Italy over Christmas

Donohue,

You may want to read this post about New Year's eve in Rome: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/new-year-s-in-rome-62ed0a0c-32bf-4f7a-b46f-03c55ba17959

and this one on Christmas in Rome with teenagers: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/christmas-in-rome-with-teenagers

Rome is a great base for a Christmas trip. Florence is only one and one-half hours away from Roma Termini to Firenze's SMN on the fast train. Given the number of days for your trip, Rome alone or Rome and Florence may be doable.

Do as much research as you can now on must-see places you want to visit and then you will know how many cities you can take in. It's different once you get there. Counting travel time, possible jet lag, and any other human vagaries, this trip will take careful planning.

Normally, I would suggest mixing in a smaller town, such as Orvieto, but over the holidays things will be very quiet so I believe it is best to stick to larger cities. I think that with only 6 full days, you should only consider Rome plus one other city. Florence and Venice are good candidates, but you might also consider Naples so that you can see Pompei. Might be more fun for the kids.

Consider Ostia Antica, south of Rome, for a Pompei experience. Download the free App for www.rome2rio.com
for an idea of travel times between cities.

I would say stay in Rome for the week, perhaps a day trip to Ostia Antica or to Orvieto (or both). A week over the holidays is not a long time to cope with shorter hours, some closings on 12/31 (partial hours) and 1/1 (holiday).

Thank you - does Asissi
have a lot open over Christmas? I went there as a child- and loved it.

I stayed at Hotel Il Palazzo, just up the street from Saint Francis' Basilica, last year. It was lovely. Assisi would make a nice overnight (as would Orvieto).