E’ questa la suggestiva presentazione del sito ufficiale de Santa Claus’ House, the most important event in the spa town of Montecatini Terme, dedicated to Christmas. It is here that during the Christmas season adults and parents will gather to cross the most famous entrance door in Italy.
The large carved door guards the secrets and wishes of all the children in the world, with the most precious gifts that Santa Claus will deliver on Christmas Eve night. The 2016 new features organized inside Santa Claus’ House in Montecatini and around the city are many.
Outside Santa Claus’s House
The whole town is bustling with the arrival of Santa Claus! The Gift-Wrapping Elves, always ready to party, have organized a multitude of Special Parties in the city center, where children and parents can have fun until late at night. The must-attend party this year is the Gift-Wrapping Elves Party, organized from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, where the Great Elf with the Green Hat will show you how to celebrate at the North Pole: lots of baby dance, tasty workshops, and plenty of delicious food. That’s right! Those greedy Gift-Wrapping Elves have organized a delicious dinner based on typical products and flavorful dishes.
The Christmas Markets
Always outside Santa Claus’s House, there will be the Christmas Markets, much loved by tourists, with small traditional gifts from the area, handmade crafts, local food and wine products, and many little gifts for the little ones. Perfect presents to place under the tree for relatives and friends.
Inside Santa Claus’s House in Montecatini
As soon as you step through the entrance door of the Tamerici Thermal Castle (where the first part of the house is located) you will be enveloped by an atmosphere of magic and wonder.
The first section is called the Enchanted Path, with Elves welcoming you and the large Christmas trees setting the scenery for the entire passage. Pause to look at the various hidden characters in the undergrowth. Gnomes, owls, and many other friendly friends will welcome you to the residence.
Just turn the corner to admire Santa Claus’s House in all its splendor. The large Desk is full of wish letters yet to be read, while nearby you can admire the Book of the Good and the Clever and many letters ready to be fulfilled. A few steps further and here is Santa Claus’s Bed, a concentrate of elegance and color (the temptation to lie down is really strong) that will leave wonder and amazement in the children’s eyes. The emotions are not yet finished in this first section of Santa Claus’s House.
Waiting for us will also be Santa Claus’s large Sleigh, which from the North Pole reached Montecatini Terme, illuminated by the trail of the northern lights. We move inside the Tettuccio Thermal Baths (about 300m away) to see other parts of the House. The large white marble columns frame a spectacular scenography. Here we will find:Letter Writing Station: with the incredible mechanism hand-operated by the Elf postmen
The Elves’ Village: the outdoor area of Santa Claus’s House with the very large wooden houses where the Elves sleep. Hands in Corn Workshop: a creative workshop where a myriad of colored corn bricks will be used. Just a little water will be enough to create real works of art to hang on the Christmas tree. Stick I Create (by SAMMONTANA): one of the workshops most loved by children, who can unleash creativity using the wooden stick from the most famous ice cream in the world. With a pinch of imagination, the wooden sticks will become precious Christmas decorations to gift to relatives and friends Fairy Tale Time: it’s time to listen to the Fairy Tale Elf, sitting on soft cushions. Stories of elves, wizards, knights, princes, and princesses await us… Not to be missed!
The Wooden Toy Factory: with the help of Master Elf Craftsmen and mom and dad we will arm ourselves with nails, hammers, and pieces of wood to build a real gift to take home. Are you ready to become little carpenters?
Tips for a perfect organization
Lunch with Santa Claus (outside Santa Claus’s House). The number of people present in the city of Montecatini Terme during the Santa Claus event puts restaurants, bars, and pizzerias in downtown Montecatini to the test. It is not uncommon to find long lines to eat. To eliminate this problem and provide optimal service to those traveling with children, this year the SANTA CLAUS INN has been created, a restaurant area organized and designed for families with children, where it will be possible to book the arrival time in advance and find a place available in less than 5 minutes.
The perfect solution to taste local specialties, with a careful eye on children’s palates, without lines and with excellent service.
How to reach Santa Claus’ house
The municipality is crossed by the A11 motorway with the Montecatini Terme exit, and as I mentioned earlier it is only 39 km from Florence, 34 km from Pisa, 21 km from Lucca, and 12 km from Pistoia, making it attractive from a logistical point of view as well. The motorway exit is Montecatini Terme (A11) while for those arriving by train there are two stations: Montecatini Terme Succursale and Montecatini Terme Centrale. If you want to reach the center, get off at Montecatini Centrale. Santa Claus’ House – Castello delle Terme Tamerici is located on Viale delle Tamerici (pedestrian area) – Montecatini Terme – Pistoia Santa Claus’ House – Terme Tettucciosi is at the end of Viale Verdi (pedestrian area) – Montecatini Terme – Pistoia.
The term in the city
Montecatini Terme is one of the most important tourist destinations in Tuscany, located in the heart of the region just a few kilometers from Florence and Pisa and the two main airports. The city owes its fame in Europe and worldwide mainly to the rich therapeutic properties of its thermal waters. For centuries, the Montecatini thermal baths have been a place of regeneration, well-being, beauty. Tettuccio, Regina, Excelsior, Leopoldine, Salute, Redi, and Torretta are thermal establishments immersed in wonderful parks greatly enjoyed by tourists. For the Xmas House event, the Terme Tettuccio and Terme Tamerici have been set up.
OPENING HOURS
The Xmas House is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entrance at 6:00 PM) PROMO HOTEL + DINNER + ENTRY
TICKET PRICE
ADULT ENTRY:
Euro 13.00
Reduced ENTRY CHILDREN: Euro 12.00 (0-11 years) ELF VILLAGE: Euro 5.00 (per person) FAIRY TALE STORYTELLING: Euro 4.00 (per person) CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP: Euro 12.00 per person
CHOCOLATE TASTING: Euro 5.00
For visitors with disabilities (who pay the reduced price) we welcome one companion free of charge per person!
