We are planning to arrive in Rome on Dec. 22 and stay until day after Christmas. Any tips on what to see beyond the guide books and where to eat, especially on Christmas Eve and day, would be appreciated.we are planning on the Vatican.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
This is a Very Good Question! I was in Rome for Easter a year and a half ago, and made sure we made dinner reservations before we left the States for Easter Sunday dinner and Easter Monday Dinner as well, because in Rome, Easter Monday is a Big Deal!
Two things you can do -- call your hotel and ask them where you can get dinner on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day in a restaurant close by -- and then make the reservations through the hotel, and if necessary, even give a credit card # as a deposit.
The other thing you can do is go online and ask Roninrome.com He has the very best and very well known websites for all things Rome! There's also Parlaroma.com That's a "foodie" website that you may find interesting and helpful.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11851 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 presepe (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 at Parla Food has posted lists the past two years that you might find helpful in planning your holiday dining. No doubt she will do a 2013 version as well, a couple of weeks before Christmas.
Revealed Rome, Amanda Ruggerei's excellent site, had a terrific post last year about things to do in Rome at Christmas.
We were in Rome Dec 22-31, 2011 and traveling in Italy the entire month of December. (We moved here May 2012). 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 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.
Posted by
Lee, NH, United States
33 posts
where are the two presepe museums? I've read there is a big display in Piazza del Popolo but haven't seen anything else about museums. We are going to be there Dec 2-10. Thanks