Christmas in Rome
Oct 22nd, 2004, 06:26 AM
#1
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Christmas in Rome
We definitely want to spend Christmas in Rome this year. We are in search of advise on:
i) what type of outerware to take to Rome.
ii) recommendation for a nice place in Rome for Christmas Eve dinner with family.
iii) We wondering where in Rome are the best places to be/visit for Dec. 24 and 25.
Any info appreciated, thanks.
i) what type of outerware to take to Rome.
ii) recommendation for a nice place in Rome for Christmas Eve dinner with family.
iii) We wondering where in Rome are the best places to be/visit for Dec. 24 and 25.
Any info appreciated, thanks.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 08:59 AM
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I spent Christmas in Rome in 2001 with my family and an assorted group of friends.
We pre-arranged to attend midnight mass with the Pope on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, the weather was miserable and I did not want to subject my 70YO mother to 3 hours in windy rain. The mass is outside.
We stayed at the delle Minerve in Pantheon Square, my hands down favorite hotel in Rome. Many of the restaurants I enjoy were closed for a few days and the city was quiet. We had dinner at a trattoria in Trastevere which was terrific but I am sorry I do not recall the name.
Many of the museums had very limted hours wo we strolled the city and wandered in and out of churches and monuments. It was really quite lovely to be amongst the small number of tourists in the city at that time.
We pre-arranged to attend midnight mass with the Pope on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, the weather was miserable and I did not want to subject my 70YO mother to 3 hours in windy rain. The mass is outside.
We stayed at the delle Minerve in Pantheon Square, my hands down favorite hotel in Rome. Many of the restaurants I enjoy were closed for a few days and the city was quiet. We had dinner at a trattoria in Trastevere which was terrific but I am sorry I do not recall the name.
Many of the museums had very limted hours wo we strolled the city and wandered in and out of churches and monuments. It was really quite lovely to be amongst the small number of tourists in the city at that time.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 02:56 PM
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it doesnt snow and rarely rained when i was there.but it was windy. a hat is a necessity. your head will freeze. most romans wear scarves too.metro does not operate Dec 25 after noon. Also consider how you are going to get back to the hotel from the vatican if you go for the midnight mass. you might be in for a long cold walk. rome at late hours can get creepy. lots of wierdos around. Visit piazza navona on christmas morning - they have a unique market of nativity figurines.
Oct 24th, 2004, 01:01 PM
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Our family spent two Christmas' (2001, 2002) in Rome. Dress for cold - layers. The weather was freezing temps at times. I don't remember rain, only frigid cold.
There are many incredible resturants in Rome; all depending on your taste. Be aware resturants may not be open Dec 25 and Dec 26 is also a holiday.
We spent much of our first year viewing the churches. Each have lovely nativity scenes and creches. The Roman Forum was open and empty on the 26th.
Both years we attended Midnight Mass at St. Peter's. The first year, after 9/11, the crowd was much smaller than usual and we had no trouble getting into St. Peters. The second year we arrived around 8 pm and had only a slight delay in getting through crowds into the church. You should contact the Bishop's Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican, in Rome, for biglietti (tickets). The outer courtyard is always available for people willing to bear the crunch, weather and time to stand outside for the Mass. As mentioned, afterwards buses aren't running and taxis may be scarce. We chose hotels closer to the Holy See so we could walk back. As there were four of us, playing, talking, being excited, I didn't notice anyone else out. We did have to wake the hotel clerk to let us back into the hotel at 3 a.m., but we didn't mind!
Its an incredible time to go to Rome; a very spiritual experience. Happy travels.
There are many incredible resturants in Rome; all depending on your taste. Be aware resturants may not be open Dec 25 and Dec 26 is also a holiday.
We spent much of our first year viewing the churches. Each have lovely nativity scenes and creches. The Roman Forum was open and empty on the 26th.
Both years we attended Midnight Mass at St. Peter's. The first year, after 9/11, the crowd was much smaller than usual and we had no trouble getting into St. Peters. The second year we arrived around 8 pm and had only a slight delay in getting through crowds into the church. You should contact the Bishop's Office for U.S. Visitors to the Vatican, in Rome, for biglietti (tickets). The outer courtyard is always available for people willing to bear the crunch, weather and time to stand outside for the Mass. As mentioned, afterwards buses aren't running and taxis may be scarce. We chose hotels closer to the Holy See so we could walk back. As there were four of us, playing, talking, being excited, I didn't notice anyone else out. We did have to wake the hotel clerk to let us back into the hotel at 3 a.m., but we didn't mind!
Its an incredible time to go to Rome; a very spiritual experience. Happy travels.
Oct 24th, 2004, 03:22 PM
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I've done a lot of traveling to Austria and Germany at Christmastime.
On Christmas Eve and Day, the only restaurants we could find open were those in the large hotels.
Did you guys find that was the case in Rome?
On Christmas Eve and Day, the only restaurants we could find open were those in the large hotels.
Did you guys find that was the case in Rome?
Oct 26th, 2004, 11:48 AM
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Has anyone stayed in religious accomodations in the historical centre of Rome (or close to Vatican) during Christmas week?
E-mails of any religious institutes (convents, etc.) will be very helpful.
E-mails of any religious institutes (convents, etc.) will be very helpful.
