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Start in Rome or Start in Milan? Where to spend Christmas?

Posted by (USA - in the south) on

Hello
We arrive in Italy on Dec 12 and fly out on the 31st, 2015. Originally, we were looking for snow fun, but as the weather is so unpredictable we are now looking for a more traditional tour of Italy. We will fly into Rome and out of Milan or the reverse. I am most concerned about where to spend the actual Christmas holiday as I have a son and we need to have a place Santa can visit and I don't want to feel as if we are isolated in some sterile hotel. In addition, I know the holidays can get booked up quickly, and can be expensive. We are on a limited budget and prefer Bed and Breakfast style accommodations rather than hotels.

Possible places on our list are Pompeii, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Venice, Milan and possible trip to Italian alps or Dolomites. I know this is a lot and we only have 3 weeks so any suggestions on what to drop or how long we will need at each place would be great. We will NOT have a car, but plan on using bus and rail. While I know "everywhere" in Italy will be beautiful and fun, I am really looking for some guidance. I have been to Italy a few times but my husband and son have not. We enjoy just about everything (food, museums, walks through neighborhoods, architecture, music, futbol, glass blowing, etc etc) but of course are looking for things that a 12 year old will enjoy as well.

Questions?
Better to start in the South and work our way up? (I'm guessing it gets colder as we go, might have a more Christmassy feel but may be more expensive for Christmas?)

Start in the North and work our way down? (Would this give us nicer weather for more of the trip? Is this a cheaper option?)

Maybe Start in Rome and day trip to Pompeii and then settle in Verona and do day trips to Bologna, Venice ?

Are there any "special" less mainstream festivals or events happening in some locale that we shouldn't miss?

Any friendly, clean, family run or oriented accommodations with easy access to attractions?

I would really appreciate any and all suggestions. My husband and son will celebrate their birthdays on this trip as well as Christmas and consequently I am feeling overwhelmed and really want to plan a nice vacation.

Posted by
16268 posts

I prefer to start in the north (Milan or Venice) and return from Rome, mainly because the Rome airport is near the city center and flights back to North America generally depart in the morning. Milan and Venice airports are farther from the respective city centers (unless you use Milan-LIN). Flying to Milan-MXP is generally a bit cheaper. Weather will be cold regardless, more so in the north. If you plan to go to the Dolomites, dress accordingly. There will likely be snow in the mountains.

Posted by
21462 posts

If you want to do snow fun, your first week there is your best bet. Starting Saturday the 19th, Christmas ski holidays begin and lodging will be at its maximum for the year, and just before, they will be at there are lowest. I was there last year in early December and the snow conditions were not ideal, but with weather, who knows what this year will bring. Ortisei and Selva will be quite nice, reached by bus from Bolzano. In Bolzano there is the "Iceman" museum with 4500 year old "Oetzi" on display. Bolzano has a great Christmas market.
So I guess I would fly to Milan, spend a couple of nights there and recover from jetlag, then to the mountains, then to Verona and Venice. Verona has a big Christmas market as well. In Venice, they will have an outdoor ice skating rink set up in the Campo San Polo open in the evenings. Definitely stay in Venice.
You can head south from there. Florence should be nice. If you can be in Rome Christmas Eve should be a lot going on there, especially the Vatican. After Christmas you can go to Pompei, then back to Rome and head home.

Posted by
663 posts

For a more "homey" feel on Xmas day, rent an apartment for a couple days wherever you happen to be staying. That way you'll have a kitchen and a bit more space to spread out in case there isn't many restaurants open or sites to visit.

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