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Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays from Che Bella Tours! Enjoy this peek into the holiday traditions of the countries we tour including Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland and Greece. And as our gift to you, please download our SWEET HOLIDAY RECIPES and our YouTube MIX OF INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY MUSIC Wishing you wonderful adventures in the coming year. Happy Travels! Sandy Gregory, CITM Intrepid Traveler, Tour Director and Owner Che Bella Tours www.chebellatours.com [email protected] 303-596-4563 Campaign Preview HTML Source Plain-Text Email Details The Bella Buzz - December 2016

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Page 1: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

Happy Holidays!Happy Holidays from Che Bella Tours! Enjoy this peek into the holiday traditions of the countries we

tour including Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland and Greece.

And as our gift to you, please download our SWEET HOLIDAY RECIPES

and our YouTubeMIX OF INTERNATIONAL HOLIDAY MUSIC

Wishing you wonderful adventures in the coming year.

Happy Travels!

Sandy Gregory, CITM

Intrepid Traveler, Tour Director and Owner

Che Bella Tours

www.chebellatours.com

[email protected]

303-596-4563

Campaign Preview HTML Source Plain-Text Email Details

The Bella Buzz - December 2016

Page 2: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

ITALYBuon Natale!

Traditionally, Italians celebrate Christmas Eve with the ‘Festa dei Sette Pesci' or The Feast of the Seven

Fishes. What fish is included and how they should be prepared can vary from region to region, family to

family. There are different theories as to why there are seven fish dishes eaten. Some think that seven

represents the seven days of creation in the Bible, others say it represents the seven holy sacraments of

the Catholic Church. Dessert is often an Italian Christmas Cake called 'Panettone', enjoyed while the

whole family plays Tombola. It’s a simple, fun game, similar to bingo, that unites generations in laughter.

The Christmas tree was only adopted in Latin Catholic countries in the 19th century. In 1982, Saint John

Paul II was the first pope to actually have a Christmas tree erected in St. Peter’s square. Traditionally, the

main focus of Italian decoration has been the Navity Scene. Telling the Christmas story with a nativity

scene began with living re-enactments of the biblical story. Naples is world-famous for its hand-made

'Presepe Napoletano'. These exquisitely carved Nativity scenes are traditionally put out on the 8th of

December, but the figure of the baby Jesus isn’t put into the crib until Christmas Eve. The scene might

also contain fruit, candy and presents, as well as every day people, craftsman, street vendors and

animals. Naples is also the home to the largest Nativity scene in the world, which has over 600 objects on

it! There is a still a street of artisan nativity scene makers called the 'Via San Gregorio Armeno'.

Italian children hang up their stockings on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. It’s based the tale of a

witch known as La Befana who arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills their

stockings. According to the legend, the night before the Wise Men arrived at the manger they stopped at

the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but she replied that she was

too busy. Later when it was dark and she saw a great light in the skies, she thought perhaps she should

have gone with the Wise Men. So, she gathered some toys that had belonged to her own baby, who had

died, and ran to find the kings and the shepherd. But Befana could not find them or the stable. Now, each

year she looks for the Christ Child. And each year since she cannot find him, she leaves gifts for the good

children of Italy and pieces of charcoal for the bad ones.

Page 3: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

FRANCE‘Joyeux Noël'

The word Noël comes from the Roman word ‘nael’ which means nativity. On Christmas Eve all around

France, the bells of beautifully lit churches and cathedrals ring out Christmas carols. Nearly every French

home displays a Nativity scene called a ‘creche,’ under the Christmas tree. As in Italy, these figurines,

called ‘santons,’ are sold in beautiful shops in many of the French towns, including Aix en Provence.

Le Reveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Le Revellion may consist of

poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit and wine, but the menu varies according to regional culinary tradition. In

Alsace, goose is the main course, in Burgundy it is turkey with chestnuts, and the Parisians feast upon

oysters and pate de foie gras. For dessert, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called

the “Buche de Noël,” which means “Christmas Log.” Once dinner is over, children and adults leave their

shoes by the Christmas tree for Pere Noel to fill with presents. In some parts of France, children are also

given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day.

Page 4: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

SPAIN‘Feliz Navidad!'

Christmas in Spain gets off to a rather peculiar and unofficial start on Dec. 22nd with the Lotería de

Navidad, or Christmas Lottery. An important social phenomenon, even people that do not make a regular

habit of playing the lottery often participate in this special drawing.

This celebration of economic good fortune is then followed by a Christmas Eve feast. The traditional

Spanish Christmas dinner menu includes ‘Pavo Trufado de Navidad’ which includes seafood, most

commonly langostinos or king prawns, turkey stuffed with truffles with a variety of desserts. Papá

Noel brings gifts for children to open on Christmas Eve followed by Midnight Mass or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’

(The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that

Jesus was born.

December 28th is 'Día de los Santos Inocentes' or 'Day of the Innocent Saints’ remembering the babies

that were killed on the orders of King Herrod. In Spain it is celebrated like our April Fools Day. People try

to trick each other into believing silly stories and jokes. Newspapers and TV stations also run silly stories.

While Christmas Eve “Nochebuena” is a family celebration, New Year’s Eve “Nochevieja” is a time for

partying with friends. It is a night for throwing fiestas called “cotillones” or for gathering in town squares

under the old clock tower waiting in eager anticipation for it to strike twelve. According to tradition, you

wolf down 12 grapes: one grape for each stroke of the clock at midnight to guarantee good fortune for

the New Year. The festive spirit continues until the wee hours of the early morning and January 1st is a

day of rest for those who have partied away the last night of the old year. Many bars open at 6-7 am to

serve hot chocolate with churros

Like Italy and France, Spain also celebrates the end of the Christmas holiday with Epiphany. Children write

Page 5: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

Like Italy and France, Spain also celebrates the end of the Christmas holiday with Epiphany. Children write

letters to the Kings on Boxing Day, December 26th, asking for toys and presents. They leave shoes on

windowsills, balconies or under the Christmas tree to be filled with presents. Gifts are often left by

children for the Kings, usually a glass of cognac and some walnuts, and sometimes a bucket of water for

the camels that bring the Kings! Some big towns and cities have Epiphany Parades with each King having

a big float that is shaped like a camel. That morning, the children wake up to presents and enjoy Roscón

de Reyes, a large, round, donut-shaped cake that is adorned with candied fruit and can be served with

cream in the center. Roscón always has a plastic figurine baked into it and whoever gets the piece with

the figurine inside typically wins, sometimes receiving money or some other prize or privilege. In some

families, however, the person who gets the figurine ‘loses’ and has to pay for the roscón.

IRELAND' Nollaig Shona Duit!'

A number of Christmas traditions, such as Christmas trees and mistletoe, are relatively new to this island,

but embraced nonetheless. Some people give presents to their whole family, others organize a “Kris

Kindle”, where each person is tasked with buying one gift for a family member.

There is an old Irish tradition of putting a tall, thick candle on the sill of the largest window of your home

after sunset on Christmas Eve. In the spirit of welcoming Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for

shelter, it is a symbol to welcome strangers and to remember those who are far away from home.

A unusual tradition of swimming in the sea on Christmas Day has been popular and has grown in

significance in recent decades. At the Forty Foot swimming area near Dun Laoghaire, south county Dublin,

intrepid souls brave the cold weather and form an orderly queue to jump into the very cold Irish Sea.

Many use the swim as a chance to raise money for charity.

Page 6: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

On the Irish Christmas table will be roast turkey and stuffing, clove-studded baked ham, crispy goose fat

potatoes, steamed Brussels sprouts, buttery sweet carrots, crispy parsnips, cranberry sauce, bread sauce,

gravy, and of course, Christmas Pudding and mince pies, often eaten with delicious brandy butter. The

pudding is presented in flames, with brandy poured over it and set alight.

The day after Christmas Day is called St. Stephen’s Day, or Boxing Day. The day often includes visits to

church, the neighbors and another large meal. In some villages, groups of ‘wren boys’ dress in costumes

and march through the streets and pubs beating drums, blowing whistles and singing. They are

celebrating a victory over a plot by the English against local Irish soldiers during Penal times: about to be

ambushed, the soldiers were alerted by group of wrens who pecked on their drums, woke them up and

helped thwart the plot.

SCOTLAND'Blithe Yule Nollaig Chridheil!'

Scottish Christmas traditions haven’t been around very long. For nearly 400 years, the celebration of

Christmas as we know it was banned in Scotland during a period known as the Reformation. The Free

Presbyterian of Scotland, or ‘we frees” officially discouraged Christmas holiday festivities until the 1950’s,

but Christmas, or Yule Day, has always been celebrated by everyone else. The Scots do not celebrate a

Catholic mass, nor do they believe the divinity of the Virgin Mary … slightly controversial hence the

Page 7: The Bella Buzz - December 2016 - Che Bella Tours · The Bella Buzz - December 2016. ... given gifts on December 6, which is The Epiphany and St. Nicholas’ Day. SPAIN ‘Feliz Navidad!

Catholic/ Protestant divide. But as many countries do, families embrace many of the today’s popular

Christmas traditions. Yes, there are Christmas trees and presents for all. And on Christmas day, family and

friends sit down to a meal of turkey with neeps [turnips] and roast potatoes. The most popular pudding,

or dessert, is called Cranachan. Pronounced 'cran-och-han', it celebrates the best of Scottish ingredients:

cream, honey, fresh raspberries, oatmeal and a wee bit o’ whisky.

Hogmanay: Four Days of Reverie

The Reformation may have halted the advancement of Scottish Christmas traditions, but Scottish New

Year's always brightens the cold and dark winter. For nearly a week, Scottish revelers celebrate the dawn

of the new year with street festivals, concerts, parties, and large bonfires. Some of the customs include:

Redding the House: This annual cleaning rids the home of bad luck from the previous year and

encourages good luck in the new. Part of this custom may include burning juniper branches within the

house until it fills with smoke, then opening all the windows to cast out spirits. On the stroke of midnight,

all the doors are open to let the New Year in. Dinner is enjoyed, the party goes until the wee hours of the

morn', … and there are very few sober mailmen at this time of year!

First Footing: The Scots open their homes to everyone in the neighborhood, and the first visitor is called

the First Footer. As a gift, coal is given for warmth, shortbread for abundance and whisky to toast each

other's health in the coming year. You then need to return to the First Footer's house sometime over the

next few days to offer them the same wishes. This ritual of goodwill can go on for weeks.

"Auld Lang Syne": Scottish poet Robert Burn crafted the lyrics to this classic tune, which rings through

the neighborhoods as neighbors reminisce over old times and renew friendships.

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GREECEKales Diorites!

Even though decorations have become more lavish and the foreign influences are evident, for the Greek

Orthodox, Christmas has traditionally been a quiet, solemn season that is close to the true spirit of the

holiday. While the Greeks enjoy a Christmas tree, it is an imported tradition. Traditionally they decorate a

small boat to celebrate their affiliation with the sea and it’s long marine history. The Christmas boats are

made of paper or wood, decorated with lights and a few simple ornaments. They are usually placed near

the front door or by the fire with the bow pointing to the interior of the house symbolizing a full load of

riches reaching one’s home.

While other cultures have Christmas elves, the Greek’s have the mischievous and even dangerous spirits

called the Kallikantzari, who love to prey upon people and causing a mess during the holidays.

Greek Christmas carols, called 'Kalanda,' are beautiful carols that have been handed down from Byzantine

times and add to the reverent quality of the celebration. On the morning of Christmas Eve, children go

from home to home and sing the Kalanda accompanied by the sounds of triangles, guitars or harmonicas.

In return, they receive sweets and money.

On Christmas Day, after church services, family and friends gather for the big Christmas meal. Every

Christmas table includes loaves of Christopsomo ("Christ's Bread") and either a roast turkey with a

stuffing of rice, minced meat, raisins and chestnuts or the more traditional roast pork. The Greek

Christmas feast wouldn't be complete without traditional Greek Christmas cookies are called

Melomakarona, honey-dipped cookies often stuffed and sprinkled with walnuts.

After Christmas, Greek children impatiently wait for New Year's Day (Protochronia) because it is the

custom to exchange gifts then instead of on Christmas. That's when St. Basil, the Greek Santa

Claus, delivers their gifts.

At Che Bella Tours, we are truly invested in delighting our guests. We become energized when they rave

about having the time of their lives. We ask you to join us in communicating the difference we bring by

forwarding this newsletter on to a friend and liking us on Facebook.

Copyright © 2016 Che Bella Tours, LLC, All rights reserved.