Christmas in Italy?

[tracyz]

We're considering traveling to Italy over Christmas 2011 with ABD. Can anyone here give me any insight into what might be different/special on that trip, or how, if at all, they incorporate the holiday into the trip?

 

[WeLoveABD]

I can't speak for the Italy trip, but we have done two ABD trips over Christmas (Knights and Lights and Germany). Both were great and we were glad we did them--they work very hard to fill in the holiday days (in Paris, we spent the day at Disneyland Paris and had VIP tours, great dinner at Walt's on Main Street etc; in Germany we went to the opening day of a famous German circus in Munich, and had a very nice Christmas dinner all decked out with holiday decorations, and a voluntary gift exchange). The tougher part was sneaking presents in luggage for the kids to open up Christmas morning!

 

[LostNWonderLamb]

what a great idea! How is the weather over there during Christmas?

 

[mimmi]

I don't know about those trips but I spent a few mpotnhs in Italy, live in a neighbouring country and have an italian sister in law.
I personally think that there are many countries that are much more interesting during christmas. You certainly know that there is a huge difference between the north and the south therefore it's hard to predict the weather (there are huge mountains and snow in the north but you may have nice temperatures in Sicily) and the atmosphere. Surely the nothern part would be more atmospheric during christmas except for Rome where you can go to St.Peters for christmas mass.
Concerning lights and christmas markets: you definitely can't compare Italy to France, Austria or Germany you get more christmas feeling in those countries, especially Nuremberg, Paris, Vienna or Salzburg.
Italy is rather simple in christmas matters, until recently children haven't gotten big presents, sometimes only sweets and there aren't many towns with lights etc. probably because of the church.
The appealing part is that it's much less commercial, but somehow I think the atmosphere is lacking. I love Italy but I never go there during christmas time.
Of course the itinerary would be interesting...

 

[Danibelle]

I don't know about those trips but I spent a few mpotnhs in Italy, live in a neighbouring country and have an italian sister in law.
I personally think that there are many countries that are much more interesting during christmas. You certainly know that there is a huge difference between the north and the south therefore it's hard to predict the weather (there are huge mountains and snow in the north but you may have nice temperatures in Sicily) and the atmosphere. Surely the nothern part would be more atmospheric during christmas except for Rome where you can go to St.Peters for christmas mass.
Concerning lights and christmas markets: you definitely can't compare Italy to France, Austria or Germany you get more christmas feeling in those countries, especially Nuremberg, Paris, Vienna or Salzburg.
Italy is rather simple in christmas matters, until recently children haven't gotten big presents, sometimes only sweets and there aren't many towns with lights etc. probably because of the church.
The appealing part is that it's much less commercial, but somehow I think the atmosphere is lacking. I love Italy but I never go there during christmas time.
Of course the itinerary would be interesting...

I agree with mimmi. I was fortunate to live in Vicenza, Italy for three years. The weather in northern Italy is pretty unpredictable at that tiime; winter clothes with coat, scarf, etc. are a must. The main "atmosphere" I found was the nativity scene (creche) display in some of the churches and a larger creche display at L'Arena in Verona. My favorite markets for Christmas were in Nuremberg and Munich. I believe Nuremberg Christkindl Markt is the original one.

 

[tracyz]

Thanks so much for the input! I called ABD and talked with a reservation agent, and she also suggested that if it is our first time in Italy we go during the summer. I love the idea of a Christmas vacation, but perhaps we'll do our Italy trip during the summer and save the Christmas trip for another place, another year.

 

[Danibelle]

what a great idea! How is the weather over there during Christmas?

It can be very cold and damp. I would pack lots of layers if you are planning to visit Europe in the winter.

I just realized that I had already responded.

 

[At World's End]

Our first trip to Italy was over Christmas. Yes, it was very cold. wE wore heavy coats the whole time, but still had a blast. The main downside is that alot of sights have shorter hours at this time, and many of the gelato stands are closed (although we managed to eat gelato every day, twice a day if we could!)

I would not ever go in the summer though. Summer is way too hot and crowded. If you could do the trip in the "shoulder" season I thing you would enjoy it much more. April-early June or Sept/Oct would be ideal.

 

[sayhello]

Our first trip to Italy was over Christmas. Yes, it was very cold. wE wore heavy coats the whole time, but still had a blast. The main downside is that alot of sights have shorter hours at this time, and many of the gelato stands are closed (although we managed to eat gelato every day, twice a day if we could!)

I would not ever go in the summer though. Summer is way too hot and crowded. If you could do the trip in the "shoulder" season I thing you would enjoy it much more. April-early June or Sept/Oct would be ideal.

I agree with this. I went to Italy in late May, and the weather was gorgeous (except for some wind in the Amalfi area). I can't imagine doing all that walking in the scorching heat!

Sayhello