LateRooms.com - Enjoy Epiphany celebrations in Florence

LateRooms.com can announce that anyone staying in Florence hotels in the new year may be interested to know that the city's festive celebrations will continue well into January.

One of the highlights of the Christmas season is the feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 6th.

Marking the day when the wise men arrived at Jesus' manager-side bearing their gifts, it also signifies the 12th day of Christmas.

In honour of the occasion, parades are organised in many of Italy's biggest cities, including Florence.

The day is preceded by a visit from La Befana, a white-haired witch who arrives by night on her broomstick and fills children's stockings with presents along the way.

According to Italian legend, the wise men asked the witch for directions on their way to Bethlehem. They invited her to join them but she declined, later changing her mind when she saw a bright light in the sky.

However, she got lost and never reached the manger with her gifts and now delivers presents to children across Italy, so the tale goes.

Commenting on the Epiphany celebrations, Jessica Reading, head of marketing for LateRooms, said: "We strongly urge people thinking of going to the Epiphany parade and who need hotel Firenze to book early to avoid disappointment."