I'll be in Venice over Christmas with my spouse and two teenage kids. We will be staying in and AirBnB with a kitchen.
Any ideas for unique holiday eating Dec 24-26? Ideas for church or general holiday fun the same dates? Thanks all!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23319 posts
Check very carefully. Our Christmas experience is limited to Spain and Germany. In both situations, everything started shutting down around noon on Christmas eve and stayed shut for Christmas day. A few restaurants associated with large hotels were open and packed. In Germany the beer halls were open on Christmas day and that is where everyone was. Our three year old granddaughter had her first beer that Christmas.
Posted by
11205 posts
We have spent Christmas, New Years in London and Rome. It took a lot of planning in advance and the help of local friends to get reservations and/or special holiday take out meals. Since you will have a kitchen for refrigeration and reheating,
find quality restaurants which will give you take out options. For Christmas Day dinner, we had to pick it up before ten am Christmas Eve.
Posted by
Land of La
8710 posts
Spent a Christmas holiday in Venice a decade ago. Nothing open as far as restaurants on Christmas Day.
Since you are in an apartment with a kitchen be sure to stock up.
Went to a Christmas Eve mass in a small church near my apartment accommodation. If I recall correctly it was Chiesa di San Giuseppe di Castello (San Isepo).
On Christmas morning walked to Park of Remembrance. Then meandered.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2331 posts
We attended a vespers mass at St. Marks on Christmas Eve about 20 years ago that was magical, and I’m not catholic. Stay up to hear all the church bells ringing at midnight.
We picked up groceries and ate in our hotel room. It will be easier with an apartment, but do prepare in advance for grocery stores to close early on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, we went to Murano and just wandered. Very peaceful. Back near St. Mark’s, we found (after much searching) a gondolier and took a ride. We were the only gondola on the Grand Canal, and we felt like celebrities with all the tourists taking pictures of us. I remember eating lunch near the Rialto bridge. Your restaurant choices will be very limited on Christmas.
Posted by
Gulf Coast, usa
1161 posts
We spent Christmas in Venice a few years ago. Attended mass at St. Mark's on Christmas morning. We were able to find some restaurants open, and a couple of bars even in the evening. Definitely quiet on Christmas Day, but enjoyable all the same. Weather was damp and cold. Be prepared to bundle up.