Travel in December

Our first trip to Italy, in 1984 (!), was at that time of year - - me, a schoolteacher, two daughters, one in high school and one a college student, and my husband, so bound by school calendar. We had a wonderful time. We did the big three, plus a half-day in Siena on our return to Rome from Venice. I don't know about the other two, but Rome on New Year's Eve is a blast. Try to find a church with a special attraction during the Midnight Mass on Xmas Eve, and see some of the beautiful Nativity scenes on display. Even for us non-believers, it's a cultural phenomenon to be appreciated. I don't see any reason to use a travel agent. If you keep coming back to this site with your questions, people will help you. Collectively, we probably know more than most TAs. $1300 seems high to me. We paid less than that in May, rt from SFO/Rome. You're talking about low season. Check on kayak.com. Other posters will suggest other sites, as well.
Buon viaggio

No need for a travel agent. Go to Kayak.com (or other search engine) and search. It would be preferable to buy a multi-city ticket (open jaw) from JFK to Rome FCO, then returning to the US from Venice (without having to go back to Rome). There is a non stop Delta flight from VCE to JFK and one US Air VCE-PHL. Alternatively you could fly from VCE to any European big airport and from there back to the US. If you arrive to Rome, the most logical order would be to visit Rome first, then Florence (90 min. north via train or 3 hrs drive) then Venice (2hrs north of Florence via train). Do not book air travel between these cities because the train is much faster. Once you are done with Venice you could take a flight from there as I said above. In 10 days, including travel time, you don't have a lot of time to visit much more that those 3 cities. Rome needs 3+ days, Florence at least 2, and Venice also 2, with Murano and Burano included. You could add a day trip to Siena or one to Pisa from Florence. Or you could add a day trip to Verona or Padua from Venice.

As far as price are concerned I don't know if $1300 are high or low. From where? Houston or JFK? Also you are traveling during Xmas time, therefore prices might be higher. Kayak.com will search for the best prices on the date of travel. Whatever it is it is. If you are flexible with the dates, sometimes prices might drop if you choose a day rather than another. Just try. But make sure you search also a multi-city open jaw. When comparing prices over going back to Rome from Venice via train, consider that taking a train back from Venice to Rome FCO airport is 94 euro per person one way ($125).

I'd start in Venice and end in Rome, just because I think Venice is the best place to start, because it's the easiest to enjoy while getting over the long haul flight and the jetlag. I don't know where would be best to be over Christmas, though. Maybe someone will chime in with what's open on the 24th and 25th and if there's anything spcial going on.

We are traveling in December too. Bound by school vacation and we since we are using miles we are working around those restraints. So our tickets are into Munich (arrive early AM on Dec 22) and depart Milan on Dec 29. We spend one night Munich and then will take early train to Verona. One night there and then on to Venice for Christmas Eve and Christmas. Then to Bologna for two nights and last night Milan. We don't have much time but are used to fast paced travel. I figure if we love Italy we will return and see more. We loved Germany and that's what prompted us to search out places we could take train from Munich to as its easier to get FF tickets to Munich and we wanted one more night of German beer halls.

Thank you for all your help. We are hoping to book next week, so I will have a lot more questions then. What is a muti-city open jaw?

I also need hotel recommendations for Rome, Venice and Florence. We want to stay close to all the tourist places. My price range is $150 (US)per night. Since we decided on this trip last minute, I can't do all the research I usually do. I appreciate all your help. Thank you.

Open Jaw is single ticket but you arrive in one location and fly out of another. So on Kayak lets say instead of using round trip use the multi city option. As far as lodgings: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/travel/hotvenice.html, http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/travel/hotrome.html Although check each as costs may have risen. Stayed here in Florence on Christmas Eve. http://www.casarovai.com
Had the whole place to myself and watched "It's a Wonderful Life," in Italian on the TV in my room. Start booking soon!

Thank you for your reply, I will definitely look into this places. Will the trains be running on Christmas eve, Christmas and New Years Eve? Which city should we visit for Christmas eve and Christmas - Rome, Florence or Venice?
Thank you once again!

Trains run on Xmas day, however generally not the city buses (maybe only half day schedule). Xmas eve is like any other day in Italy. Rome, Florence, Venice are all good. Xmas eve is very busy with last minute shoppers everywhere. Lots go to mass in the night too. However Xmas day nearly everything closes as Italians tend to stay at home with family for the big luncheon. But I'm sure you'll find some restaurants or bars open for business in such touristy cities. Later in the afternoon of Xmas day you'll start seeing all the Italians (at least those who are still able to walk after the big lunch) out for a "passeggiata" (stroll) in the hope to digest the massive amount of food they ate in those 3 to 5 hours at the table.

We were in Rome last Dec 22-31 and travelled in Italy the entire month of December. (We moved here last May). 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. Be sure to mkae a reservation! 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 contrary to what Roberto had to say, 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.

Part II 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. As the holidays approach there will be lists of restaurants open, special exhibits, etc. One blog to watch is Parla Food. Katie always lists great ideas especially for dining. I also like Rome Revealedfor ideas and current events. Oh, and on the 26th, Via Fori Imperiali is closed to traffic and is thronged with Romans enjoying the passagiata. Quite the scene.