Posts Tagged ‘fairs’

At the foot of the Dolomites near Bleggio Superiore, the charming village of Rango, with its medieval houses and piazzas linked by covered walkways, is a pleasure to visit at any time of the year.  However during the month of December, Rango becomes enveloped in Christmas magic when it hosts a Christmas market and fair.

Rango is considered one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, and on the run up to Christmas its beauty is enhanced by the presence of all things Christmas.  This is probably the place which put the ‘jingle’ in the classic Christmas song Jingle Bells, as Rango is brimming with Christmas spirit, especially on the 5, 6, 8, 12 and 19 December, when Rango’s cosy covered streets will be filled with stalls selling all manner of winter wonders.

During the Christmast markets many of the village’s inhabitants dress in traditional costume in order to recall the spirit of Christmases past.  Rango itself is covered in Christmas decorations with decorations embellishing balconies and then there are the open doors of the houses in Rango from which the aroma of Christmas treats fills the intimate streets of this mountain village.

Visitors to this Christmas event will be able to sample all manner of Christmas delights, such the local walnut cake made with sweet Bleggia walnuts.  This local cake is served with cafe d’orzo or mulled wine.  Competition to produce the tastiest walnut cake is fierce, and the best of the best of these cakes will be sold at auction, with the proceeds going to charity.

In addition to the walnut cakes and their enticing aroma, local craftsmen and women will be displaying their wares.  Christmas gift ideas will be abundant, as is often the case with Italy’s multitude of Christmas markets and fairs.  The streets of Rango will be a veritable feast for the eyes and for the senses.

As if the food and colourful costumes were not enough, Rango’s Christmas fair will have a musical accompaniment, with local groups playing both Christmas and local classics to add to the suggestive atmosphere of the Rango Christmas festivities.  Christmas melodies played by local musicians on the ‘cornamusa’, the Italian equivalent of Scottish bagpipes, will add to the distinctive flavour of this Christmas event.

On the 12 December the village will dedicate its festivities to the young and the streets of Rango will be filled with street entertainment, and Christmas tales will be told to children.  Back in days gone by, peasants would wrap themselves in straw to keep themselves warm while they worked, and as they worked, they would regale local children with tales of Christmas and local legend.  Rango has always been a magical place.

If you’ve been finding it hard to drum up the right quantity of Christmas spirit this year, then perhaps taking your family to Rango for a few days will help rekindle that traditional Christmas flame.  If this idea appeals, then here is are a couple of places to stay in Trentino, Italy.

The nearest airport is Verona, and a hire car equipped with snow chains is essential if you wish to get the most out of a holiday break in this mountain area of Italy.  Direct flights to Verona are available from London’s Gatwick and Stansted airports.