Holiday cheer

Unless you come to Europe in December, it's hard to imagine how much they like Christmas festivities. Sunday was Babbo Natale day here, then Monday was "Il Ponte," a bridge to the actual religious holiday of Immaculate Conception, which is Tuesday. So Italians are on a long-weekend holiday, and out in force shopping and taking the kids ( and dogs) to see the lights and activities.

When I arrived in Montepulciano I was shocked to see how many tourists were in town. I had to drive around several times before realizing that there were no available parking spaces to be had. None! Finally, I gave up and drove down to San Biagio where there were several spaces just outside the church. The steep walk back up the hill was grueling. I had to stop and rest twice as I thought I would have a heart attack before I made it back into the centro. I lived to write about it.

Montepulciano really puts on a great show with a full-blown Christmas Market up in the Piazza Grande. There are perhaps 40-50 gift stalls ranging from cured meats to jewelry and hand-knit hats. The Town Hall is lit up with dancing snowflakes and holiday music is plaing over speakers. Behind the Municipio, there's a food court with all manner of pastas, burgers, pizza--geared toward family and kids. I got a good laugh out of this sign translated into "English": 

The Fortezza is all decked out in holiday lights and you must buy a ticket to enter the Castello di Babbo Natale, which is decorated and set up for children. 

Outside the fortezza is a skating rink, complete with skate rental shop and hot chocolate booth. It was fun to watch folks attempt to skate on the slippery rink--clearly for the first time in many cases.