Christmas and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner and preparations for the holiday season are in full swing all over Tuscany. If you will be spending your Winter Holidays in Maremma, make sure not to miss the following activities and events in the area of Monte Argentario.
Christmas Specials
Italians love the Presepe (Nativity) and getting creative with the preparation of a beautiful scene. The sea hamlets of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano will host living nativities (Presepe Vivente), where locals recreate the characters, settings and events that took place in Bethlehem. There is also the Underwater Nativity on display at the Mediterranean Aquarium.
- Scenes from the Living Nativity of Porto Ercole (photos from Presepe Vivente Porto Ercole)
Winter Sports
Among the Sports activities and events around Christmas time, you can choose between a symbolic race, golf and sailing. A traditional, non-competitive race takes place every year on 24 December in Porto Santo Stefano. A group of runners transport the statue of Baby Jesus from the Convento dei Padri Passionisti all the way to the Church of S. Stefano, where they arrive at midnight. Argentario Golf Club hosts its yearly Christmas Pro Am on 27-28 December in its spectacular 18-hole PGA National Golf Course – Italy. Pros and Amateurs from all over Italy meet in Maremma on this occasion, and an increasing number of foreign golfers are also participating in this prestigious competition with 10.000 Euro in prize money. Argentarola’s Cup Boat Race is a regatta that will delight your eyes in the wonderful sea setting of Porto Santo Stefano, on 27 December.
Welcome 2020
For New Year’s, different villages around Maremma Tuscany organize the Capodanno in piazza, where locals meet in the main square to welcome 2020. But the traditional celebrations start before, with a rich and delicious Cenone di San Silvestro (New Year’s Dinner). The design Dama Dama Restaurant in Porto Ercole awaits you for a fantastic San Silvestro dinner (see the menu), followed by a New Year’s Eve Party and a firework show that you can admire from the restaurant’s panoramic terrace.
The design Argentario Golf Resort & Spa proposes a special New Year’s Eve package including the stay, dinner and access to the wellness center.