The first snow has fallen on the highest peaks, fresh winter air has arrived, town streets are illuminated in celebration and colourful market stalls offer objects of all kinds: in Val d'Ossola this the typical Christmas atmosphere created by the many markets in various town centres. Throughout December the Advent period will become even more suggestive and fascinating while you look for small hand-made objects, precious traditional goods and flavours and delicacies to give as gifts or simply try for yourself.

Many of the Christmas markets will be set up in the centre of various Ossola towns during the Sundays leading up to Christmas. The first will be on 1st and 2nd December 2007 in a Preglia di Crevoladossola, in the splendid park of Villa Renzi, (for info 0324 238301) with the Santa Claus Fair, a feast dedicated to Father Christmas and the world of presents with displays, stalls and food tasting. On the same date the traditional Christmas markets of Premosello Chiovenda, in the hamlet of Colloro overlooking Lower Ossola (for info 0324 88104).

The following weekend, 8th and 9th December 2007, Macugnaga's town square, with its typical Walser style houses, will host a market with typical wooden stalls offering hand crafted objects of all kinds including wooden or stone jewels as well as embroidery created by hand, not to forget traditional food and drink specialities.The market tour continues in the medieval town centre of Domodossola, on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December 2007. Here, in the heart of Ossola, the Advent atmosphere, coloured by the Christmas decorations and artisan creations, will be even more magical thanks to animation, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.