We are a family of 4 (2 daughters in their 20's) landing in Rome on Dec. 24th departing Rome Jan. 2nd. We would love advice on planning the best Itinerary factoring in cooler temperatures, desirable areas, what may or may not be open . Presently, we have reservations (that can be changed, flip, flopped, whatever) in Rome @ Hotel Campo Fiori 12/24- 12/29, in Sorrento 12/29 - 1/1 @ Hilton Sorrento Palace (due to hotel points), and Hilton @Rome airport 1/1 (points). We are struggling with the itinerary given these considerations: balancing art, history, quaint villages..would love to get a taste of Tuscany and have wondered about going straight there if we could find a wonderful Christmas Day experience or perhaps best to day trip it from Rome to Orvieto area and perhaps other suggestions? It seems few sights are open on 12/25-26 in Rome, so that is of issue. We've thought maybe of going down to Sorrento sooner then heading back toward Rome so as to be there New Year's Eve (though then little open on New Year's Day). Some may say, choose different dates, but these are what we have given our busy lives. We love art, history, villages, food and wine...maybe someone out there may know of the ideal Christmas Day experience ..& then of course there is the weather to factor in given the time of year. We have a tall order we know, but first family vacation in 5 years and the prospect of it being our last, has us wrestling with multiple thoughts. Any and all advice greatly appreciated!!!!
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I would look in to Christmas at somewhere smaller, say Orvieto. Others may advise what you could expect with restaurants etc on Xmas Day.
Dec 24. Arrive in Rome. To Orvieto (3 nts)
Dec 25. Christmas Day in Orvieto
Dec 26. Day trip to Florence
Dec 27. Train to Sorrento (3 nts)
Dec 28. Positano
Dec 29. Pompeii
Dec 30. Train to Rome (3 nts)
Dec 31. Rome sights
Jan 01. Rome sights
Jan 02. Depart from Rome
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11851 posts
I think David in Brisbane has given you a reasonable itinerary if you really want to hit three places. The only worry I have is how much one can find to do in Orvieto on Christmas Day, but that is a challenge no matter where you go. Ditto New Years Day. On either one, no matter where you are, your best bet is a long walk and a longer holiday lunch.
That said, be aware that most sites in Rome are open on the 26th of December, including the Colosseo, Palatino, and Foro Romano. There's is a presepi (nativity scene) museum at Piazza del Popolp that is open all day the 25th as well as on Jan. 1.
Wherever you are, do make reservations for holiday dinners a week or two in advance. The better restaurants get slammed on the 24th, 25th, 26th.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Personally, I think your original plan is good, but David's suggestion is good, too.
You really only have 9 nights at a time of year when travel can be slower (holiday transportation schedules on some days), and days are shorter, too.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
I too like Davids' itinerary, but would do this.
26th day trip to Montepulciano.
45 min. train ride, bus into town. Tuscan village, great wine and food. Christmas village and market.
27th train Orvieto-Pompeii Scavi. Change in Naples to the Circumvesuvian. Check luggage at the train station in Pompeii or at the site.
Retrieve luggage then on to Sorrento.
Posted by
Washington DC
28477 posts
I like Orvieto a lot. It's a very attractive town for wandering and has some actual sights beyond just the fabulous cathedral. But it's not terribly well-positioned as a base for day-trips to distant destinations since it's not a stop on the fast trains. The shortest trip I could find to Florence was 2:13 hours, and Naples takes closer to 2:30, if not longer. Then you have the switch to the Circumvesuviana and the actual ride to Pompeii, which I believe takes more than 30 minutes. So probably between 3 and 4 hours for the entire trip, one-way. Not a day-trip I'd want to make.
Definitely visit Pompeii from Rome, not Orvieto, if you want to see it.
Posted by
Honolulu, HI
180 posts
Having just done this trip last December, here are a few of my experiences.
We went to Sorrento BEFORE Christmas as it is less crowded than the week between Christmas and New Years then spent Rome over Christmas then off to Ovieto, Tuscany and few out of Florence.
Sorrento was unique as there were no tourists around, it was well decorated and not crowded.
There is plenty to do in Rome on Christmas Eve/Christmas day. On Christmas Eve, we visited Trajans Market, had lunch (reserved in advance), went to mass at the Vatican, had a 11:00pm dinner at a restaurant near Pizza Navona while walking back to our apartment. On Christmas Day, we woke up, had a coffee near the Pantheon, walked over to Trevi Fountain, had lunch (made a reservation ahead of time), walked up to Piazza Popolo, shopped, visited the 100 precipe (nativity scenes), shopped more, had dinner with friends (again made reservations well ahead of time).
We left for Orvieto on the 26th. The town was alive, everything was open and, very few tourists.
I would suggest being in Rome over Christmas as more things will be open and there will be more things to do on Christmas Day.
mt $0.02.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
We just wanted to thank all who have responded!!! The varying advice has been very useful, and the additional suggestions extremely helpful. And thank you so much for letting us know some specifics in terms of what we can foresee being open on Christmas Day as well as the day after! We are now exploring the thought of Orvieto more thoroughly as well as the timing of Sorrento. It may well be, too, that we will stay in Rome for Christmas, venture outward several days following, and then we'll need to figure out a good New Year's Eve plan. Thank you all very much!! (And feel free to offer any other thoughts - the more the merrier.)