Family trip to Italy over Christmas

Many museums may be closed on Christmas Eve (which falls on a Monday, a day when many museums have weekly closure), Christmas day and maybe St. Steven's Day (26 Dec.), which is a holiday in Italy. However there will be plenty of churches and tourist sites that are available to visit. If you tell us what you'd like to see and do during those days, we can help you find out what is open and what is not. Have you researched on one of many websites (incl. Rick Steves') what you'd like to see?. Just Google 'best of Rome' or something like that and you'll get plenty of ideas. I'm sure you'll find plenty of restaurants open on Christmas day downtown Rome. Don't worry, your family won't starve.

I was considering Christmas in Rome this year, and looked at Hotel Lancelot, near the Forum, recommended by RS. They have a holiday meal there, plus its a recommended hotel. I am staying there Dec. 13-16! Buy Rick Steves' ITALY for itinerary planning and closure information as well as prioritizing and getting ideas! Happy travels!

My husband and I are spending several weeks in Rome during the holidays. There appear to be just a few restaurants that will be open on Christmas Day, so a reservation for 5 will probably be a must. Pierluigi in the Centro Storico was recommended by our landlady for Christmas lunch and I made the reservation online. There may be several options in the Jewish Quarter, including Al Pompiere (a true Roman experience and a personal favorite). Another thought would be to do a walking tour on Christmas Day. There are several companies that offer that service including Viator.com. or you could put together your own itinerary. However, I don't think you will find any of the more notable sights open on the 25th or 26th. We plan to visit the Piazza Navona Christmas Market and doing the "crib crawl", visiting all the different nativity scenes (prescepi) throughout the city. Have a wonderful time and Buon Natale!

We were in Rome last Dec 22-31 and traveling in Italy the entire month of December. (We moved here last May). The 24th - 26th take some planning, but there's plenty to do. The 24th we spent the morning at the Borghese, shopped, had lunch, rested up, went to church at 6:30PM, then dinner at 8:30, followed by a nice walk to see more lights. The city is so decked out at Christmas! A very nice day. A very Roman thing to do is have a fish-based multi course feast on the 24th. The 25th we cooked a nice American breakfast, then took a walk through the Ghetto where it was pretty much business as usual. Lots of people were out and about . The ghetto was a great choice for dinner, too, but make a reservation because a lot of Italians dine out for Christmas! There are two precipi (nativity scene) museums open on Christmas Day so we visited one in early evening, taking in the lights at Piazza Venezia as well. The 26th we took a self-guided walking tour up the Gianicolo to Villa Doria Pamphilj, then toured the Palatine and Forum in the afternoon. We were exhausted! The point is, with planning, there is plenty to do even if some sites aren't open. Just walking (check out the book "24 Great Walks in Rome" for ideas ) is entertainment. As the holidays approach there will be lists of restaurants open, special exhibits, etc. One blog to watch is www.parlafood.com. Katie always lists great ideas especially for dining. I also like www.romerevealed.com for ideas and current events. Oh, and on the 26th, Via Fori Imperiali is closed to traffic and is thronged with Romans enjoying the passagiata. Quite the scene.

Thank you so much for your help everyone. We did look into Hotel Lancelot- very pricey (almost $500/night for 5), but it includes a great location, breakfast and dinner, and on Christmas Eve, a big, traditional Christmas meal. Love the idea of being able to eat with the other guests and talk about our days. Any other hotels you all know of that would have the same kind of vibe, but less expensive, or is that a pretty good price considering the food? My husband tends to stress having to find restaurants when we're jetlagged, or at the end of a long day of walking, so I thought this might be more relaxing, and then make sure on the other legs of the trip we branch out and eat at different places.Sounds like there will be lots to do even if the main tourist spots are closed for the holidays- thanks.