Is Italy as crowded at Christmas as at Easter?
 

Every year I consider going to Italy (Rome Florence Venice) at Christmas. Costs are higher so what I want to know is do you think it's worth it? The extra airfare, crowds(?), museums closed for holidays. Is it still a sufficiently wonderful experience to be in Italy at Christmas?

If you would like some good and cheap accommodation in Venice, please send me an email. Have a nice day !

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas in Milan two years ago. There were very few tourists, and many of the museums were open even on Christmas Eve. <BR><BR>We went from Zurich in a circle through Milan, Nice, Geneva, and back from before Christmas to New Year's. I thought it was a very good time to see those cities; there were very few tourists. <BR><BR>On the other hand, in Switzerland, absolutely everything was closed, so if I were to travel again during that time, that would be my number one concern. <BR><BR>We did love it, though. It ended up snowing softly on Christmas Eve. I'd just seen the Last Supper, and then rushed to the castle to have a few hours before it closed. When I exited, it was already dark. The snow flurried against the castle walls, and it seemed as though a hush had fallen over the city. When we awoke Christmas morning, we walked through the still-falling snow to the Duomo, which was surely made to be viewed during snowfall, looking like a sculputure of icicles itself.<BR><BR>Sorry I can't be more specific with your intended destinations - but we did have a wonderful time!<BR>

Milano is a completely different place from Venice or Rome. Milano is basically a place where people come for working, with few tourists.During summer and during Christmas and Esater holidays you will actually find les people in Milano than there are usually during, for instance, late March or October. This is because people who crowd Milano are workers who live here during the year and go on holiday in summer of during Christmas or Easter holidays.So, where are all the people who usually crowd Milano during Christmas holiday gone? Well, at least part of them are in Rome, Florence and Venice!!!

Been to Rome & Venice at Christmas. Rome was not crowded. Venice was a little crowded, most tourists were European and Asian. Everything was open, many places had extended hours, with the exception of a few restaurant. Be aware of "Aqua Alta" or high water in Venice. Not a problem, just have the right footwear.

You want a simple answer to your simple question? No Italy at Xmas is not crowded as in Easter

Thank you all for your insight. I might just go for it this year. I think it would be fabulous!

I'm finally going to Italy for Christmas!!! Leaving in less than 24 hours.<BR><BR>Buon Natale! <BR><BR>

GOOD FOR YOU, Dorothy!!! Have a wonderful, safe, memorable trip! <BR><BR>Which city will you be staying in? Please do come back and tell us about your trip...christmas in italy is something i'm planning on as well!<BR><BR>Buon Natale!

<BR>I was in Venice with my husband for six days over Christmas last year and it was sheer magic...the best Christmas we've ever had. We'd go back over Christmas again. Summer's definitely out of the question as I cannot take the heat.<BR><BR>We were in Rome at Easter last year. I'd say it was much busier than Venice at Christmas, though still fantastic.<BR><BR>Buon Natale, Dorothy. I'm curious too as to where you're going in Italy.

It's midnite and I just finished packing. Leaving in about 12 hours!<BR><BR>I'm flying into Rome, Christmas Day in Florence, Venice after Christmas. Too bad I fly home before New Year's. <BR><BR>I'll post when I get back. Enjoy the holidays everyone!

This is why I love this site. We are planning our next vacation and this was my exact question. So Dorothy, how crowded was it and were many things closed?

David<BR><BR>I flew into Florence on December 27th (was suppose to leave out of Boston on x-mas but got snowed in for a day) and came back on January 2nd. I found most places (Siena,Florence, Montelcino and San Gimingano) less crowded with most places open. However, the extra expense for airfare and the crowded airports were a nightmare. All flights are full (overfull) and little room for error if you miss a connection or have a weather related problem. I would not travel again at this time from the states if I could delay my trip for a couple of weeks. I would guess everything would be the same except the travel would be cheaper and much less hectic. BTW, many restaurants in the country (Tuscany) were closed and couldn't figure out when they were to reopen.

I was surprised to see my old post back.<BR><BR>My advice is go for it. In fact, maybe I'll meet you guys for a gelato next year! It was a great time and I'd do it again.<BR>In Florence, shops were closed on dec. 25 and 26, but many restaurants were open. Museums were open on dec.26. Short line at Uffizi midday.<BR>In Venice, 20 min wait at Accademia, no wait at doges palace.<BR>There were no where near as many tourists as I thought. Lots of activity, lots of Italians, great passiagata on Christmas day. Much more tourists in March on a previous visit.

We were in Italy for 2 weeks this past Christmas. (Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome). We left mid December and returned before NYE. It was a wonderful time of year to go, the weather was pleasant and not cold (Rome was 60 degrees), and most of the sights (even ones you supposedly needed reservations for) were not crowded. However, we did find a definite increase in crowds after Christmas Day (especially in Rome) so we were glad when we came back before New Year's Eve. I loved going during this time of year and would do it again in a second.

In response to the original question, Italy is a whole country, Rome, Venice, and Florence are main hubs where tourists tend to congregate, so the question is very, very general. I spent both Easter (Holy week) and Christmas Season in Italy this year, and each was very special. My interest is not getting lost in a crowd of other American tourists, so whatever the season, I usually make an effort to find ways to avoid that experience, and always manage to be lucky in that respect.<BR>During Holy Week, I went to several small towns near Naples to obseve the processions, which vary from town to town.(amazing!) The day after Easter is called &quot;Pasquetta&quot; and is a big holiday which is spent having huge picnics out in the countryside with family and friends. I was very lucky to spend it feasting on fresh home-made food on a farm with an Italian family!<BR>Then I flew to Rome on Christmas Day (got stuck on the runway in NY due to the snowstorm there), I loved being in Italy at that time of year-I used Scala Reale tours in Rome,(I recommend them) and many places were open. Went to the Naples area for Capodanno-it was fantastic! You will find more Italians on the street than American tourists then. I hope you enjoyed Natale as much as I did. Auguri!!

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