Blog - Life in Italy

Christmas in Rome: The Christmas season in Rome really begins on the 8th of December when the Pope visits the Spanish Steps Square. The steps are decorated with beautiful flowers, the statue of Mary is also beautifully embellished with colorful flowers, proceeding to finish her journey to Santa Maria Maggiore church where the Pope gives a special mass. When visitors come to Rome over Christmas, most likely they will go to the Vatican. The most attractive event during this time are the Papal Midnight Masses on Christmas Eve. The Pope reads his Christmas message to the people in the piazza in front of St. Peter's at noon on Christmas Day. In St. Peter's Square. A beautiful site not to be missed! In the middle of St. Peter's Square, there is a giant life form (Presepi) Nativity scene. Built with fascinating almost real life details, apart from the baby Jesus, who usually doesn't make his appearance in the crib until Christmas Day with featured day-into-night lighting effects. Some of Rome's most elaborate "Presepi" are in Piazza del Popolo, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Maria d'Aracoeli and on the Capitoline Hill. Nearly every church in Rome during the Christmas Season will have a "Presepi" , often found outdoors in a square.

For the Ladies: Those who are interested in Christmas shopping will find the main shopping streets shining with festive lights and packed with shoppers carrying the spirit of Christmas. Rome's sunshine and the mild climate, provides a pleasant winter treat to sit outdoors with a steaming cup of rich hot chocolate or vin brulé (mulled wine).On the shopping days before Christmas, the most frequented sites are not crowded in the winter, which makes a delight to go Christmas shopping or stroll through the narrow cobble-stones streets with shops bursting with Christmas ornaments.  In the last few years, Rome has seen an invasion of large inflatable Santa Clauses adding a more feel of Christmas spirit. A new addition has been a large Christmas tree with Christmas lights placed in the centre of Piazza Venezia or in front of the Colosseum Area. A magnificent site!  Piazza Navona Area, one of Rome's most beautiful and popular squares, becomes a huge Christmas market in December with stands selling Christmas figures, Christmas treats, and toys. For the kids there's a merry-go-round and Babbo Natale, (Santa Claus) who happily smiles to the cameras for pictures to be taken with kids. During the Christmas festivities, this square is full of Life and joy.

Rome's traditional Christmas holiday favourites are the sweet breads must haves - "Panettone" and "Pandoro", usually accompanied with a bit of sweet bubbly spumante. No Christmas holiday in Rome or all Italy is complete without it, whether you are a local or tourist.

Merry Christmas and Greetings from The key to Italy...!  We wish you a Jolly Christmas!