An Italian Cookie Tray

Cookies have always played an important part in Italian cuisine, whether they are consumed for breakfast with a cappuccino, or nibbled with a quick shot of espresso at a mid-morning or afternoon break. It is at holiday time however, particularly Christmas, when cookies truly shine. In almost any Italian home, whether it be in Italy, or here in North America, most families prepare specific traditional cookies each Christmas, and often those recipes have been handed down through their families for generations.

An Italian Christmas

An Italian Christmas revolves around faith, family and an abundance of food. Throughout the holiday season, food plays an integral part in the celebration. Women spend days, sometimes weeks preparing their family’s favorite recipes that have often been handed down for generations. Every region, city, and country town have their own ritual foods for the Christmas season that are prepared in great quantity to be shared with family and friends.

New Year's Eve in Venice: Concerts and Galas

Our friend Nan McElroy of Living Venice fills us in on musical options for New Year's Eve in Venice -

If you are visiting Venice for New Year's and want to make it a musical holiday, consider attending the Concerto di Capodanno, the New Year's concert offered by the Teatro La Fenice on December 30th at 8 p.m., the 31st at 4 p.m., and on New Year's Day at 11:15 a.m. Conducted by Daniel Harding, the first portion of the concert is orchestral, while the second part features a chorus and soloists performing Verdi’s beloved “Libiam” from La Traviata and “Va Pensiero” from Nabucco among other selections, perfect for ringing in the New Year. For information on the Fenice concerts, visit HelloVenezia or call (39) 041 2424 or visit www.hellovenezia.com



There are other musical offerings for both Christmas and New Year's. From violins to Vivaldi to opera highlights, these concerts are all held in opulent Venetian palaces: there is even one that includes a buffet dinner held at the Scuola Giovanni Evangelista, another is a formal dinner and gala at the Palazzo Barbarigo-Minotto. To book these concerts, stop by the tourist pavilion jus outside the Royal Gardens near the Vallaresso vaparetto stop, or use an online booking service such as classictic.com Of course, thousands will be celebrating New Year's Eve in Piazza San Marco -- if you decide to join them, be sure to check the aqua alta forecast, bundle up, and remember: no glass bottles permitted in the piazza. -- Nan McElroy

Christmas in Verona Italy - Celebrating the Italian Nativity Scene

During the Christmas season in Italy, the presepe, or nativity scene, is a reminder Italy's deep-rooted traditions.Italians' love for art and religion combine in these gorgeous scenes. It's nearly impossible to visit Italy during the holidays and not stumble across presepi in store windows, cathedrals or museums.

The event Natale in Arena in Verona celebrates presepi from December 4, 2010 through January 23, 2011. On display at Verona's historic Arena are 400 presepi include different artistic interpretations of the traditional Christmas nativity scene, and are a collaboration of artists, museums, and collectors from Italy and other European countries. The symbol of this Christmas event is a giant star sculpture leading from the Arena to nearby Piazza Bra. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and tickets are 7 euros per person. A portion of the proceeds are donated to charities in Bethlehem. -- Elaine Murphy

New Year's Eve in Tuscany at A 1930s Party

This New Year's Eve, step back in time in the heart of Tuscany as the luxurious Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort hosts a 1930s soiree, complete with gangster pinstripe suits, bow ties, Borsalino-hat clad waiters and chefs. The Jazz quartet, Sweet & Hot Band, will play the night away, and guests will ring in 2011 with a traditional fireworks display accompanied by the renowned voice of the musician, Karima. Rates start at 456€ per room, per night (double occupancy) and are based on a 7-night minimum stay.

Dream of Italy reviewed this luxurious spa in our very first issue eight years ago. It remains one of our favorite resort destinations in all of Italy. Located in the heart of the Tuscany's Maremma area, in the medieval village of Saturnia, the four-star hotel consists of 140 rooms, two restaurants under the supervision of a three-star Michelin chef, two bars, fitness center, Cruciani shop featuring luxurious cashmere, art Gallery, the hair salon Aldo Coppola by Terme di Saturnia, a meeting room for up to 250 people, the Spa Boutique at Terme di Saturnia, a state-of-the-art spa with 53 treatment rooms and the 3,000-year-old thermal pool nestled in the center of the resort. The resort also features an 18-hole championship golf course, practice green and private golf villas.

Dream of Italy Around the Web: Christmas in Rome, Last-Minute Holidays in Italy, Parma Museums

Every so often we share our expertise on other Web sites. Take a look at our Italy travel articles floating around cyberspace this week:

• Four Places to Celebrate Christmas in Rome on The Huffington Post