Romagna at Christmas – a massive, glorious festive feast

Duty-free mountain top shopping, wonderful Christmas entertainment and nativity scenes everywhere make a heartwarming festive feast to see, to hear, to taste, to savour and to save!

High on the top of Mount Titan, soaring above the Adriatic coast, are the ramparts of an unique World Heritage Site – the tiny, atmospheric Republic of San Marino.

The idiosyncratic state that refused to join Italy, that kept itself aloof from the European Union (and that scored the fastest-ever goal in the World Cup!) – fiercely preserves its independence and its traditions above everything else to this day.

Here the city-state’s castles and walkways reveal sensational views, its cobbled streets and alleys hide little shops selling simply everything –  – tax paid only to San Marino!

And at Christmastime thousands of visitors arrive to enjoy San Marino’s wonderful sights and warm hospitality – and SHOP duty free.

Because – called "The Christmas of Marvels"  – San Marino creates possibly the most magical Christmastime event in the world.

Naturally there is an ice-skating rink; naturally Santa Claus sets up his village (with lots of Elf helpers) to help lots of kiddies – of all ages – make Christmas delicacies and wrap presents; naturally there is a beautiful Nativity scene, naturally there are traditional carol concerts in the atmospheric churches, naturally there is a vast array of duty-free and branded outlet shopping in the pretty boutiques; naturally there are Christmas shops with a vast array of Christmas goods from decorations to cuckoo clocks to electronic Santas – everything… and naturally there is a fabulous local Christmas Market.

Plus Christmas music, plus Christmas lights, plus stalls selling hot Christmas drinks and sweet Christmas confections, plus the aromas and sounds of Christmastime everywhere.

And when guests are happily tired of soaking up Christmas and shopping up bargains and return to the plain, there is yet another traditional treat in store.

All along the Romagna coast, and up in the hills, historic townships vye with each other to create the most outstanding traditional (and non-traditional) Nativity scenes and Christmas Markets.

You’ll see the Holy Family up on hilltops, inside castle cloisters, on beaches and in harbours – made of simply every material you can imagine – and often animated, both acted and mechanical. Here in Romagna Christmas is not Christmas without a Nativity Scene and pretty much every Nativity Scene has its own little Christmas Market, where you can buy Christmas presents and stock up on Christmas delicacies, decorations and other delights!

So, in the historic Leonardo da Vinci – designed sea harbour of Cesenatico, you’ll see ancient ships with Nativity Scenes on each; in the historic Pope’s salt-port of Cervia, you’ll see harbour-side and beachside Nativity Scenes; in the hilltop vine-coated wine and olive oil townships of Bertinoro, Brisighella and Longiano you have hilltop and castle court Nativity Scenes. And in the important cities such as Cesena and Forli, Rimini and Ravenna you’ll see massive acted Nativities in the historic centres.

So for a wall-to-wall total immersion traditional, authentic Christmas feast – Romagna has got it all!

Why not make a visit? An informed, tailor-made service is available to organise exciting visits to suit any budget for groups or individuals. Just contact [email protected]

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