bdkutz

We are a family of 4 (2 daughters in their 20's) landing in Rome on Dec. 24th departing Rome Jan. 2nd. We would love advice on planning the best Itinerary factoring in cooler temperatures, desirable areas, what may or may not be open . Presently, we have reservations (that can be changed, flip, flopped, whatever) in Rome @ Hotel Campo Fiori 12/24- 12/29, in Sorrento 12/29 - 1/1 @ Hilton Sorrento Palace (due to hotel points), and Hilton @Rome airport 1/1 (points). We are struggling with the itinerary given these considerations: balancing art, history, quaint villages..would love to get a taste of Tuscany and have wondered about going straight there if we could find a wonderful Christmas Day experience or perhaps best to day trip it from Rome to Orvieto area and perhaps other suggestions? It seems few sights are open on 12/25-26 in Rome, so that is of issue. We've thought maybe of going down to Sorrento sooner then heading back toward Rome so as to be there New Year's Eve (though then little open on New Year's Day). Some may say, choose different dates, but these are what we have given our busy lives. We love art, history, villages, food and wine...maybe someone out there may know of the ideal Christmas Day experience ..& then of course there is the weather to factor in given the time of year. We have a tall order we know, but first family vacation in 5 years and the prospect of it being our last, has us wrestling with multiple thoughts. Any and all advice greatly appreciated!!!!

bobthenavigator

you will get more responses if this was not one paragraph
hard to read !

TDudette

For me only, I'd stay in Rome the entire time. Orvieto (one of my favorite places) and Florence (long day but lots to see) are possible day trips from Rome.

Where ever you end up, find out about Christmas dinners where you stay and make reservations now.

You wrote there isn't much going on in Rome on Christmas Day--if that is true, I'd guess there will be less in Sorrento! Can anyone provide some first-hand info?

HappyTrvlr

Our landlord in Sorrento told us that we should return there for Christmas as so much goes on including a parade,

denisea

I would stay in Rome. We made a day trip to Orvieto from Rome a few years ago and we really enjoyed it! There are lots of day trips you coukd make from Rome.

Search for lowcountryislander ...she was in Rome over Christmas a few years ago and her trip report might be helpful to give an idea on what is open. It may be quieter over Christmas but I can't imagine that everything is closed.

Jean

I'm sure you could have a good time in any number of places, but you only have 7 days not impacted by arrival and departure.

I would stay in Rome and plan a couple of day trips, weather permitting. You won't run out of things to see/do in Rome, and daylight hours are short at that time of year. Dark before 5:00p.

Check what's open before you go anywhere.

Orvieto
Spoleto
Florence
Tivoli

bvlenci

All of the museums and archaelogical sites are closed in Rome on Christmas Day, but there are other things to do.

Almost all of the churches in Rome will have Christmas Day masses, and, even if you don't want to attend a mass, you could make a few short visits just before or after a mass to see some of the presepi (Christmas nativity scenes). Some are very elaborate and some are very original.

The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri usually has a short organ concert on Christmas day before the 11:30 mass. This is a beautiful basilica,designed by Michelangelo, in the ruins of the ancient Baths of Diocletian, near Termini station.

In Piazza del Popolo, there has been for a number of years a seasonal display of traditional presepi from all over the world.

You could go to Saint Peter's Square to see their large Christmas tree and presepio, and maybe to hear the Pope's traditional Christmas message to the city of Rome and to the world (Urbis et Orbis).

Transportation is rather limited on Christmas day, although it doesn't close down altogether as it does in London.

The 26th is a public holiday, but most museums and archaelogical sites will be open, and transportation will be on the normal holiday schedule.

There are some rural agriturismi that offer holiday stays, but I don't know anything about them.

bvlenci

I'm not sure Sorrento is a good destination at that time of year. What were you planning to do in that area?

rosanna75

In stead of Sorrento I would go to Salerno, it is famous for it's christmas lights and christmas markt and a lot of expositions of the famous italian nativies. You can visit the historical centre of Salerno with its Cathedral and a lot of other churches, musea like the archilogical museum. From Salerno it is also easy to make a daytrip into the amalfitan coast, it are only 5 minutes to arrive at Vietri sul Mare, the first town of the amalfitan coast, or you can visit Pompei.
In Salerno and in the near (example vietri famous for its ceramics) there are also real nativities to see, that means that the whole town becomes a nativity!

The last 4 years the weather was extremely good with christmas!!

Impression of the christmas lights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpZukKzq0YE

Impression of a living nativity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN9JvMfVJV4