Christmas in Europe
As we learned filming our PBS European Christmas special, that’s a jolly time to travel. Please share your feedback and tips for travelers heading to Europe for the holidays.
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Christmas in London
We just spent 10 days in London through Christmas, and found it to be one of the most enchanting experiences of our traveling lives. We first of all had to dispel our own expectation of carolers dressed in period garb on every corner. Much of the time, we could not even tell that it was Christmas and would not have were it not for the incredible number of programs on the telly devoted to Christmas food preparation, including the ongoing debate about the relative merits of "sprouts", which to the British is the same debate that we experience over fruitcake.
Easily the best part was the amazing LACK of concentration on commercialism, consumerism and consumption. Hardly any commercials or advertisements were devoted to the purchasing of presents, the focus instead being on family and celebration. With the absence of our American obsession with buying presents, we simply felt as if we were dipped in magic waters. We were left with being able to focus on the culture and the spirit of the season, which also gave us the opportunity to focus on each other and the wonderment of the relationship. What a gift! We will now consider Europe as our home for Christmas, and the joy of the Season.
Paula and David Dickman
USA, USA USA 01/06/2012
December in Italy
We spent the entire month of December in Italy and it was absolutely fabulous! Crowds were non-existent at the major sites (imagine a deserted Pompeii on a sparkling winter morning), streets were colorfully lighted, presepi (creches) were everywhere. Were there were crowds it was on the shopping streets and for the passaggiata in Naples, Rome, Sorrento. Rain? 2 days of "signifcant" rain. You have to have a plan for rain days (museums, churches) but like the Italians, just dress for the weather and get out there and enjoy!
Laurel
Portland, OR USA 01/04/2012
New Years in London
My husband and I spent the week before New Year's in London. It was fantastic. Please note that many places to visit are CLOSED on New Year's Day!! Reputable ticket booths actually sold us 'Fast Pass" Tickets for a day that The Tower of London, and St Paul's was closed! so we lost money on that... the only other negative experience was with cab drivers. some of them will cheat you , so only get in a cab that has a meter showing on the dashboard!
Otherwise, we had an awesome experience and would love to go again! Note: it is not really a place to take young children / grandchildren for vacation. Subways, trains and streets are crowded, and there did not appear to be many activities for small kids.
Connie
Humble, TEXAS USA 01/04/2012
New Year's Eve in Rome at hotel lancelot
We spent Christmas and New Year's at Hotel Lancelot in Rome. It was amazing! Especially New Year's Eve. 5 course amazing meal, music, singing, belly dancer, fire works over the colosseum and dancing to follow. It was so incredibly wonderful AND when it was all over we just roll into bed! If there is anyway possible, I'll be there next year!
Best New Year Eve at HOTEL Lancelot!
Seattle, WA USA 01/02/2012
London and Paris
Not quite Christmas, but almost! in London and Paris (mid to end November 2011).
Arriving at opening time at museums gave us whole rooms and exhibits to ourselves. Good weather (several sunny days, a few overcast days, cooler at night, but no need for heavy coats), and better room rates. Note: V&A - Europe 1600-1800, Fshion and Textile Study Rooms are currently closed.
Do not miss Borough Market in London (open Thu, Fri and Sat) - great produce (jams, breads, cheeses, hams, sausages, wild game) and prepared food. You can taste your way through as you enjoy the sights and buy a snack or lunch (paella, sausage rools, pasties, etc). The roasted duck sandwich was fantastic. This Christmas they are open from Dec. 15 through 24, then Dec. 29 thorugh 31.
In Paris, if you need to use the internet (or your kid needs a computer game fix), duck into the Apple Store in the underground shopping center next to the Louvre. With the good weather many of the Bouquinistes along the Seine were open and the watercolor artists were out selling their works.
In London, take advantage of the concerts (free at lunchtime at St. Martin in the Fields, bet. 8 to 15 euros for evening concerts); reasonable and good food in the Crypt. A Leonardo da Vinci exhibit is ongoing (with fee) at the National Gallery - buy tickets beforehand, as they limit the number of tickets for each day; open late Friday nights. Tower of London - food at the New Armouries restaurant is reasonable (£4.25 for children's meals, £2.75 for sandwiches) and very tasty (and cheaper!) than the food sold at the kiosks outside the Tower. Ladies - Get your picture taken with the female Yeomen Warders! You have to look a bit harder to find them.
I recommend Hung's on Wardour St. in Chinatown (Leicester tube stop) for salty fish fried rice with duck - but you need to know what to order as the staff is Chinese (Cantonese). Excellent Indian food at Bombay Brasserie (Gloucester Road, across from the tube), a bit pricey but oh so worth it if you love authentic Indian food. We had the lunch buffet on Sunday; reservations recommended.
Dawn
San Francisco, CA USA 12/01/2011
Christmas Tours in Rome
Last year in Paris our family took a Christmas walking tour which was 3 hours and a nice treat. This year we will be in Rome and found Angel Tours Rome has a special Christmas walking tour which we have recently booked. It looks like a long tour but they do have a good reputation when it comes to dealing with adults and teens. There are a few companies in Rome offering similar tours like Jewish Rome and Eco City Tours or Sky Tours Rome. These tours are offered on Dec 25th and then on the 26th which is when everything is closed so booking tours on these dates in Rome is a clever option.
Tina Marshall
USA 11/10/2011
Provencal Christmas
Provence is simply magical during the holiday season. Hilltop villages, towns and cities all seem to compete to have the most holiday decor. One could start in Lyon and travel to Avignon and simply not have enough days to see it all. That's why we keep returning. But it's not just the decor, there are festivals, concerts, holiday markets, brocantes (antique markets). The list is endless with schedules of things to do. Dec 8-9 (about) in Lyon have their famous light festivities. Avignon have a lovely showing of life in Provence with a huge display in Santons at the Hotel de Ville. Ride the antique merry-go-round and then eat hot chestnuts as you meander through the Chrismas market before settling by a fire at the corner restaurant near Palais du Pape. Consider going to Seguret for midnight service (get there very early though) and dress warm. It is a tiny church in on the "most beautiful villages in France". The performers of a particular part have been done by a family member for generations (sheppard is performed by same family). Or you could stroll through Nyons walking over the 14 century Roman bridge heading in the direction of the chateau and then up the hill to chapel with its tiny creche (without babe until the hour strikes midnight). After dark and until midnight, except Christmas eve, the top of the chapel has Joyeux Noel in lights. It simply doesn't end at Christmas. Brocante markets and, of course, the famous Truffles Saturday markets and luncheons in Richerenches are a must. Our first viewing was right out of the movie "A Year in Provence." The normal truffe market was along the main street but we noticed a side street wall to wall with people. There were cars packed 3 feet apart on both sides of the street. Lines of people holding bags looking this way and that way as if someone would be watching them. We move closer only to find folks putting there nose into bags sheepishly and then there is the passing of money... almost in secret. Yes... we found the back alley to truffe sales. Folks were sniffing and buying kilos on this alley. Certainly out of our buying power or use. But the experience of being there was awesome. We bought 30eu worth which was no bigger than a golf ball. We went from booth to booth and finally purchased from a father and daughter booth. They were nice, educated us on the 2 different options. Needless to say, we had omelets with truffes for dinner. The 1/2 piece left reeked in my refrigerator all week. Such a tiny little piece offered a box full of aroma. This year we travel to Rome for USA thanksgiving week and then to Provence for holidays... More on New Years another day.
Chez Carol
Dublin, NH USA 06/27/2011
Christmas in Sweden
I spent this past Christmas 2010 in Sweden, with family friends. It is lovely here, and very cold. White Christmas lights are strung across the streets, and reminded me very much of my childhood. In fact, everything about festivals or holidays remind me of my childhood here, since being in a small city in Sweden is a bit like walking back in time. The local Domkyrken (Doom church, indicating the day of Judgement) is the oldest Bishopric in Sweden, dating from the 1100s, and they had a lovely créche in the vestibule, with the church lit up every night. The town absolutely shuts down on Christmas Eve day; it's like Christmas day in the States in that way. We spent the entire Christmas Eve day and night with my friend's sister's family. This included a visit from Jul Tomten (Father Christmas), portrayed by the sister's husband in a jolly St. Nick suit. In Sweden, Jul Tomten is accompanied by his goat, just fyi. The custom is for everyone to receive small presents, nothing expensive, and we went around the table, opening presents, for quite a long time. A smorgasbörd is laid out, and you go back and forth, eating, all day long, typical Swedish food, including creamed fish dishes, and little meatballs. All in all, Sweden is absolutely lovely at Christmas, with the snow coming down, and tall, outdoor Christmas trees strung with white lights. Everyone hangs lighted stars of all sizes in their windows. At some point, you will hear a choir practising their singing, if you walk down a street near a church. St. Lucia day (imported from Italy, btw) is another day of light and song, very pretty. Sweden, at Christmas, is a winter wonderland. I had never had any plans to visit Sweden, but now I've been back 3 times, and it's so incredibly beautiful here at any time of year, it's well worth a visit. Stockholm, especially Gamla Stan, is one of my new favorite cities.
Alison
Växjö, Sweden 06/01/2011
Christmas in Rome, Italy
My family and I spent 2010 Christmas in Rome, Italy. We had a great time in Europe. To us, it was a great time to venture off to Europe. There were not many crowds, which made it easier to see major historical sites. Vatican City was beautiful! Many parts of Rome were decorated nicely. Although it rained during our stay, the weather was still good. We would like to return again.
E. Rhine
Vance, AL and Atlanta, GA, USA 03/03/2011
Christmas in Malta
We stayed in Paceville but experienced Christmas all over the island. Lots of festivals and local parades, and the entire island is caught up in the annual Community Chest fund drive. We went to an Anglican service at the Cathedral in Sliema. Tiny but warm and inviting. Next time we'd go to one of the the more spectacular Roman Catholic churches, which is definitely the predominate religion. English is the official language, and the locals love Americans. Put Malta on your list if you are looking for a unique Christmas experience.
J Scott Miller
Spokane, WA USA 01/29/2011
Christmas Marekets Rhine Main Region Trip Report
I spent the entire month of December and part of November going to various Christmas markets, some of them short and in smaller towns and some of them that were held the whole 4 weeks of Advent. For some of you who might be traveling in this area next year, thought this report would be helpful. Hope it isn't too long.
*Büdingen - this is a walled, medieval town, that is well worth going to any time of year.The walls and all the Fachwerk houses are original, as this town has never been burned down or bombed. It has a very unusual 13 sided schloss that is still the residence of the former noble family. They have turned part of it into a hotel and there is a very nice restaurant along part of it. This is the kind of place I would like to come for New Years Eve or a birthday or anniversary. The Christmas market wandered through the town, down by the palace and then along an inner wall. This was the Medieval part of the market, using lanterns, candles and all hand-made items. Many of the stands at this market were being run by local organizations. Especially the food and gluehwein stands. Many cosy cafes. Büdingen is about 1 hour from Frankfurt, near Giessen.
*Idstein - This was one of my favorite markets. The walk from the bahnhof is past fairly non-descript modern buildings and then wham! one is in the middle of the Alt Stadt and boy is it amazing. Some of the prettiest and most elaborate Fachwerk houses I have ever seen. The middle of the town is marked by the Hexen Turm and the fortress. Everything here is original and the Christmas market wends its way up one charming street after another. The variety of stands was pretty good, offering lots of hand-made articles as well as the usual Christmas market stuff. Nice mix of food, drink and other stands. The nativity had some live animals, which was a great touch. Lots of different groups were putting on a show in the center, everything from brass bands, to kids in reindeer outfits singing Rudolph in German, to choirs. One of the high points in this town and a good reason to visit it during other times of the year, (well, besides the gorgeous houses) is the Union Church. The entire ceiling of this church is made of about 30 oil paintings that have been attached together to form a curved ceiling. Painted in the late 1600's in the Ruben style, they are a real surprise when you open the door. I could also see spending a couple of days here. The town sits in the Taunus mountains so there is good hiking and good scenery. Idstein is about a 45 min. train ride from Frankfurt.
*Seligenstadt - I really liked this market a lot too, mainly because of the indoor market they were also holding inside of the Abbey, though the market in the Alt Stadt square was nice too. The Abbey was begun in the 800's, and is one of the largest and best preserved in Hessen. The quality of gift items here was the highest, beautiful, unusual hand-work. All of the stands were staffed by the artisans themselves. They present their work again at the Easter show here, so will plan on coming back here for that, though I do want to tour the Abbey before that. Seligenstadt is about 30 min. from Frankfurt and is located along the Main river. Lots of Fachwerk houses, cosy little cafes and hotels. I would love to stay here for a day or 2.
*Bad Homburg - This is close to Frankfurt, just 20 min. on the S-bahn. A portion of the market is held inside the courtyard of the Schloss, summer residence of Kaiser Wilhelm. The rest of the market winds down through the grounds a bit and then out to the streets. Huge variety of items of all kinds, many hand made and excellent quality. This was a popular market for families as there was a mini-steam train going around the medieval tower that sits in the middle of the courtyard. We also toured the Schloss, which was well worth seeing. The Schloss church next door is amazing. The entire ceiling is gold mosaic and the church is very Byzantine in style. Fit for a Kaiser you might say. Bad Homburg is a great place to stay for travel around the area if you don't want to stay in Frankfurt.
*Wiesbaden - Lovely city, lovely market. It was snowing like crazy while we were here, making it hard to see stuff, but they had a large variety of items, nothing outstanding, but I would still recommend coming here as it is so pretty with the decorations. About a 45 min. ride from Frankfurt.
*Rüdesheim - Beautiful location along the Rhine and most lovingly decorated. Many cafes for indoor dining along the streets with excellent prices. I have to say the stands, other than a random few, were more of the cheap, tacky stuff, similar to many of the souvenir stores that fill Rüdesheim. This was disappointing to me. I came here 3 times so had a pretty good chance to see them all. The Scandanavian and Mongolian stands were the best. If you ever wanted some reindeer hides, this was the place to get them! Riding the chairlift up to Germania was fun, especially after our big snows. Hour + ride from Frankfurt, but they have just begun new trains and better service on 13 Dec. which made going there much more pleasant.
*Aschaffenburg - this was the smallest of all the markets and a little dissapointing to me, as a round-trip ticket from Frankfurt was 20 euro and it took an hour to get here. I thought it would be bigger. Nothing really exceptional here. I liked the Basicala here though and I think I would enjoy this town more in the summer, when I could go through the Schloss and see the Pompieaum (sp.?)
*Frankfurt - (you didn't think I would leave this one out did you?) The biggest market of all, and one of the oldest in Germany, dating back to 1393. It is spread out through the Römer, up to the Kaiserdom, down to the Main, and then up to the Liebfrauenberg. This was the liveliest Christmas market with a huge party atmosphere, as it seemed like as soon as everyone was done working for the day, they were down here, gathering around their favorite Gluehwein stand. Good choice of handmade items in the Paulskirche area. Lots of pottery / ceramic creations, wood nativity figures, and excellent doll house items. Having the brass band play on the gallery of the Alte Nikolai church twice a week is a plus, as it being able to go on a tour that takes you up there too (if it isn't snowing), same thing with climbing the Kaiserdom steeple.
Jo
Frankfurt am Main, USA 01/20/2011
Dickensian Christmas in London
We spent Christmas Eve in London and found it a magical experience. The decorative lights at Covent Garden and along Regent Street making shopping less tiresome, especially when you buy a bag of warm chestnuts from a street vendor. We wandered through Charles Dickens House Museum and heard a reading of A Christmas Carol in his sitting room. We bought cheap (15 GBP) seats in the choir at the Royal Albert Hall and sang along to classic carols while an orchestra in 17th century dress played just below us. And we picked up provisions for a grand feast at Burrough Market where everyone was in a happy holiday mood.
Elizabeth
Efland, NC USA 01/15/2011
German Christmans Markets
During a visit to Germany December 8-21, 2010, I visited three Christmas Markets. Each local felt like I had just landed in a snow globe, recently shaken. Munick and Rothenberg were wonderful, but a delightful surprise wast the market in the little town of Ansbach. It had all the "stuff" of the larger markets and not as crowded.
Patricia B.
Williamsburg, VA USA 01/05/2011
need help from London LHR to Victoria/Westernimister on Christmas Day
My family will arrive London LHR at 10 a.m. on the Christmas Day. This is our first European trip. All public transportations are closed that day. Our hotel is in the central London near Victoria coach station. Anyone know the chespest or fastest way to get there? Thanks so much for your useful info.
*Editor's Note: In the future please post all questions on the Traveler's Helpline. These specific boards are for giving advice rather than asking questions. Thank you. ETBD Travel Team
Bonnie
Poway, CA USA 12/12/2010
Prague Christmas
The Prague Christmas markets just opened for 2010. We have also just had a dusting of powdery snow and are expecting more. Lovely holiday mood! hedgie.eu/events has more about Christmas in Prague, why Czech "atheists" love Christmas, live carp for Christmas, and even a Three Kings Day procession with live camels if you're here after New Year's. The site is personal, not commercial. Expect "prickly" opinions from this hedgehog, but also enthusiasm for the truly enjoyable.
P. Hedgie
Prague, CR 11/28/2010
Christmas in Rome with some Angels
we are in Rome this Christmas and will do the Christmas day tour with Angel Tours in Rome, we did it two years ago and our guide Ken was fantastic.
On 12,26,10 we will do their fiat 500 tour which looks very funny. just soe quick advice. Tom K
Tom K
Dublin, Ireland 11/13/2010
Another Christmas in Venice
We will be spending our fourth Christmas holiday in Venice this year! We spent Christmas in Paris in 2006. We haven't been home in San Francisco for Christmas for five years.
We prefer Christmas in Venice because we love Venice and Christmas is not as commercial as in the US.
We attend the morning services at the Basilica San Marco - beautiful and moving. Then we enjoy a home-cooked Christmas dinner in our apartment (holiday flat).
We also see as many nativity displays as we can.
Chris
San Francisco (currently in Paris), CA USA 10/27/2010
Christmas in Europe
We went as a family and met up with my two college aged students, my daughter finishing her quarter abroad in Florence, my son flew over early to meet her, they traveled from Rome to Berlin and then to Prague meeting up with us on a train in Bern, We flew into Zurich, Switzerland- Berlin and Prague were really interesting,Prague being one of the most beautiful cities to them, the Christmas Markets wonderful, but it was COLD- so cold they said it was hard to smile in the pictures! But we met up on our way to the alps and spent Christmas in Grindelwald, stayed at a Chalet where they served breakfast and dinner so we did not have to worry about that on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day- The town, though touristy by Rick Steve's standards was absolutely charming to us. We went to Christmas Eve service at a steepled church at the base of the Wetterhorn, and sang "Silent Night" by candle light outside in the courtyard- My kids (21,19,17,16) thought it was magical. We skiied on Christmas Day at First, the weather was fantastic, ate lunch at a chalet on the hill and skiied back to our chalet for dinner. From there we went on to Munich and did the castle tours and onto Salzburg by train for New Years- It was an amazing trip. We would do it again in a heartbeat. We traveled exclusively by train. Spent 5 days in the Alps, 4 nights in Salzburg and 2 days in between in Munich. We took this trip in 2007 and would do it again.
Diane
Newport Beach, USA 10/07/2010
Christmas & New Years Eve in Istanbul
Sail up the Bosphorus, the waterway between Asia and Europe, passing under suspension bridges and viewing Ottoman summer palaces, waterside mansions and modern villas which line the European and Asian coasts. The panoramic view of ?stanbul by the Bosphorus at night, superior views of Fireworks at midnight ( we will get you as close as we can) and dinner will both be memorable. www.dinnercruisesistanbul.com and www.newyearistanbul.com
Anne
Madrid, Spain 09/25/2010
PRAGUE
Prague has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. New Year's party is also one of the best I ever experienced so far.
Ray Chan
San Diego, CA USA 08/11/2010
Paris at Xmas and New Years
In Dec 2006, I went on RS one week trip to Paris for Xmas and New Years! Everything was wonderful: our guide, great time to see the museums when it is cold outside, Xmas decorations etc.
Spending New Years Eve in Paris is something I will never forget. I couldn't stop looking at the Eiffel Tower.
Diane
Atlanta, GA USA 07/31/2010
christmas in europe
looking for a travel partner. i prefer a female. i am 58 and have been to europe dozens of times and have done about 10 trips for christmas. nothing is planned at this time. contact me for making plans etc. i plan about 2 weeks from 21st to after jan 1st. looking forward to xmas markets etc.
rrr
houston, tx USA 07/10/2010
Christmas in London
Many websites, books and people (including our host at our hotel) told us there would be nothing open in London on Christmas Day. Well, to our surprise, there was plenty to see! Granted the tube shuts down completely, so if you stay IN central London, you can walk anywhere and everywhere. We did stay in a hotel that offered breakfast (Arosfa Hotel) because we didn't think anything would be open, so we filled up that morning and didn't really have to eat until dinner. We did find a drug store open from 11am-1pm as well as MANY steak houses for lunch and dinner. Street vendors were out as well, especially on the bridges and river walks. Also, this was a great day to be a tourist... every souvenir shop was open and since everyone else walking around was a tourist, you didn't have to worry about feeling like a tourist. Shop for souvenirs and take pictures to your heart's content!! We even found a cafe or two open where we could get a warm beverage. There were a few restaurants open for dinner- we booked in advance not knowing how busy things would be, but we would have been fine walking in. We went ethnic at Ozer (Turkish/Mediterranean) and it was fabulous. Enjoy the holidays in London- we were also there for New Year's Eve- they will be quite memorable!
Andrea
NY USA 03/23/2010
New Years in Germany
I didn't get to make it for Christmas, but in my most recent trip to Germany, I got to experience New Years with a German family! I never realized how lame USA New Years is. We had a traditional meal cooked on a Raclette grill. We then made a warm punch called Feuerzangenbowle which had wine, gin, fruit juices, cloves, and sugar that you set on fire and melt (search for pictures online). Then we played Bleigießen, which is when you melt lead figures over a candle and threw them in water which hardens them into a shape you intrepret to give you your fortune for the next year. After that we set off indoor fireworks on which popped out confetti and streamers. Then at midnight you go outside and set off real fireworks. And everyone in the town is setting theirs off too, so you can see fireworks going off all around you. Amazing experience!
Ryan
Indiana, PA USA 02/27/2010
Christmas in Europe
My husband were fortunate to visit Paris, Barcelona, and London from 12/12 to 12/26/09, and watching the Christmas video brought back pleasant memories of our recent trip. The idea started with our plan to visit our college student son, Nate, who spent the fall term studying in Barcelona.
It is wonderful to see that your two children have inherited your "travel gene."
When we met up with our son at the Barcelona train station, my husband and I could see that Nate had managed to assimilate into the local culture, with his beard, tight jeans, and dark clothes. He was our "tour guide" for 4 days in his adopted city, and was very familiar with the history and culture, the local landmarks, the food, and the subway system.
It was an enjoyable experience, and his parents were very pleased with their personal tour guide!
We enjoy your shows, but i think that the Christmas video will always be special for us.
Paula W
Glenside, PA USA 01/29/2010
Christmas in Vienna
Vienna is a good city to spend Christmas in. The seasonal cheer spreads far beyond the many Christmas markets (biggest one we found was in front of the Rathaus or City Hall). The city shuts down on Xmas eve, but then things open up again. We spent Christmas Day at Sconbrunn Palace and took a historical walk in the central city. Drawback: it was cold--I mean, even by midwestern standards!
We were surprised by uneveness of crowds. Belvedere and Albertina were packed, MAK and City History museum empty. The latter deserves more visitors. It has statues and stained glass from the cathedral, an informative exhibit on the 1683 Turkish siege, and two splendid scale models of the city center.
David Linzee
St. Louis, MO USA 01/22/2010
Christmas in Paris and Brussels
Dec 20, 2009 - Jan 1, 2010 Paris is wonderful and Christmas was extra special with the lights and festivities. Rented an apartment for a week right in the Palais Royal, what a treat and highly recommended. Having our own kitchen allowed us to "live like a local" and go to the local shops and markets for meals including all our breakfasts, christmas eve and day dinners. We even brought a tiny tree with lights and decorations! Most sites and shops are closed on Christmas day, so we went to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. We winded up finding some bakeries and cafes open. I do have to say that it was much warmer than expected. Packed too many sweaters that were never used--they like to crank up the heat in shops and Museums!
Brussels was a surprise smash! The Grand Place was a true delight. The Hotel DeVille was lit up with a spectactular light show every evening that ran continuously and was set to music. We arrived 3 days after christmas and stayed to the New year. I would almost have to say that Brussels nearly outshinded Paris when it comes to holiday lights and festivities. Great food and wonderful sights in both places (using many of Rick's recommendations)...ah Christmas in Europe is truly special.
Steve
Seattle, WA USA 01/18/2010
Chirstmas in Italy (Rome)
We were in Rome Dec 23-27, 2009. Christmas Eve, many shops close early and practically all restaurants close for dinner, so if you are planning to eat out, go early or be prepared for lower quality. Access to the cupola (dome) of St. Peters was cut off at about noon.
Christmas, on the other hand, many restaurants were open, and not just in the touristy areas. Shops mostly closed (and on the 26th, too). But the Colesseum was OPEN on Christmas even though the TI said otherwise.
David Hester
Pittsford, NY USA 01/06/2010