Barack Obama in the Christmas Crib: it happens in Italy.
A miniature statue of President-elect Obama is ready to be inserted in nativity scenes in Naples.

There’s a long tradition in Naples as regard Christmas nativity statues, and every year, besides the Jesus and Madonna figurines, they make also statues of contemporary characters. That’s why the President Obama became part of the Neapolitan crib. Also Mc Cain has been represented in a statue.

In the historic centre of  Naples, in Via San Gregorio Armeno, you can find a lot of shops with creative nativity statues.
Together with the traditional figurines you will also find copies of animals, objects, food and even celebrities and politicians.

At Christmastime, Naples draws thousands of tourists (both Italian and foreigners) to its crowded streets. The shops in this street are especially creative and many buy statues for their cribs.
If you want something special for your Nativity scene you just have to choose.

I’ve never been to Palermo.
But when I think about Sicily I think about the sea, the scent of summer flowers, the warm sun and the wonderful food that my Sicilian friend Giuseppina use to cook, trying to try out new recipes blending ingredients from different cultures: the Mediterranean cuisine with the Arabian one.
Speaking of which, I found in the net a website of a restaurant in Palermo where I want to eat when I’ll go to Sicily: Il mirto e la rosa is the name of the restaurant, and vegetables and fish are the specialties.
Antonella Sgrillo, a former teacher that have renounced to her teaching career to dedicate herself to the food one, have opened the restaurant in 1987, following her passion for the vegetarian cuisine. In the years, she have experienced many type of cuisine, trying to take the best from every culture. That’s how many dishes are born: spiced cous-cous with season vegetables, basmati rice with curry lobster… and many more!
An unexpected mix of flavours that promise to be very appetizing, especially if I take a look at the desserts.
The restaurant is in the very centre of Palermo, close to many hotels (maybe you can find an accommodation in Sicily right there) and to the most important theatres of the city: Politeama and Massimo.
It could be the right way to discover Sicily in another way.

Italian version.

Florence is one of the cities which inspires a trip to discover its culture, art and history. Maybe even taking advantage of a few days or a weekend off, one can relax, strolling around the ancient streets of Florence and the alleys hidden by the fine buildings present in the city centre.
Florence is best known for being the “Cradle of the Renaissance”. Artists and philosophers named Leonardo, Dante, Michelangelo, and Donatello called Florence home during this period of Naturalism, and you can find their work at the Uffizi and the Accademia Museums.
Florence is one of the most famous cities of the world for its marvellous artworks, monuments and typical streets.
Near Florence there are many others Tuscany marvellous cities and villages like Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti hills, extc.
If you’d like to create your own trip with the help of an expert staff that will organize with you a perfect itinerary in base of your requests, you have to ask to Accord Solutions, a new travel agency specialized in organization of customized private tours of Florence and Tuscany territories.
Florence Private city tours and walk, Florence cities sightseeing, Tourists guides, Private Shore excursions, Amateur Gourmet experiences and many other solutions for a perfect trip in this marvellous territory!

[Florence city sightseeing] [Rental of earphones for tour groups] [Florence tourist information] [Tourist guides] [Customised service by taxi and minivan] [Florence guided tours]

Italian version

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If you want to know something more about Christmas and economic crisis, I found a very interesting article by Paul R. La Monica (CNNMoney.com editor) taken from CNN website.

He writes that, even if the sales over the Thanksgiving weekend have been strong, the consumers will probably use Internet to get discounts for Christmas shopping.

The NRF (National Retail Federation) estimates that consumers spent more than a year ago for Thanksgiving festivities (7,2% more) but predicts a small increase in holiday shopping sales (2,2%), which would be the smallest increase since 2002.

But Mr. La Monica writes that even that forecast is considered too rosy by many other industry experts.

If you’re interested in his analysis read his article.

Rome and the Spanish Steps: what a romantic postcard for a Christmas in Italy!
Even if Rome, during Christmas holidays, is really crowded with people and tourists, it’s maybe more fascinating than in the other periods of the year. There are many little Christmas markets all around the city, but one of the most typical is the one in Piazza Navona: from December 8th to January 6th you can admire many stands with every sort of things and buy there your gifts.

But a romantic Christmas holiday can’t be complete without a romantic place to stay.
That’s why you have to choose a beautiful accommodation in Rome, if possible closer than you can to all the best monuments, so you can stroll around the city on foot.
Locanda Senatorum is, for example, one of the best place I’ve ever slept in.

It’s placed in a very central position, near Piazza Navona, in a characteristic Roman building with an internal yard, and offers only six rooms, really well furnished. Each room has its bathroom and its own luxurious courtesy basket, and a big continental breakfast is included.
The staff is indeed very nice: they can speak English and help you wherever you want to go or whatever you want to do.

Unfortunately, I won’t go in Rome for Christmas this year, but I checked on the Locanda Senatorum’s website that there is a very special offer…

Italian version.

Booking info.