My wife and I are planning a trip to Europe between Christmas 2011 and New Year's day 2012, including a few days before and after. We are trying to take advantage of the paid days I receive off due to my company closing during the holidays. The last time we were there, we were in Strasbourg France on Christmas day, and everything was closed, as was to be expected. It was the last day of our trip, so we didn't see what was open between the holidays. We want to do Italy again, but we are curious if anything will be open. Your help would be appreciated.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11758 posts
Merry Christmas Tom (and everyone)! We hope to be in Italy most of December next year. I found this post on Revealed Rome to be encouraging. http://www.revealedrome.com/2010/12/what-museums-restaurants-shops-are-open-during-christmas-new-years-in-rome.html I recommend the enitre blog for those planning a trip to Rome. Great info!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23622 posts
Best at best is a relative term. There is no such thing as a European Christmas. The customs and traditions very greatly from the Germanic Christmas of north Europe to the more catholtic traditions of southern Spain and Italy. You need t
O decide what appeals to you
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Someday I hope to ring in the New Year in Scotland and experience Hogmanay.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
Usually, Christmas eve, Christmas day, and Sundays everything will be closed. Grocery stores, museums, etc. Some are restaurants open for Christmas day and New Year's day. French Christmas markets are open until Epiphany and German ones are only open until Dec 23. For sure, make hotel reservations as soon as you know where you're going. If there's a specific tourist sight you want to see, check now to see if it'll be open. Otherwise, starting Monday, all the stores in Europe are open early/late for huge after Christmas sales just like in the States.