Is there anyone planning to be in Italy over the Christmas holiday? Please get in touch.

We will be there Helen. But where and when? And why would you like to know?

A lot of people have asked me where to go and what to do over the Christmas Day period - 3 days+ - I am just getting a feel of the situation and them making some proposals. <BR>Most things are closed here over that time and Italians are very much closed in with their family - it can be very lonely for outsiders if you don't have friends here.

My husband and I have tickets to go the week before Christmas. We plan to see Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terra. He believes that we will still go despite the circumstances.

I am not sure what the Cinque Terre are like in December but the cities you mention are lovely - decorations here tend to be more "subtle" than in Northern countries and the US etc. but they are usually very beautiful. <BR>I hope you make it over and have a great holiday. Will you will be back in the US for Christmas Day? <BR>

We plan to go from mid-December to early January...I'd love thoughts on weather, what might be closed and what alternatives might exist...I am traveling with my husband and two year old son. We are staying first in Venice and then in a little town 20 miles outside Pisa. Our thought was that we might be able to enjoy a local celebration, including Christmas mass in the village where we will be staying. This will be our first ever trip to Europe and this is my first time on this website, so I'd love suggestions!

Hi Caitlin <BR>I am forming a group of people who will be touring Italy over the Christmas period - we will spend the 3 day holiday in a beautiful Country House Hotel which is near the centre of one of the nicest small towns in Umbria - it will be "traditional" in every way possible. <BR>If you don't have friends or family here Christmas Day and Boxing Day can be very lonely and empty. <BR>Please get in touch if you would like to know more.

Hi Helen - Too early to plan something for Easter?

Funny you should say that Holly.......... lol <BR> <BR>Actually the Christmas thing came right out of the blue - now I am thinking about Easter!! <BR> <BR>Any ideas???

Haven't been to Umbria yet, so will defer to your expertise. What are your suggestions?

Holly there is so much here! <BR> <BR>I live in Perugia - it is nice if you are here for a week or so. <BR> <BR>Assisi is the jewel in the crown - Orvieto, Spoleto and Gubbio are the big guns <BR> <BR>Montefalco, Bettona and Bevagna are well-kept secrets! <BR> <BR>But there are lots of other places and the largest lake in the centre of Italy lake which has 3 islands.

My boyfriend & I are planning to be in Italy from the 22nd through the 31st or 1st (have not decided yet). Do you feel that Rome will be as "lonely" as these other cities over Christmas? This is our first trip to Europe together. I want to be special. I don't want to feel left out from the world. <BR>Also, any suggestions on where to stay in Rome, Florence or Venice. I would like a hotel room with a small kitchen if possible while in Rome. Since it appears everything will be closed it would be nice to be able to have a Christmas dinner. <BR>Thank you for whatever advise you can give.

Hi Julie <BR>I once spent a Christmas alone in Rome and it was terrible - there wasn't a restaurant open and no one was about except the beggers. <BR>You will be with your boyfriend so that's a good start and things could have changed a little since my time there. <BR>I know the Santa Chiara has apartments but I don't know what they are like, the hotel is in a very central position and they seemed very nice when I rang last week to check on a room for someone. <BR>I presume you will be able to find a hotel with a restaurant open for the guests.

Helen is a travel agent who is trying to get her clients from this forum. Yes, we got in touch with her. And I thought there is no promoting your own business on this forum

Helen thank you for your information. I think because it will be the two of us we will be fine. I just wanted someone elses opinion. <BR>If anyone has suggestions on where to stay it would wonderful. I have heard most rooms are small & not all have a bathrooms in them. So of course I would like a decent size room, with a bathroom & if it has a balcony that would be great too. I figure this is our first trip to Italy so we might as well make it great. What exactly is Santa Chiara?

Hi Julie <BR> <BR>I am sure you will have a wonderful time - I am in the middle of writing an article about cribs here and feeling Christmassy already! <BR> <BR>http://www.venere.com/roma/santa_chiara/ <BR>This is the hotel Santa Chiara - I heard about it just recently when some friends from this board were staying there, it is in a great position and they said they had a lovely room with balcony. <BR> <BR>

Dear people, <BR>an idea for your christmas trip? <BR>Travel to Sicily ,it's wanderful in December and book at agriturismo Limoneto- Siracusa. <BR>www.emmeti.it/Limoneto

To Dora; <BR> <BR>We stayed at the IL Limoneto outside of Siracusa for 4 wonderful July nights <BR>four years ago during a 2 week trip to Sicily. <BR>We remember having wonderful meals out on the patio and testing our conversational Italian with our graciuos host, Alceste. <BR>The last day there we took a boat ride around the grottos of the Siracusa harbor with Alceste's son Frankie. <BR>We treasure the small bowl that Adelina <BR>gave us a souvenier on our departure. <BR>It was a truly wonderful trip and a warm and welcoming place to stay. <BR>We yearn to return someday soon. <BR>How do you know it? <BR>Has it changed much in 4 years? <BR>with our charming host Alceste <BR>