My boyfriend and I are planning to go to Italy for Christmas for three weeks (Dec 16-Jan 3). We are attempting to learn the language, but don't reallistically think we'll be great communicators by then. This will be our first trip together (I have traveled extensively before) and we will be on a pretty thin shoestring budget. We are both very open minded and adventurous, and not wanting to do too much of the "typical tourist thing" although we are really excited about the art and architecture, as well as natural scenery. There is so much to potentially do and see that we are a little overwhelmed and really have no idea where to go. Where is the best place to fly in? Should we head north or south? And is there anything special going on at this time of year that we really should NOT miss? Is there anything we will need to specifically be aware of like making hostel/hotel/train reservations ahead of time?

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Two thoughts here. First of all it will be quite cold in the north unless, of course, you'd like to go up to the Alto Adige and ski near Austria or up near Switzerland. I'm not a skier, but understand it's good skiing and I can vouch that it's beautiful country. Second thought is that Christmas is a true religious holiday in Italy--not our Santa Claus stuff so everything will be closed on Dec. 25, Jan 1 and Jan 6 (Epiphany) There are lots of charming stories about Christmas, but you have to appreciate the religious significance. Americans often don't. You might do some research into Sicily as it's warmer there but it's an entirely different part of Italy--a bit of Greece and Italy combined. The prices in the south are less if you're on a budget and the Italians appreciate any attempt to speak their language, although some of the dialects in the south have very little resemblance to the Italian you are learning. Just go and enjoy! <BR>

I travelled to Italy around the same time three years ago. I highly recommend Rome and Tuscany. The weather was temperate, there were few crowds, and the countryside was lush and beautiful. Every time I hear horror stories about Italy (and elsewhere) in the summer only confirms my desire to travel off-season.

Hello! My wife and I honyemooned in the Mediterranean a whole month this spring. One of the countries that I absolutely wanted to see was Italy. We went to Rome, Florence,Pisa,Sienna, Venice and Milan in Italy. I must say that as I was during research on Rome I notice that it was not a favorite city for many people. Basically, it got a bad wrap. Well, I want to tell you that you should really consider it. It is absolute amazing. So much architecture and and just history here. Masterpiece after masterpiece. It is a big city and many going in the spring mad it much more enjoyable for us. Florence was ok. I expected it to be what Rome was. Venice is very romantic and has it's own mystic. I have also heard that southern Italy is naturally beautiful. Let me know if I can help.

Meagan-- we were in Southern Italy in the fall of 1993. I think Kam's comments are pretty much right on. The west coast of Sicily has a lot to explore-- Syracusa, Taormina. I even thought Reggio Calabria, on the other side of the Straits of Messina, was all right, and the Riaci bronzes in the Reggio museum are wonderful. If you're adventurous, there are some quaint, little towns back in the hills of Calabria which are definitely off the tourist track. Of course, going this way, you will not see the more popular destinations of Florence, Venice, and Tuscany. It's a different and less known part of Italy. <BR>Learning some Italian is a must, if you decide to go South. The local Italian is, as Kam said, non-standard. However, there are a lot of people in that area who can understand standard Italian, but not standard English. We found people simply gave up when we tried English, yet were amazingly patient with our very limited, language-tape Italian. Martha

I'm an italian boy and I would like to help you but I need more information about your trip and interests. Italy is a big country and above all very rich of artistical cities a part from the usual Roma, Firenze, Venezia. Moreover there are big differences between the regions in food, wine, landscape, climate, folklore, ecc. <BR>Since is your first time in Italy I will suggest not to miss the main touristic cities. <BR>Then will you ski or horse ride or relax in a farm holidays? Are you crazy about art (paintings, buildings or archaeologic sites?)? <BR>Start choosing the part of Italy you want to see (north or south, or a few regions and cities in the whole peninsula) and then I'll be able to give you more informations. <BR> <BR>What Kam says about holiday is right, and also the 26 of december is a national holiday. <BR> <BR>The prices are probably less in the south; what is really high in Italy is hotel price (there are not b&b), mainly in Venezia, but I think that considering the exchange of dollar you will not find it so expensive. <BR> <BR>The north is of course colder than the south. <BR> <BR>Learning italian (just a few basic words) is a good idea. <BR> <BR>Please feel free to write me for further questions.

<BR>We spent Christmas-New Years in Italy in 92. If you can be in Rome on Dec 24, being at St Peters for Midnight Mass is a not-to-be-missed, never-to-be-forgotten experience. I'm not Catholic, and it was thrilling. If you have Catholic connections and can get "special passes," go for it. People don't dress up, and cameras go constantly. Not very pious, just thrilling. And it's the only time St. Peter's is lit so that it can be really seen. You'll probably need medium weight jackets in Rome, lighter further south. Florence was freezing--hats, scarves, gloves, the works. Getting to see everything in Florence can be tricky--museum hours are not user-friendly, and most close at least two days a week. Check your guide books for closings and hours, then work the numbers so you can see the most. Don't miss San Miniato the hour before sunset--the monks chant, and it's thrilling. Venice is wonderful that time of year--there are more pigeons than tourists! We were there for New Year's. All restaurants are booked weeks in advance for NYEve, with multi-course, mega-expensive dinners, which we avoided by shopping that day and having an indoor picnic dinner. The only thing we didn't like about the trip was the amount of smoking in restaurants. Maybe that's changed in 6 years, but I doubt it. (If it's a problem for you--don't laugh--the Macdonald's in Rome is smoke-free). If you have more questions, email me. Have a great time!

Hi Meagan, <BR>with three weeks you have plenty of time to visit places. You asked to do something off the beaten path, well then my suggestion is DO NOT GO to the usual Florence, Rome, Venice etc etc. Go to Sicily - real Italy to explore! - and don't miss Neaples. I know that Neaples has a bad reputation, but things have been changing and with some attention you'll avoid problems. You see, in Neaples you'll se the most beautiful and touching crèches, also living crèches, and lots of little markets, typical of Christmas time. TO go to Napoli for Christmas is becoming popular among Italians... Yes, I would choose to go south. That's really something original! <BR>Anna <BR>

Thanks so much for all of this great advice! I was gone on vacation for 5 days and then sick, so this is the first time I've had to look at the responses in a while. I'm thrilled. I will go over what everyone said and try to narrow it down a bit more, but at this point I'd have to say we're leaning more towards Roma and the South than anywhere else (at least for this trip!). I'll get back to folks after a little tête à tête with my sweetie on this. Thanks again, <BR> Meagan

<BR>Meagan, you may not want to do the touristy things, but if you do not see the monuments of Rome, you are missing much of the point of going to Rome. The best value is the #110 bus that leaves from Cinquecento Square in front of the Main Rail Station at 2 or 2:30 in the afternoon. You buy the ticket at a booth in the Square. It is cheap, maybe $5 or $6, the driver-guides are wonderful, and you don't feel like a tourist because the buses are so rickety. I take it every time I go. None of my clientele have ever been disappointed.

Something touched on above but very important is the weather. Northern Italy can be very cold and damp in the winter. If you're staying in low cost lodgings, this could be a real problem. I would stick to Rome and south of there.