Looking for quick getaways for the holidays, perhaps on Boxing Day or the following weekends but don’t know where and want to stay close to home? Here we come to the rescue by pointing out 3 villages + 1 about an hour from Milan that look like something out of a Christmas movie by how scenic they are with their lights, decorations and the magic that hovers in the air making you live a bit like in Mom I Missed the Plane. You know the illuminations of the mega mansions in the movie?
Grazzano Visconti
https://visitpiacenza.it/
In the province of Piacenza, we find Grazzano Visconti, which transforms into the “Magical Christmas Village” during the holidays: markets and an enchanted atmosphere: every alley and narrow street is lit up and immersed in magic among stalls of the large Christmas market, themed shows, traveling choirs, an ice skating rink, rides for the little ones and much more. Already in itself the village is magical with its castle and movie setting; at Christmas it becomes even more enchanted. The event will take place on Dec. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 and will end in January from the 1st until the 6th. On all days the hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entering the Christmas village costs 12 euros per ticket ( free for children up to 3 years old). While to visit the village only the entrance is free. We recommend that you enter. It will be like crossing the threshold of another world. It seems that time has stopped and it will really feel like entering a movie set.
Vigevano
https://www.araldolomellino.it/
A town with a fascinating historical-artistic and cultural value that for the holidays organizes “Christmas Under the Tower,” which transforms the city into a fairy tale of lights, music and tradition, especially in Piazza Ducale and the charming Castello Sforzesco, offering markets, ice rink, shows, children’s workshops and cultural events, with a rich program from late November until Epiphany.
And then Vigevano is really a gem: its extraordinary Piazza Ducale, a Renaissance masterpiece, the magnificent Castello Visconteo-Sforzesco (one of the largest in Europe), the Bramante Tower, and then it was considered by many to be the ideal city for Leonardo da Vinci, who stayed there and contributed to its development. In short, it is a hidden gem in Lombardy, perfect for an immersion in Renaissance beauty and Italian manufacturing culture.
Nesso
And we move on to Lake Como, which with the lights and reflections on the lake is pure magic. Here lies the famous Nesso gorge. A natural gorge on the lake, an impressive rocky cleft with thundering waterfalls, visible from the medieval village of Nesso.
Leggiuno
Leggiuno is our bonus offering-if the others are magical, Leggiuno is Disney fairytale. Think of the town dressing up with over 1 million lights lining streets houses to create light installations worthy of a movie. You can’t help but take a tour, all these lights are part of a Christmas Lights event. To get into it, reservations are recommended here. They will be closed on Dec. 24 and 31.
Which of these inspires you most for Boxing Day or next weekend?