Just a couple of days ago we published a cotechino recipe which was a great success with our readers, so why not prepare a cotechino in crosta for New Year’s Eve? Here are the ingredients:

1 cooked cotechino; 100 g cooked lentils; 100 g boiled spinach; pate brisée; salt

Roll out a disk of pate brisée, gently place a layer of lentils on it and then add a layer of spinach. Next add a pinch of salt and then place the cotechino in the centre , fold the pate brisée over it and press the edges firmly together. Score the top of the crust with two or three cuts and then bake at 180° c for 15minutes. Delicious!

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Traditional Italian recipes for New Year's Eve: cotechino in crosta

If you’re spending New Year’s Eve in Rome it’s unlikely you’ll be thinking about the ancient traditions of celebrating a new calendar year. But for the record, the tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve on December 31st, and starting a fresh year on January 1st, began with the Julian Calendar of 46 BC.

Like every year, New Year’s Eve in Rome is a special time to celebrate one of the western world’s great events in a European capital. After Christmas celebrations in Italy, for the night of San Silvestro, there will be parties in the squares, concerts, fireworks and plenty of food. To get to where the action is, try the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza del Campidoglio for live concerts, while fireworks will take place in the Trastevere district and from Castel Sant Angelo.

A great panoramic spot in the city where you can watch all the fireworks and pyrotechnics display is at Terrazza del Pincio Montemario, or find a friend with an attic apartment and you’re set. The Piazza del Quirinale will host its traditional classical music concert in the presence of Italian President, Giorgio Napolitano, and Italian politicians.

On the practical side of things, Rome’s metro system will run late into the night to accommodate those who will visit the late night opening museums, theatres, rock concerts and symphony concerts. Stay tuned for information on disco events and VIP locations, and for more details on December events in Rome, see the Rome events site at 06068.it

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Tips for New Year's Eve in Rome

Looking for a special way to celebrate the last night of the year? Tired of the usual street parties and deafening music? If so the beautiful Borgo di Rivalta Castle, near Piacenza, could be the right place to be. On 31 th December the old castle which belongs to the Zanardi Landi family will open its doors to the public and from that moment onwards it will be like taking a romantic journey into the past, far away from the maddening crowd. On that very night the small streets around the castle will be aswarm with fortune tellers, buskers and musicians and if you are afraid of the cold, don’t worry, roast chestnuts and vin brulè will keep you warm until dinnertime when guests can either decide to have dinner at the castle (the sumptuous meal will be prepared by the famous chef Antonio Miglionico for only 120 euros per person) or at the Antica Locanda del falco which offers delicious traditional dishes. The day will end with a toast to the new year in the village ‘s major square and with a spectacular display of fireworks which, if you wish, you can watch from one of the castle towers. For more information about the offers by Residenza San Martino please click here.

Photo | PiacenzaTurismi

Continue reading: New year's eve in Italy: romantic new year's celebration at Borgo di Rivalta castle, near Piacenza

The city of Rimini for the seventh time in its history will play host to a tv show called L’anno che verrà with Tv presenter Fabrizio frizzi; the show produced by Rai will take place in the beautiful piazza Fellini where every year people meet to celebrate New Year’s eve. But along with this much awaited tv show which will be aired on 31th December, the city, in collaboration with Ballandi Entertainment, will host many other interesting events including the staging of Arturo Toscanini ‘s most famous opera Tosca, directed by Ivan Stefanuti and starring the Rimini Opera House Chrous, and two nativity scenes entirely made of sand and which will be on view at Torre Pedrera.

Continue reading: New Year's eve in Rimini, Italy's capital of fun

The delightful town of Comacchio, affectionately known as the small Venice, is now preparing for the Christmas season with a series of tempting events which will make your inspiration come alive. Imaginatively built on 13 islets linked by bridges, Comacchio is at the heart of a beautiful and enchanting lagoon in the Emilia Romagna region.The programme for the coming festive season includes nativity scene exhibitions, performances by buskers, traditional Christmas markets and a spectacular display of fireworks to delight adults and children alike.

The first event to take place in Comacchio will be Collezionando sull’acqua which will run until Epiphany day (but only over weekends). In Comacchio, visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy a noteworthy array of nativity scenes which will be on view at various churches around town. The chief attraction however, will be crib scene, constructed on the water underneath the famous Trepponi archway - one of the most picturesque corners in Comacchio. I cannot leave out a special date, 18 December, when this pretty town will be host to a colourful music and dance show. So, if you are looking for somewhere to go alone, with friends or the family at this time of year - let Comacchio show you the way.

Continue reading: Christmas and New year in Comacchio with fireworks and nativity scenes