Holidays at Aviano Air Base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Aviano and the surrounding community provides Airmen and their families multiple opportunities for travel and holiday celebrations on and off base.

The base provides holiday meals, events and travel opportunities to help Airmen get the most of the holiday season.

The La Bella Vista Club offers a prepared turkey dinner with side-dishes for Airmen and families who want a convenient holiday meal. For dorm residents, the commanders offer their time to serve meals at the La Dolce Vita dining facility.

If dinner plans aren't an issue, Aviano hosts several events on base to help spread holiday spirit.

For Airmen and families looking to volunteer, the cookie drive hosted by the Aviano Officers, Enlisted and Civilian Spouses' Club is a great opportunity. Last year, the club cooked more than 11,000 cookies for dorm residents that were delivered by first sergeants.

Aviano members looking to add some extra sparkle in the holidays can attend the annual tree lighting ceremony near the post office. Guests can enjoy some hot chocolate and baked goods while listening to carols and children can catch a glimpse of Santa with the Aviano firefighters.

From Veteran's Day to New Years' Day, the holidays provide several opportunities to explore Europe with multiple federal holidays and family down days.

Airmen who enjoy pre-planned trips can take advantage of the 31st Force Support Squadron Information, Tickets and Travel program. They have multiple trips for the upcoming holiday season with discounted prices for first term Airmen. Information, Tickets and Travel offers weekend trips to visit European locations such as Holland, Slovenia and Budapest and day trips to Christmas markets throughout Europe.

The 31st FSS Outdoor Recreation program offers ski and snowboarding trips around Europe as well as cave explorations and indoor rock climbing trips. They provide all the equipment Airmen need for the trips, even ski and snowboard jackets and pants.

For Airmen who enjoy travelling on their own, there are a multitude of opportunities outside of Aviano.

Piancavallo, just North of Aviano, is a short day trip that offers several ski and snowboard lifts and runs. Airmen who utilize the train for travel throughout Europe can use the Pordenone train station. Additionally, the Marco Polo Venice Airport offers cheap flights to see some of most famous cities in Europe.

"Being overseas, it's especially important to travel," said Chief Master Sgt. Batzer, 31st Fighter Wing command chief. "The military has given us an opportunity to see a plethora of things we would not be able to experience if we were in the states. Airmen should be planning things to do for the upcoming holidays."

The holiday season is a perfect opportunity for Airmen and their families to spend some much earned time together. There are several resources available and multiple opportunities for Airmen and their families to travel during the holidays and experience the unique culture of Italy and the rest of Europe. For more information visit the 31st Force Support Squadron website www.31FSS.com.