Hi-we traveling to Italy this Christmas and staying through and into the New Year- it is a several week trip. I’m so excited - this is my first trip to Italy and post on this forum-but an avid reader of the posts since we started our trip planning. This is a great and wonderful site! We are spending time in Rome, Venice, Florence and Tuscany. We are staying in Siena for 4 days as our base in Tuscany (Yes, we are renting a car for the time we are in Tuscany). Part of our time in Tuscany will be during NYE and New Year’s Day before heading to Rome. I have started searching for wine tours - which we want to do. But I’m curious to get feedback on if wineries will be open during this time of year due to the holidays and also what to expect with availability of restaurants/wine bars and shops in the Tuscan region too? I welcome also any good suggestions and recommendations. Finally- where would you spend celebrating NYE - Florence or Siena? Thank you!
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
560 posts
7-years ago I spent NYE in Florence. Besides being cold (it would dip below freezing at night; felt colder because of all the stone) there was still A LOT of people. Many were Italians from other parts of Italy, however there was no shortage of tourists from other parts of the world. Fireworks were set-off above the train station, Santa Maria Novella; the surrounding streets were all closed allowing people to gather. Street vendors were all around selling NYE crap, some restaurants were closed but many were open and offered special prix-fix dinners. Make reservations in advance. After the firework display, teenagers would light flares and walk around, fireworks would be set-off in front of the Duomo all night long.
Would recommend wearing either insulated jacket or, wool. Sweaters are important, hats/beanies, scarves and gloves. A flask with some of your favorite booze is a nice touch in a foreign country. Spent NY Day in Siena, a lot of Italians traveling around, visiting their country before the tourism season kick's into gear. Not sure what NYE is like in Siena but, Florence has the larger population ergo, the fireworks display.