A Roman Christmas: Italy Hotline’s Winter Recommendations

The majority of people travel to Rome in summer, when the city is at its hottest and busiest. While a Roman summer is certainly a worthwhile experience, there is something incredibly special about winter in Rome. The light becomes vivid, the architecture sharp, and the streets are lined with fantastic displays of Christmas lights. There is a magical energy in the air, as Romans prepare for family feasts, and new year celebrations. With this blog post I have taken the opportunity to list some of the many excellent winter time activities Rome has to offer, ranging from the traditional, to the creative. Enjoy! 1) Take an evening stroll down Via del Corso... ...for a dazzling array of lights, excited crowds of locals and visitors, Christmastime shopping, and the sweet smell of roasting chestnuts. If you want to partake in some Christmas shopping yourself, explore the area to the east of 'Via del Corso' and the famous 'Via dei Condotti', well known for its high-end shops and display of major Italian brands. To the west of 'Via del Corso', you will find an intricate maze of small streets filled with cute boutique clothing stores, delectable smelling perfume shops, and much more. Keep in mind that sales do not start until January 4th, and can definitely be worth the wait.

2) Find the best locations to watch fireworks on New Year's Eve.  At the end of Via del Corso is the square 'Piazza del Popolo', the most traditional location to watch the fireworks. However, my favorite spot to get the best view and atmosphere is 'Il Pincio', the terrace section of the 'Villa Borghese' gardens which overlooks the 'Piazza del Popolo'. Other great locations for watching the fireworks are the Gianicolo, the Capitoline Hill, the Quirinal Palace, Monte Mario, and any of the beautiful pedestrian-only bridges that connect Trastevere and the centre of Rome. 3) Discover one of the most important aspects of Italian Christmas: 'il presepe', or nativity scene.  The tradition began in the late 13th century in Assisi, and is more popular in Italy than having a Christmas tree. While you will no doubt see many 'presepi' while in Rome, ranging from intricate and artistic to cheesy and hilarious, there are a few nativity scenes that you should not miss. We recommend the ones at St. Peter's Square, as well as the one at the Spanish steps.

 4) Explore Rome's beautiful Christmas markets...  ...where you will find an interesting mix of stalls selling souvenirs, toys, decorations, sweets, candies, roasting chestnuts, and other Christmas treats. The most famous in Rome, and one of the largest, is in Piazza Navona, constructed around three of Rome's most beautiful fountains. Other markets to check out include the 'Piazza Caprera' Christmas market, and the 'Piazza Re di Roma' market with a greater selection of food.

5) Drink a 'Negroni' in one of our favorite cocktail bars in Rome.  'Monti' is a beautiful neighbourhood in winter, filled with artisans, boutique shops, charming restaurants, and hip cafes frequented by a mix of young and old. For cocktails I love going to 'Café Bohemian/Libreria", an artsy locale with a warm cosy interior complete with couches, good music, and even a private event room in the basement. The owner and all the bartenders are extremely nice, and love to meet people visiting Rome. While not traditional in the least, 'Cafe Bohemian' is a great expression of the new creative generation of Romans that are trying to break away from the Italian norm. Explore the neighborhoods of Monti, Campo de' Fiori, and Trastevere for more great bars and hangouts - or take one of our fantastic food and wine tours with our certified sommelier and Roman cuisine expert for a real insider's perspective. 6) Eat! What better activity to do in winter in Rome than eat delicious Roman food.  Some of our favorite winter time restaurants are 'La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali' (Monti area), 'L'Asino D'oro' (Monti area), and 'Hosteria Costanza' (near Campo de' Fiori). The first is run by one of our favorite families in Rome, and serves both the best traditional Roman dishes, as well as a continuously rotating menu of recipes from other regions of Italy. Dine here and you will be amidst the best of company, in one of the oldest districts of Rome. For a great winter dish, ask for 'Tortelli alla Zucca' (pumpkin stuffed tortelli.) The second restaurant, L'Asino D'oro, serves traditional Umbrian style cuisine. The food is prepared with meticulous attention to detail, and they serve unique dishes such as pork stew in semi-sweet chocolate sauce, and guinea fowl salad. The third restaurant, Hosteria Costanza, serves traditional Roman food, as well as more complex, creative dishes. The interior of the restaurant is built into Ancient Roman ruins, giving it a mysterious yet warm atmosphere, which is well complimented by the friendly staff.

7) Why not mix things up a little bit with a Turkish bath…in the Jewish 'Ghetto'?  What better way to enjoy winter than cleansing and relaxing in an underground Turkish-style bath that is built into Ancient ruins? ‘Acquamadre Hammam’ has a series of different sauna rooms with different temperatures and humidities, special exfoliating black soaps, wonderful masseuses, and a small, glowing, 30 degree centigrade  pool, known in Ancient times as a frigidarium, which you climb into last to close your well cleansed pores. When you are done - and there is no time limit - you get to lounge in a beautiful light room where the staff serves you hot herbal tea. While this is not a traditional Roman activity, the concept is inspired by the public baths that were extremely popular in Ancient Rome. In addition, this incredible underground space is located in the heart of the Jewish quarter, one of the oldest in the world. After a relaxing hour in the baths, you can explore this rich neighbourhood's culinary traditions by trying fried artichokes "alla giudia” at Ba'Ghetto, stopping at Beppe e i Suoi Formaggi for a cheese platter, and perhaps topping it all off with a glass of red wine at a local wine bar!   What are some of your favorite things to do in winter in Rome? Let us know!   Marcel Sales, Social Media, and Marketing Expert Italy Hotline Custom & Gourmet Tours