Christmas on Lake Maggiore is one of a kind: living Nativity scenes and ancient traditions bring Christmas eve alive, Christmas markets and fashionable boutiques animate the historical centre of the Lake towns offering visitors an enchanting panorama.

Arona, Stresa, Baveno, Verbania and the many surrounding towns are all lit up and decorated for Christmas, offering a chance to re-discover the traditions of past times with representations and animations that dive into the past. Arona, in particular, in December is dressed to celebrate in the form of a variety of initiatives to celebrate Holy Christmas: markets, concerts, snacks and games for children in streets and illuminated squares make the build up to Christmas more exciting. To counter the rigour of the season, there will also be many cultural proposals: Villa Ponti -an historic location for exhibitions dedicated to the all time greats of painting, which have attracted thousands of visitors over the years - or in civic museums: located in piazza San Graziano, both the archaeological and mineralogy museum offer interactive areas to learn more.

With regards to food and drink culture, the city has a noble tradition: whether you are in a typical restaurant with ancient flavours or a high-cuisine restaurant, the many restaurants of Arona re-confirm the prestigious city culinary tradition that combines variety, innovation and attention to quality.In short, when you go to Arona for the holiday season, you go with all senses and in all senses, as well as in all seasons.

Don't miss the ancient village of Orta San Giulio, on Lake Orta, twenty minutes from Arona. This small medieval enchanting hamlet is ideal for romantic walks, and a visit to the sacred mount to find a moment of faith and recollection.

After shopping, just a few kilometres you can ski on the slopes directly overlooking the Lake. Mottarone, above Stresa, and Pian di Sole, above Verbania are two of the ski resorts of the Neveazzurra district which stretch from Lake Maggiore up to the mountains of the Val d'Ossola. 150 km of slopes, with stations on a scale capable of meeting the needs of all skiers from beginners to experts.