My family, 5 adults and 1 child, are planning a trip to Italy to celebrate Christmas. I'm looking for any and all suggestions as to what cities, towns, or villages, you would recommend in order to experience the traditions and customs of the holiday. Thank you so much.
Posted by
Beautiful Austin TX
582 posts
You should watch Rick Steves Christmas DVD! That should be very helpful to you. His kids were a little younger then, and it is a family DVD. I think it's called, "European Christmas" You will love it!
Posted by
Katy, Texas, USA
204 posts
Brian, My wife and I travel only off-season and we have been to Italy many times both on and around Christmas. I can't think of a better time to go. The Italians are more relaxed and pleasant (no tourist) and the Christmas customs are really fun. I wrote a piece on Christmas in Roma which you are welcome to but ETBD doesn't allow attachments so if you would like to have it I will need you email address.
Charles M. Luther
21350 Park Tree Ln.
Katy,Tx 77450
Ph 281-492-1512
cmluther@swbell.net
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
One word of caution - be prepared. We were in Italy just after Christmas in 2005 and it was bitterly cold up North - i.e. Venice, Florence, Pisa, Lucca.
We even got a huge amount of snow when we were in Florence. This is a rare occurance. So be prepared just in case the weather is not nice.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
Then again, we were there two years ago and often dined outside in Rome without heaters. We didn't even need our jackets at times. It was cooler and damper in Venice, but overall the weather was very pleasant. Dress in layers and be prepared for anything. The churches in Rome all have nativity scene displays and there was a great Piazza Novanna Christmas market, but overall Christmas was not commercial and touristy like in America.