Hi - after a week in Florence 12/29/24 - 1/5/25, I have two nights free (Jan 5/6) before I check into an artist residency just south of Genoa. (on Jan. 7 I travel to Genoa & then to my residency) Will things be open in Rome on Jan. 5 & 6? (the 6th is Epiphany). and will it be terribly crowded? If Rome isn't advisable on Jan. 5/6, what would you all suggest for those two nights, if i'm working my way from Florence to Genoa? (i will not have a car, so will depend on trains). Towns, places to stay, what to see would be much appreciated, thank you!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8072 posts
Maybe the first thing I would point out is that Rome is not on the way to Genoa, in fact pretty much the opposite direction.
I might expect that a religious holiday, especially in what will be a Jubilee year will be busy in Rome (though Epiphany is not as big a holiday for the Catholics, much more so in the Orthodox world). However, Booking.com shows very good availability those days, so I am thinking not terribly crowded.
Other options? Bologna, though not very far might be an option, Modena or Parma maybe interesting. On the Southern route, Lucca stands out. If the time of year was warmer, a number of places along the coast, including the Cinque Terre, might be worth a couple nights, but lots of things in idle mode in January. If you wanted to go a bit out of the way, Milan could be nice, a bit further would be Turin.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6487 posts
You are wise to check for Epiphany. I don't have personal experience for Italy, but I can say we were surprised in both Barcelona and Vienna that Epiphany was a major holiday and some places were closed. A google search indicates that Epiphany is a holiday in Italy and a Holy Day of Obligation for those of the Catholic faith.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1706 posts
In 1977 the Italian government abolished some festivities to boost national productivity, but the battle about Epiphany was lost and in 1985 a new government was forced to reinstate it. In Rome gifts are given to children (actually the gift-giving at Epiphany is more important than at Christmas) and the traditional market for toys and gifts is at Piazza Navona. I couldn't tell exactly how, but it is quite different from northern Europe Christmas markets.