Six rowers, all dressed as Father Christmas, cut a steady course across the Venetian lagoon on their mission to deliver presents to children…
Photo by Getty
In the far north of Italy, the bringer of gifts is St Nicholas, who comes on December the 6th, while children who have not been good may expect a visit from the dreaded Krampus (see more here). In the south, children will wait until January the 5th for their presents, when the Befana comes flying by on her broomstick. But everywhere, the cult of Father Christmas is also recognised – though in Venice he is as likely to arrive in a gondola as on a sled.