Snowy holiday vacations in Italy

December 18, 4:27 PMItaly Culture & Travel ExaminerLucia Mauro

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The Alps in Northern Italy.

It may be tempting to escape to the warmer climes of Southern Italy in the winter. But the cold, snow-capped North offers exhilarating adventures - especially during the festive Christmas season. Following are my suggestions for Yuletide Italy vacations that encompass historic sights, charming decorations, cozy cafes, traditional meals, eclectic shopping and, of course, abundant skiiing. I've divided the cities and towns by region. Enjoy and Buone Feste!

Rome's St. Peter's Square snow-bound.

Trentino-Alto Adige: A classic border location, this region combines the Italian-speaking Trentino and the German-speaking South Tyrol, while sharing one of the most spectacular mountain ranges: the Dolomites. Continue farther north, and you'll reach the Alps. BOLZANO: The perfect town to stroll through, with its impeccable Tyrolean homes offset by intricate balconies, gables and faded frescoes. Visit the colorful market at Piazza Grano and the elaborate spire (looking like a three-dimensional spun tapestry) of the 15th century Gothic Duomo. TRENTO: The famed city where the Council of Trent took place in the 16th century (and paved the way for the Counter-Reformation) provides an expansive history of ancient Rome, the rise of Christianity and the complex political power of the Holy Roman Empire - from the Piazza del Duomo and the Museo Diocesano Tridentino to Castello del Buonconsiglio and Magno Palazzo.
MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO: A skiiers' paradise, this resort town in the Val Meledrio is framed by a breathtaking waterfall, Cascate di Nardis.

Alpine-style shutters in Bassano del Grappa.

Veneto & Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Venice tends to dominate travel to the Veneto, and the majestic city-on-the-sea is always enchanting in the misty frost of winter. But here are some (slightly) lesser-known recommendations. BASSANO DEL GRAPPA: Besides grappa, the strong after-dinner drink for which it is named, this tranquil Alpine town has a fairytale ambience - pristine cafes serving strudel and biscotti; winding streets of multicolored houses and their hand-painted shutters; and shops selling exquisite majolica earthenware. Andrea Palladio (the architect deified in this part of Italy) designed Bassano's slim wooden bridge, Ponte degli Alpini, in 1569. Its flexible construction has allowed it to survive natural disasters and bombings during various wars. UDINE: Palladio fans can indulge in this compact city, where his Arco Bollani gateway leads to a Renaissance castle that houses an impressive archaeology collection. Piazza della Liberta' is a more grounded version of Venice's Piazza San Marco, especially the pink-tinged Palazzo del Comune. Stop in the Art Deco Caffe' Contarena for a tramezzino of bresaola, arugula and grana. TRIESTE: Also related to Venice, this sweeping regal city that hugs the Adriatic has its own miniature version of the Grand Canal, but its proximity to Slovenia makes its feel like Prague or Budapest. It's jampacked with museums, palaces, churches and theaters. Just outside, visit the snow-white Castello del Miramare, built by the Hapsburg Archduke Maximilian (and Emperor of Mexico) shortly before he was executed in Mexico during the turbulent reforms set in motion by Benito Juarez and a complex web of international factions.

Lombardia: MILAN: More than a gray industrial center and fashion capital, Milan has a certain gracious charm in the winter. Yes, it's freezing and the snow can be intense. But the bustling spirit is contagious. Its landmark lattice-work Duomo turns into a magical dwelling made of snowflakes, and the belle epoque Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II becomes a sophisticated gilt drawing room in which to sip cappuccino and nibble on delicate pastries. Also take refuge from the cold in the sprawling and elegant art museum, Pinacoteca di Brera - it's worth an entire day's visit...or longer. BERGAMO: This hill town is divided into a medieval upper and modern lower portion. Stick to the older Bergamo Alta and linger at the Piazza Vecchia, an architectural wonder that contains a 12th century clock tower, the Neoclassical national library, and the Romanesque/Baroque Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which contains the "operatic" angel-flanked tomb of composer Gaetano Donizetti.

Valle D'Aosta & Piemonte: Everywhere you turn in this part of Italy, the snow-capped Alps look back at you. Every castle and palazzo is framed by a scene out of an epic film. MONTE BIANCO (MONT BLANC) & COLLE DEL GRAN SAN BERNARDO: The ultimate holiday destination, Monte Bianco is the tallest mountain in the Alps and features the year-round resort, Courmayeur. Take a cable-car ride up to the Aiguille du Midi for views that defy words. The Little St. Bernard Pass reveals glaciers and ravines. And on that subject, the famed Swiss rescue dogs are still trained at Colle del Gran San Bernardo (where they were first trained by Catholic monks in the 11th century). AOSTA: This is simply a glorious town filled with Roman ruins and medieval churches, cloisters and castles. TORINO: A magnificent city, topped by the striking Mole Antonelliana (an unfinished synagogue that now houses the enchanting International Cinema Museum), Torino boasts more than the mysterious Shroud of Turin. Its romantic arcades, lavish museums, regal cafes and mountain backdrops create a frothy European fantasy, especially during the holiday season.

Lazio: ROME: Technically, Rome is closer to Southern Italy. But I've stayed in Rome during one of its heaviest snowfalls and loved it. Granted, it made for messy travel plans. But visitors - if they are fortunate enough to experience the Eternal City blanketed in white powder - can revel in St. Peter's Square and its gigantic Nativity Scene. It felt like a movie set, and the tranquility was particularly stirring. One of my greatest memories was watching a group of priests and nuns engaged in a fierce snowball fight in the heart of the Vatican! 

Whether you're spending the holidays in Italy or anywhere else in the world, I wish you a Buon Natale & Felice Anno Nuovo!

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