ITENES

All the colours of life. God at heart.

♡♡☆☆☀
THE CHIARA! CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

What a lovely Christmas!

Markets, little towns and lovely discoveries

An afternoon under the lights. Hot chocolate to share. A gift chosen with love. Your next Christmas memory starts here.

135 guides to choose from

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Christmas market in Strasbourg’s old town in 2018. Archive photograph, not the 2026 edition.
Photo credits

What kind of Christmas?

Choose where to go. Let Christmas bring the magic.

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Times indicate a relaxed visit at the destination; travel from home is excluded.

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Cologne

North Rhine-Westphalia · Germany

Admission and costs
The cathedral and Heinzels markets are free to browse. Skating and skate hire at Heumarkt are paid activities with their own tickets; shopping, refreshments and Chocolate Museum admission remain separate expenses.
Getting there
Arrive at Köln Hauptbahnhof and walk to the cathedral: the Roncalliplatz market stands in front of it. Continue through the Old Town towards Alter Markt and Heumarkt; the two Heinzels squares form a separate but nearby market route.
Time to allow
Allow around 4 hours at the destination, excluding travel.
If it rains
The Chocolate Museum at Am Schokoladenmuseum 1a offers an indoor alternative on the Rhine beside the harbour market area. Museum admission requires its own ticket; optional guided visits are booked separately.
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Matera · Sasso Caveoso

Province of Matera · Basilicata · Italy

Admission and costs
The living nativity lists €12 for adults and €7 for children aged 5–10, plus presale and booking fees; under-fives enter free. Official purchases are through Sudticket, selecting an available performance date.
Getting there
For drivers, Matera Welcome identifies Via Lanera and Piazza Matteotti parking near the centre. Continue to the entrance printed on your ticket rather than driving into the Sassi: the historic districts have specific access restrictions and controlled entrances.
Time to allow
Allow around 4 hours at the destination, excluding travel.
If it rains
Palazzo Lanfranchi beside Piazzetta Pascoli houses the National Museum of Matera’s art collections. It requires its own ticket, separate from the nativity event; Museo Ridola is temporarily closed and is not the proposed backup.
Where to park
Use parking on Via Lanera or at Piazza Matteotti. Continue to the entrance on your ticket and check vehicle restrictions in the Sassi.
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21 guides to explore

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Christmas in everyday life

The Singing Christmas Tree in Werdmühleplatz, Zurich, in an archive press photograph. This is not a performance from the 2026 edition.
TO DISCOVER

In Zurich the Christmas tree really sings. And you want to leave!

Red capes, green branches and dozens of voices: the Singing Christmas Tree is also a tree made of people. From 19 November to 23 December 2026 a square in the heart of Zurich is once again filled with music. And the concerts are free.

A nativity scene with the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
TO DISCOVER

CHRISTMAS: THERE IS MORE THAN ONE STORY IN THE NATIVITY SCENE!

Shepherds and Magi meet in our cribs. In the Gospels, they come from two different stories waiting to be discovered.

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