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Anyone take a Rome city tour Christmas week?

Hi we may have an opportunity to take the Rome city tour Christmas week. Anyone take one during this time? Feedback? I am concerned on such a short tour when two days are holidays (24-25) what is it like? How is the weather? I know it can change. We have taken quite a few tours so know the drill just wondering about this week and the Rome city tour? Such little detail given in the reviews they are not really helpful anymore. Thank you for your insight.

Posted by
54 posts

I haven't taken the RS Rome city tour but my husband and I took a Mediterranean cruise that stopped in Rome the week after Christmas. It was in the 50's-so definitely a little nippy but bearable with a spring/fall jacket. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine chapel were very crowded but the rest of the city wasn't too bad. Nice time to go!

Posted by
16 posts

My husband and I took the RS Rome tour during Christmas in 2016. The weather ranged from high 30s to 50F. It was fine. I forget exactly what we did on Christmas, but never felt adrift or stranded because of the holiday. In fact, went to midnight mass outside of Vatican on Christmas Eve, it was wonderful with nice, large but manageable crowd. I'd do it again. On either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day we toured the Jewish neighborhood of Rome. I myself prefer this kind of weather to the heat, humidity and unbearable crowds of summer.

Posted by
467 posts

Thank you so much for the replies. With a son in College & a daughter in high school hard to get everyone together. This may be the only time that works.

Posted by
3150 posts

I've been on three Best of Christmas tours - Paris, Florence and Rome - and they were all wonderful. The weather in Rome is chilly but comfortable and visiting St. Peter's and some of the other churches was great. I was even able to attend midnight mass at Santa Maria Maggiorie. Everything described in the itinerary for the Best of Rome was accomplished, though not necessarily in the order listed. Although some things closed early on the 24th, it isn't a holiday.

Posted by
467 posts

Thank you again for the great replies. Did you stay after the tour in Rome or travel anywhere else? If you did stay in Rome did you stay in the same hotel? I know a busy time and trying to plan a few days after the tour if we go.

Posted by
3150 posts

On my first trip, I stayed in Rome an extra 3 days. I spent two weeks in Sicily and then drove up the Amalfi Coast on my way to Rome on my second trip. If you stay a few extra days, you can take day trips to Orvieto or Tivoli or go to Naples for a few nights.

Posted by
467 posts

Hi would you suggest these day trips during a holiday week? Thanks so much for your insight.
Would you go to Florence ( which we have been before) or somewhere else for a few days after the tour? We would probably want to be back home for the New Year since my College son needs to be back for the start of the quarter.