The enchantment of a white Christmas and a sparkling New Year: 10 ideas for celebrating in style

From Portofino to Venice, from Tuscany to Lake Garda, passing through the most beautiful cities in Italy. Here are 10 ideas for celebrating Christmas and New Year in style in the most fascinating and magical hotels which on the most anticipated days of the year become even more evocative with decorations and lights to immerse yourself in poetry and amazement. And with special culinary proposals and activities for the whole family

Do you want to celebrate Christmas and New Year in style? Here are 10 proposals selected by HotelmyPassion to celebrate the most magical period of the year as a couple or with the whole family.

Ten suggestions for experiencing the poetry of the most beautiful destinations in Italy and the original proposals designed for the occasion by the most glamorous hotels.

1 Excelsior Palace Portofino Coast

Excelsior Palace, the splendid 5-star hotel overlooking the bay of Rapallo and the coast of Portofino becomes even more magical at Christmas.

In fact, magnificent decorations and lights enhance the style with timeless charm.

For Christmas lunch it offers a special menu, full of traditional delights.

Excelsior Palace Let’s celebrate Christmas together includes: Artichoke heart with raw Santa Margherita Ligure prawns and pomegranate caramel, Pumpkin risotto with turkey and prized black truffle base or/or Christmas ravioli in capon broth. Subsequently, veal mignon with morels and chestnuts with mustard potato millefeuille. Last but not least, dark chocolate cake with a soft center of traditional panettone and Grand Marnier sauce. And to conclude, Christmas frivolities.

Furthermore, the most elegant destination in Liguria is perfect for welcoming the new year.

The New Year’s Eve at the Excelsior Palace will feature music and dancing.

Here is the menu: Cauliflower couscous with lobster, buttermilk and Luisa herb oil, Risotto Gran Riserva Carnaroli with 36 month parmesan and white truffle. And also scampi and Quarantine potato ravioli, with crustacean puree and Savonese chinotto, Rossini-style beef tournedos with Rossini Madeira sauce, Chiavari hazelnut cream with the scent of the Langhe. Coffee and midnight frivolities.

2 Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort, Riva del Garda-Lake Garda

This year the Du Lac et Du Parc Grand Resort is dyed… white to spend the Christmas period in Riva del Garda.

From the Christmas markets to the many activities for the little ones, passing through unique moments of wellbeing in the Armonia Spa.

The Christmas lunch proposal includes: Welcome flute, 4-course menu at the Aria restaurant, Sweet Xmas 2023 Panettone and water and coffee included.

Cost of €90 per person, €45 Euro children from 7 to 13 years old, free up to 6 years old (drinks excluded). Included in the Taste of Xmas package!

On the evening of December 31st, the arrival of 2024 includes: Aperitif with finger food and welcome flute, 6-course menu, “Good luck dish” after midnight based on lentils and cotechino and musical accompaniment during the evening.

Rates: €190 per person, €95 Euro children from 7 to 13 years old, free up to 6 years old (drinks excluded). Included in the Happy New Lake package!

Furthermore, on 9 and 16 December there will be 2 events reserved for the little ones.

In the company of their parents they will be able to make their own Christmas biscuits by kneading together with the resort’s chefs. At the end, the children will be able to take home a pack of Du Lac et Du Parc cookies.

The cookie classes are reserved for children aged 5 and over, accompanied by a parent. Registration ends when 20 participants are reached. Registration: €25 per child

3 Palais Royal Restaurant of Nolinski Venice

For the first time in its history, the Nolinski Venezia hotel opens the doors of the former Council Hall of the Stock Exchange for a unique evening together with a 7-course banquet.

In fact, for the arrival of the new year, the Nolinski of the Venetian capital has decided to unveil an exclusive New Year’s party. THE The heart of the former Council Hall of the Venetian Stock Exchange will host this gastronomic ballet.

It will be led by Chef Philip Chronopoulos, awarded 2 Michelin stars. It is an exceptional culinary experience, in a unique environment that will soon also host the Palais Royal restaurant in Venice.

Later in the evening, the hotel will be revealed in a new light, for a moment of celebration and music to the rhythm of the Serenissima.

4 Christmas signed by Anantara with the proposals of Rome and Amalfi

Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel is a Capuchin convent dating back to the 13th century overlooking the Amalfi cliffs.

The Christmas period will be inaugurated with the lighting ceremony of the Christmas tree in the ancient Cloister of the Convent. Furthermore, the Cloister will be set up with Christmas decorations and decorations, embellished with hundreds of cascading lights.

In the center there will be a large brazier where you can relax in the warmth of the fire with the possibility of making marshmallows, trying sweets and local delicacies.

From 15 to 17 December the Cloister will host a Christmas market open to all.

The hotel offers numerous initiatives. An example? The “Masterclass on Amaro dei Cappuccini”, scheduled every Thursday from 8 December to 6 January, to learn the secrets of the amaro prepared for centuries by the monks together with Fra Marcus and Chef Claudio Lanuto.

For the Dei Cappuccini gourmet restaurant, Executive Chef Claudio Lanuto has designed exclusive menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Lunch, New Year’s Eve Dinner, as well as holiday brunches.

Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel is the point of reference in luxury hospitality in the heart of Rome, Among the events of the Christmas season, on December 5th from 4.30pm to 7.00pm, the Casa Manfredi corner, a renowned Roman pastry shop, will host a tasting of delicious Marron glacés.

Furthermore, every day from 1 December to 6 January, Casa Manfredi will be the ideal location for a snack or a break with traditional Christmas sweets. Just like in the Lobby, the Manfredi home corner will bring its Christmas to life with a chocolate tree created jointly with the world pastry champion Francesco Boccia.

For families and children, the “Christmas Spice Spoons: Masterclass with Christmas desserts and Masterclass with Christmas biscuits is scheduled every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon until January 6th to learn how to cook traditional Christmas desserts together with expert chefs.

For the INEO fine dining restaurant, the SEEN by Olivier and the La Fontana restaurant, Heros de Agostinis, Executive Chef of Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, has studied special menus for the Christmas Eve dinner, the Christmas Brunch, the New Year’s Eve dinner, as well as the Brunch at the beginning of the year.

5 Villa d’Este, Cernobbio-Lake Como

This year too, Villa d’Este relies on Vincenzo Dascanio for its Christmas decorations and decorations.

An enchanted atmosphere whose theme will be the “secret garden” will envelop every corner of the hotel: from the rooms to the hall, from the restaurant to the iconic mosaic.

The magic of Christmas will begin on December 1st with the ceremony of switching on the Christmas lights and the opening of the Greenhouse overlooking the lake.

Made entirely of glass and with a contemporary design, this space will be a lounge area designed for any moment of the day. Guests will be able to relax during the cold winter days, enjoy the ritual of afternoon tea, indulge in an aperitif, even daring with the selection of caviar, or enjoy an evening of live music.

Also starting from December 1st, a new Chocolate Room will be set up in Sala Colonne: a space dedicated to chocolate and high quality home-made pastries from Villa d’Este. These activities crown with 3 exclusive menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

6 Grand Universe Lucca

Christmas at Grand Universe Lucca is an extraordinary culinary experience. Every day starts with an American breakfast.

However, the real delight is the Christmas lunch, cooked with love by the chef and the hotel team. Guests will be delighted by traditional Tuscan dishes served in a welcoming and warm atmosphere, such as cardoon flan, pecorino fondue and white truffle.

First courses include Tortellini in capon broth, a Tuscan comfort food, and Carnaroli Risotto with pumpkin and sausage crumble. For New Year’s Eve dinner, the chef has prepared a dinner that will delight the most demanding palates, offering a selection of delicious dishes, such as scallop nuts au gratin with Jerusalem artichoke cream and Tuscan rigatino.

Among the first courses there is the Vialone Nano Risotto with Mazara prawns, burrata and winter chicory and the cod raviolo, black cabbage cream, Italian caviar.

7 Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, Tuscany

Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, nestled among the Tuscan hills, is a true refuge where time slows down, allowing guests to rediscover the quintessence of relaxation.

To celebrate the most magical period of the year, the hotel offers an extraordinary menu that celebrates the flavors and aromas of the season.

To start, “Artichoke flan” with a delicate quail egg, served on a creamy parmesan fondue and accompanied by a wafer that adds a touch of crunch. Next, the “Pumpkin cream” enriched with porcini mushrooms and chestnuts, which captures the warm aromas in every spoonful.

For lovers of unusual preparations, the “Boar Bauletti in cocoa paste” are a real delight, with confit datterini tomatoes and Taggiasca olives which give an unmistakable flavour. Main course, the “Veal cheek” braised with Nobile di Montepulciano and which is served on a soft bed of orange potatoes and enriched with an olive powder which enhances its flavour. And to end on a sweet note, you can’t miss the “Small panettone stuffed with cream ice cream”, served on a bed of melted dark chocolate that melts in your mouth.

Everything is offered at the price of Euro 50, drinks included, to make the gastronomic experience truly unforgettable.

For those who want to welcome 2024 in style, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa invites its guests to the extraordinary “New Year’s Eve Dinner”.

8 Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

At the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel the elegant pop-style Christmas decorations are on display, with the playful Christmas tree sprouting irreverent from the sunroof of a vintage FIAT 500.

At the Tiepolo Lounge and Terrace, throughout the holiday period it will be possible to linger with delights that change as the hours pass. Surrounded by works of art from the hotel’s private collection, and a few steps from the extraordinary Tiepolo triptych that gives the lounge its name.

Until 6.30pm you can treat yourself to a delicious tea: a special moment of relaxation and goodness, sweetened by the exquisite Christmas creations of Executive Pastry Chef Dario Nuti.

Christmas is celebrated at the Uliveto Restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner, with the menu of Executive Chef Fabio Boschero and the desserts of Executive Pastry Chef Dario Nuti.

Also at the Uliveto, the highly anticipated Christmas Brunch will be held on December 25th. It will surprise guests with live stations full of authentic flavors that recall the Italian culinary tradition.

For those who want to celebrate in an elegant and intimate way, the ideal appointment is at the Tiepolo Lounge & Terrace. Here we will toast with Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial accompanied by a selection of petits fours and canapés. Clearly enjoying the inevitable lentils and cotechino at the stroke of midnight.

For the little ones the Cavalieri Grand Spa Club has prepared a moment of leisure and carefree. That is, with the magical and fascinating Christmas fairy tales told by its entertainers.

Available from 16 to 23 December, it is a child-friendly moment to daydream and ignite the imagination.

9 Aleph Rome Hotel

The Aleph Rome Hotel – charming property located in the heart of the Eternal City celebrates the Christmas Holiday Season with an extraordinary program.

The dinner on December 24th will be curated by Executive Chef Carmine Buonanno. A menu that enhances the taste of Christmas traditions, and in which the protagonist is fish. December 25th opens with Christmas breakfast, a time to share the joy of the holidays with family and friends.

Followed by Christmas lunch. It will be a culinary journey that captures the essence of togetherness. The palate will be delighted by the Terrine of foie gras, raspberries and Vin Santo jelly, by the stuffed Cappelli, Parmigiano Reggiano foam and capon broth and by the stuffed guinea fowl with chestnuts, porcini mushrooms and black truffle. Conclusion on a sweet note with the three chocolate mousse with spiced ice cream.

To ring in the new year in style, the Aleph Rome Hotel offers 2 alternatives.

The traditional dinner, in which luxury unfolds among the precious marbles of the hall, the warm Christmas decorations and the extraordinary menu by Carmine Buonanno.

Instead, for a more lively New Year’s Eve, “Le Petit Chef” is on stage. With its multi-sensory show, which involves the guest in every way, with images, sounds and flavors and which sees the “smallest” chef in the world as the protagonist.

There will be entertainment at both dinners. At midnight, the toast to the start of the new year will be on the rooftop, on the wonderful terrace set in the skyline of the Eternal City.

10 Hotel Chalet Mirabell, Avelengo-Merano

At the Hotel Chalet Mirabell in Avelengo, above the Merano valley, everything is ready for the new season.

In fact, the snow has painted the forest around the resort white and makes everything more magical. The large fireplace in the hall is already lit, and the Christmas decorations create a unique, joyful atmosphere.

Celebrating at the Hotel Chalet Mirabell means treating yourself to moments of luxury relaxation in a highly charming environment.

To be pampered by refined gourmet experiences and truly regenerating wellness programs. From 23 December to 7 January the “New Year’s Eve” package. It offers 7 nights of deluxe stay with ¾ gourmet board (rich breakfast and lunch buffet; sweet snack in the afternoon; gourmet dinner), entrance to the spa area, wellness and body&mind programmes. Finally, free parking space in the garage, free private shuttle that takes you directly from the hotel to the facilities, and 10% discount on equipment at the Sport Max rental shop.

Then on December 31st there will be a gala dinner in the charming restaurant with large windows overlooking the whitewashed peaks. In the company of the Reiterer family, with music, dancing and final toast. €3,336 per perso