especially in the summer months - but there’s no reason to forget the magic when cooler temperatures roll in. Read on for five of our favorite Italian destinations that shine in the summer but have a special sparkle in the winter.
Tuscany
Tuscany is often seen as a quintessential summer destination, with its sun-drenched vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque hill towns like Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano. The region is a haven for wine lovers, food enthusiasts, and those who enjoy wandering through medieval streets, and while it can get warm, dreamy hotels and villas prioritize their pool scenes so you can while away your afternoon with a glass of something chilled and local while watching the breezes toss the cypress trees in the distance.
Winter Traditions
Tuscany transforms during the winter months into a cozy, festive landscape. One of the most enchanting traditions is the Canti di Natale (Christmas Carols), where small groups of singers travel from town to town, spreading holiday cheer. The Christmas markets in Florence, such as the Mercato di Natale, are perfect for picking up handmade gifts and enjoying mulled wine (vin brulé). Tuscany’s traditional holiday meal features cappone ripieno (stuffed capon) and panforte (a dense fruit and nut cake), perfect for warming up on cold nights. And in the New Year, the tradition of eating lentils (symbolizing good fortune) is widespread. Tuscany’s charm is its perfect balance of rich history, stunning scenery, and festive celebrations, making it a wonderful destination year-round.
Local Foreigner’s Festive Hotel Pick
Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel
After a painstaking restoration, Belmond Castello di Casole is one of Tuscany’s most impressive properties. A cypress-lined white road leads to the hotel’s main building, an inviting stone structure where courtyards give way to a lively trattoria and a handsome bar. Rooms’ honeyed palettes are accented by reclaimed timber, antique furnishings, and exquisite Tuscan terracotta, creating a warm, lived-in ambiance that’s both elegant and comfortable. Guests are free to spend their days roaming the 4,200 acre property – on-site activities include photography walks, cooking lessons, and watercolor classes.
Lake Como
In the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como is a summer paradise known for its luxurious villas, charming towns, and spectacular mountain and lakeside views - but it’s not exactly a secret. Visitors flock to the lake’s scenic towns like Bellagio, Varenna, and Menaggio, where boat days, lakeside walks, and outdoor dining provide an idyllic summer escape.
Winter Traditions
Lake Como hotels used to close up shop at the end of October, but over the past few years, several luxury properties have kept their books open into early January to share the lake’s quiet holiday magic with a few lucky travelers. Some mornings, you may wake up to a mist-covered lake, while on others, the day is clear as ice; locals relaxing after a busy summer fill the bars and buy roast chestnuts from street vendors. The Como Christmas markets, especially in Piazza Cavour, are a major draw, with beautiful handcrafted gifts, holiday sweets, and mulled wine, and the annual Presepi Viventi (live nativity scenes) in towns like Cernobbio are a beautiful tradition, bringing the Christmas story to life in a picturesque setting.
Local Foreigner’s Festive Hotel Pick
Villa D’Este
This opulent hotel overlooking the beautiful Lake Como is glorious in every sense. Formerly a 16th-century princely residence, the hotel grounds are impeccable and surrounded by a magnificent 25-acre park. The pristine Renaissance gardens are a highlight and the rooms are just as elegant. In the winter months, the traditional, elegant property is decked with lights, which reflect in the inky mirror glass of the lake, and an exclusive program of curated wine dinners, performances, and events through December and the first week of January make this exclusive enclave feel even more special.
Portofino
Portofino, a small fishing village on the Ligurian coast, is synonymous with summer luxury. The colorful facades of the old fishermen's homes that line the harbor make up one of the most photogenic scenes in Italy, but gone are the days when fishing was the town's main source of revenue. Portofino attracts a decidedly glamorous set of celebrities, yachts, and tourists eager to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine, shopping, and panoramic views from the surrounding hills.
Winter Traditions
While the summer season is glamorous, Portofino during the holidays has a quiet, charming appeal. The town is known for its Natale in Portofino celebrations, where the streets and marina are adorned with Christmas lights, creating a magical atmosphere, and temperatures that hover in the 50s mean it’s ideal for wandering. The Presepe Sottomarino (Underwater Nativity Scene) is a unique local tradition where a nativity scene is placed underwater in the bay, visible to intrepid divers and snorkelers. Like much of Liguria, Portofino’s holiday meals focus on fresh seafood and hearty dishes like torta di verdure (vegetable pie) and focaccia (a regional flatbread). The holidays are also a time for indulging in panettone and sipping warm vin brulé to stave off the winter chill.
Local Foreigner’s Festive Hotel Pick
Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel
Splendido Mare reopened its doors in 2021 following a top-to-toe renovation – the first in the Belmond portfolio to debut under LVMH ownership. Inspired by the combination of old Hollywood glamour and Portofino’s rich maritime history, Splendido Mare is a swanky seaside sophisticate, where atmosphere is everything - think Gio Ponti furnishings draped in Loro Piana fabrics, with nautical textures and subtle amber, marigold, and sea green hues throughout. The 14-room stunner sits in the center of Portofino’s buzzy piazetta, which is impossibly charming during the winter months, when crowds have dispersed and locals sip coffee at outdoor cafe tables.
Rome
It’s never hard to justify a visit to Rome. One of the most iconic cities in the world, Rome has evolved over the past two and a half thousand years to become the stylish metropolis it is today. Its epic history naturally results in a long list of bucket-list sights, including the Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon and Vatican City. Although beyond the sights, Rome's charming cobblestoned neighborhoods, incredible cuisine, and gregarious locals make it one of the world's best.
Winter Traditions
It should be no surprise that the city surrounding the Vatican is an incredibly festive place in the winter. The city is beautifully decorated, with a stunning Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, and the Messa di Natale (Christmas Mass) at St. Peter’s Basilica is a truly unforgettable experience. For the ultimate manger scene, visit Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where five wooden planks said to be from the original Christmas manger are on display. On New Year’s Eve, Romans celebrate with fireworks, feasts, and the wearing of red underwear, which is said to bring good luck for the upcoming year. Weather is mild - think 50s and 60s - perfect for a stroll through the quieter streets after stuffing yourself with fried artichokes and cacio e pepe.
Local Foreigner’s Festive Hotel Pick
Casa Monti via Panisperna Roma
Welcome to Casa Monti, a maximalist dream in Rome’s boho-chic Monti district. Opened in summer 2024 and located in a 17th-century palazzo-turned-police station, this latest gem from the family behind La Fantaisie in Paris is a celebration of textures, patterns, and unforgettable Roman vibes. Every room tells its own story, with unique, handcrafted details from up-and-coming creatives, many of whom hail from the fun and funky surrounding neighborhood. Rooms already feel like you’re inside a perfectly-wrapped gift, so it’s the perfect place for a festive getaway.
Venice
Venice is known for its summer romance—gondola rides through the canals, exploring Piazza San Marco, and enjoying aperitifs on outdoor terraces as the sun sets over the Grand Canal. The city's maze of islands, bridges, alleyways, and canals makes it an easy place to get lost in the charming culture, but the most popular areas can get quite crowded in the summer months. The best way to get to know the city is to wander through its piazzas, museums, shops and cafes.
Winter Traditions
Venice takes on a magical quality during the holidays, with its festive decorations lighting up the canals and squares. The Festa di San Silvestro (New Year’s Eve) is a major event, celebrated with fireworks over the water and a traditional dinner with friends and family. Christmas in Venice is marked by a special midnight mass in St. Mark’s Basilica, where visitors can hear beautiful choral music and experience the solemnity of the season. Around the table, octagonal vanilla pandoro and fruit and nut-studded panettone are omnipresent, washed down with plenty of prosecco.
Local Foreigner’s Festive Hotel Pick
Airelles Venezia
It's hard to imagine a better pairing of brand and destination than Airelles and the city of Venice - both are highly theatrical, immersive, and beggar comparison. When the French brand known for its scene-stealing detail opens on the island of Giudecca, it will be in three historically significant buildings on former site of the Bauer Palladio. Neighboring Belmond Cipriani is only open seasonally, but Airelles will welcome travelers year round, meaning the island will likely get livelier as a result.
