I am planning to be in Rome for Christmas and New Year's in Paris. Does anyone know what sites, museums, churches, etc are open during the holidays? Any Christmas markets? If so, where? Any and all replies will be appreciated.
Posted by
Kamloops, BC, Canada
484 posts
Here is a link which might be helpful re Paris: http://goparis.about.com/od/holidaysinparis/ss/Celebrating-New-Years-in-Paris-20152016-Guide.htm
Christmas markets in Rome : http://www.christmasmarkets.com/Italy.html
http://goitaly.about.com/od/christmasinitaly/tp/rome-christmas.htm
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
You will need to plan around holiday closures, and the biggest closure day is, of course, Christmas Day. Even that day, there were 2 [i]presepe[/i] (nativity scene) museums open, which are unique. The Ghetto is lively for dining, but reservations are essential and I would make them at least a week out for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Katie Parla has posted lists the past few years that you might find helpful in planning your holiday dining. No doubt she will do a 2016 version as well, a couple of weeks before Christmas.
Amanda Ruggerei's excellent site, had a terrific post in 2013 about things to do in Rome at Christmas. Note the Piazza Navona market has been less-than-stellar the past two years.
If church is in your plans, there are, to say the least, hundreds of churches to choose from. If you prefer English language, or early (18:00 or so) services, before dinner, you might Google "English services in Rome for Christmas" a week or two before the day. We found a Protestant service that way, in a charming Scottish Presbyterian church, paving the way for dinner at 20:30 and a leisurely Christmas Eve stroll after dinner. The American Catholic Church in Rome, Santa Susanna, also does services in English both early and late.
One final note: make a reservation ASAP for lodging. It gets very busy here!