{"id":727,"date":"2017-09-25T22:10:13","date_gmt":"2017-09-25T22:10:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/?p=727"},"modified":"2026-01-08T15:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:37:19","slug":"15-awesome-things-italy-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas","title":{"rendered":"Why Italy Makes a Great Christmas &#038; New Years Destination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-743 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1-1024x379.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas in Italy \" width=\"1024\" height=\"379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1-1024x379.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1-300x111.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1-768x284.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1-60x22.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1-805x298.jpg 805w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-in-Rome-Collage-1.jpg 1702w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Many people who are interested in visiting Italy don&#8217;t know that winter\u00a0is perhaps one of the best times\u00a0of the year to visit and we believe that it should be on everybody&#8217;s bucket list to see once in their life time.\u00a0 \u00a0We&#8217;ve even wrote an entire article on the subject a few years back and you can read that here below in addition to our list of some of the most fantastic things to do during the Christmas holidays in Italy!<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"1IVZpAmhAr\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/winter-italy-warm-beautiful\">Wonderful Winter in Italy<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Wonderful Winter in Italy&#8221; &#8212; Italy Vacation Specialists\" src=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/winter-italy-warm-beautiful\/embed#?secret=M8Na2Gdbjz#?secret=1IVZpAmhAr\" data-secret=\"1IVZpAmhAr\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The holiday season around Christmas and New years is truly magical\u00a0and it&#8217;s during this time of year when villages, towns and cities all over Italy seem to compete for the best light displays and Christmas markets.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The smell of the chestnuts roasting on the street corners, the hot-chocolate, skating rinks, and traditional Christmas crafts made by local artisans start to appear everywhere.\u00a0 Not to mention the fact that Italy is home to some incredible Christmas foods, wines, spirits and wonderful celebrations in the theater and opera houses!<\/p>\n<p>Below, we have put together a list of some of the best things in Italy to do during the holiday season.<\/p>\n<h2>1. Christmas Markets<\/h2>\n<p>In many major cities and towns all over Italy, you can find some fantastic Christmas markets and celebrations. Some of the best are found in Northern Italy in towns like Bolzano, Cortina and others bordering on Austria, however the rest of Italy including Rome, Florence and Naples also have some incredible Christmas markets to check out! Some of the best in Rome are found near\u00a0<strong>Campo de\u2019 Fiori<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Piazza Navona,\u00a0<\/strong>while in Florence head straight to Piazza Santa Croce where artisans from Italy and all over Europe come to display their holiday crafts.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_168\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-729 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-Market-Rome-1024x320.jpeg\" alt=\"Christmas Market Rome\" width=\"1024\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-Market-Rome-1024x320.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-Market-Rome-300x94.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-Market-Rome-768x240.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-Market-Rome-60x19.jpeg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christmas-Market-Rome-805x252.jpeg 805w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Built in the 1st century AD by Emperor Domitian as a hippodrome and flooded to re-enact naval battles (from where it gets its name), the Baroque movement left it\u2019s mark most conspicuously here with stunning fountains, architecture and statues from Bernini and Borromini.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bustling with activity with street vendors, artists, street performers and even a carousel and a little fair for the children, Piazza Navona evokes a nostaligic feel for the Advent season.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_169\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-728 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_9274-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9274\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_9274-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_9274-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_9274-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_9274-60x45.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_9274-805x604.jpg 805w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>Piazza Navona, Rome at Christmas time\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>2. Visit Small Towns in the Country-Side and Italy&#8217;s Coastal Areas<\/h2>\n<p>Italy&#8217;s small towns, particularly in the regions central Italy like Tuscany &amp; Umbria are alive with activity during the winter months.\u00a0 \u00a0Make it a point to get out of the major city centers and into the countryside to visit towns like Assisi, Gubbio, Perugia and other in Umbria or Lucca and Pisa in Tuscany!\u00a0 They are absolutely filled to the rim with Christmas decorations and truly beautiful to witness during the holiday seasons.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Seek Out Incredibly Decorated Trees in Main Piazzas, Hotels and Parks<\/h2>\n<p>Rome really does go all out with it\u2019s Chistmas Trees which are always enormous, extremely well lit and \u2018Christmasyfied\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The 4\u00a0best trees can be found at the Coliseum, in Piazza Venezia, at the top of the Spanish Steps, and of course, in St Peter\u2019s Square.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_170\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-741 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas-1-60x45.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/piazza-della-repubblica-florence-italy-christmas-1-805x604.jpg 805w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Christmas Tree in Piazza Della Republica, Florence\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>4. Check Out Italy&#8217;s Brilliant Opera Houses<\/h2>\n<p>Get yourself in the mood for\u00a0the holidays\u00a0treat yourself to any number of Italy&#8217;s Opera houses in Milan, Rome, Naples, Florence, Trieste, Torino, and Palermo there is no shortage of incredible musical entertainment!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_175\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_3177\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3177\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3177 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/opera-rome.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/opera-rome.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/opera-rome-300x145.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3177\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Theatre in Rome<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This year,\u00a02017 across Italy, there are countless season Ballets and operas running including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Nutcracker<\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0<em>Teatro dell\u2019Opera<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Four Seasons &amp; other arias\u00a0by Vivaldi\u00a0<\/strong>frequently throughout Advent at 7pm\u00a0<em>Chiesa di Ponte Sant\u2019Angelo<\/em>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Various Opera Performances<\/strong>\u00a0throughout Advent &amp; Christmas at\u00a0<em>Chiesa di Sant Paolo Entro le Mura<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Music \u2013\u00a0<strong>Handel, Beethoven &amp; Bruckner<\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0<em>Parco della Musica \/ Sala Santa Cecilia<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cDisney on Ice: Frozen\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0at\u00a0<em>Parco della Musica \/ Sala Santa Cecilia for kids\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong>Christmas Concerts<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Christmas Concert \u2013 5:15pm\u00a0<em>Sala Baldini<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Christmas Concert \u2013 7pm\u00a0<em>Chiesa Mettodista Italia<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Baroque Christmas Concert \u2013 23 Dec 5:45pm\u00a0<em>Chiesa di S.Maria Immacolata e Museo dei Cappuchini<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>5. Ice Skating in Milan, Como and the northern Lake District cities and towns<\/h2>\n<p>Como town has got a great ice-rink set up right on the lake with wonderful shops and lots of local food to try, not to mention wonderful lights and great artisan stands to buy from.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-748 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_93521-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"IMG_9352[1]\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_93521-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_93521-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_93521-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_93521-60x45.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_93521-805x604.jpg 805w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>4. Taste Holiday Treats<\/h2>\n<p>Italian food is delicious at any time, but this is especially true around Christmas in Rome with certain\u00a0<strong>seasonal delicacies<\/strong>\u00a0also available.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-772 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Italian Salad\" width=\"660\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad-60x40.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad-805x538.jpg 805w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Italian-Salad.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Caprese, Christmas Style<\/p>\n<p>During this time of year, you will also see stacks of boxed cakes called\u00a0<strong>Panettone<\/strong>. \u00a0Available only at this time of year this \u2018sweet bread\u2019 simply melts in your mouth and is one of the lightest tasting things you can eat. \u00a0I\u2019d say it\u2019s a cross between bread and candy floss and Italians love it!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-773 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Panetone1.jpg\" alt=\"Panetone1\" width=\"275\" height=\"183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Panetone1.jpg 275w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Panetone1-60x40.jpg 60w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>10. Midnight Mass at St. Peter&#8217;s, Vatican City<\/h2>\n<p>Midnight mass at St. Peter&#8217;s if you are in Rome is a MUST DO and be sure to organize yourself accordingly before hand.<\/p>\n<p>To attend the Mass, you will need tickets which can be requested from the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vatican.va\/various\/prefettura\/en\/biglietti_en.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prefecture of the Papal Household<\/a>. \u00a0However, if you\u2019ve not been able to secure tickets, then you can still follow the Mass on the giant screens that will be errected in St Peter\u2019s Square.<\/p>\n<p>More\u00a0information on Papal Masses\u00a0and visiting Vatican City, get in touch with us.\u00a0 team@italyvacationspecialists.com<\/p>\n<p>This year, Midnight Mass with the Pope at St Peters will begin at\u00a0<strong>21:15<\/strong>inside the Basilica.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_181\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-181\" src=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/midnight-mass.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/midnight-mass.jpg 550w, https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/midnight-mass-300x188.jpg 300w\" alt=\"Papal Midnight Mass\" width=\"550\" height=\"344\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Papal Midnight Mass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>7. Christmas\u00a0Shopping<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Now that your body and probably ego is a little bruised from the ice skating, how about indulging in a little retail therapy to perk yourself up whilst spending Christmas in Rome\u2026?<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t leave your\u00a0<strong>Christmas Shopping<\/strong>\u00a0to the last minute, get in quick to take advantage of Rome\u2019s fantastic shopping culture and learn why Italian fashion and design is world famous.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-781 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/localhost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair-1024x587.jpg\" alt=\"italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair-1024x587.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair-768x440.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair-60x34.jpg 60w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair-805x462.jpg 805w, https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/italian-fashion-textiles-trade-fair.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Experience Incredible Shopping at Designer Stores in Italy\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Of course the most iconic of Italian shops are the designer shops in the area around\u00a0<strong>Via Condotti<\/strong>\u00a0(just near the Spanish Steps). \u00a0Luxurious brands such as\u00a0<strong>Versacci, Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Valentino, Giorgio Armani &amp; Prada<\/strong>are all in this area for those who want to splash out on their gifts.<\/p>\n<p>For those who are less affluent and are more into bargain hunting, the nearby\u00a0<strong>Via del Corso<\/strong>\u00a0also has a myriad of more mainstream boutiques.<\/p>\n<h2>8. Feast of\u00a0the Messenger\u00a0of Bethlehem<\/h2>\n<p>As we get closer to Christmas and our Advent preparations begin to bear fruit, we should be focusing more and more on the true meaning of Christmas \u2013 the coming of God to each of us as a helpless little baby in the humble beginnings at Bethlehem.<\/p>\n<p>No other Christian feast so captures the humanity of Jesus who comes to each of us, not as an all powerful deity, but as a loving baby calling us to love Him back.<\/p>\n<p>Born in the House of Bread (or in Hebrew \u2013\u00a0<em>Bethlehem<\/em>), Jesus was laid in a manger (where animals eat from) for us to chew over the signifcance of what is before us.<\/p>\n<p>Be there with the shepherds and magi as they come to adore this baby boy in the manger, by visiting the pieces of wood in the Basilica of S. Maria Maggiore which tradition holds are the pieces of the\u00a0<strong>wood of the manger<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_180\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-180 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/2.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/2.jpg 650w, https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/2-300x144.jpg 300w\" alt=\"Relics of Christ's Crib\" width=\"650\" height=\"312\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Relics of Christ\u2019s Crib<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Collected and placed inside a silver reliquary in a small underground chapel in the middle of the church, the relics have been placed in a spot which had been hollowed out as a place of pilgrimage for those visiting Rome as early as 432AD.<\/p>\n<p>Pope Sixtus III ordered a \u2018cave of the nativity\u2019 to be dug in the Basilica and although less cave-like today, it is extremely moving to be in the heart of the church\u00a0and be before the\u00a0<strong>Christ-Child\u2019s crib<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Surely Christmas in Rome wouldnt be complete without this visit!?<\/p>\n<h2>9. Nativity Scenes<\/h2>\n<p>Tradition holds that the first nativity scene (or nativity crib, or in Italian\u00a0<em>presepe<\/em>) was made by St Francis of Assisi, but as mentioned above, as early as 432 and Pope Sixtus III, people have been creating re-enactments of this first scene of Christ\u2019s birth.<\/p>\n<p>Italians pride themselves on their crib scenes and often compete with each other in producing the largest or most beautiful.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the most notable nativity scenes in Rome include the one at the second level of the Spanish Steps, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, San Marcello on the Via del Corso, San Cosmo and Damiano, Santa Maria in Trastevere and the American church of Santa Susanna.<\/p>\n<p>But the most famous and indeed most impressive is the Nativity Scene at St Peter\u2019s Square.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_173\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-173\" src=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/1.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/1.jpg 650w, https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/1-300x144.jpg 300w\" alt=\"Life-size Nativity Scene at St Peters\" width=\"650\" height=\"312\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Life-size Nativity Scene at St Peters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Positioned at the obelisk in the centre of the square in front of the stunning Basilica of St Peter, the nativity scene is life-size and under construction for all of December.<\/p>\n<p>The Crib Scene is finally unveiled on Christmas Eve in time for Midnight Mass at the Vatican.<\/p>\n<p>This is truly impressive and of course you can visit it any time after Christmas Eve until 8 January 2017.<\/p>\n<h2>\u00a011.\u00a0 Christmas Day Mass at Vatican City &#8220;<em>Urbi et Orbe&#8221;<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>\u201c<em>Urbi et Orbe<\/em>\u201d is latin for \u201cto the city [of Rome] and to the world\u201d. \u00a0It is the name given to the address by the Pope given for the world to hear and made annually on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n<p>The Pope generally sends Christmas greetings and prayers to all peoples in various languages but may also use the occasion to reflect on an important message for our times.<\/p>\n<p>The finale of the\u00a0<strong>Pope\u2019s Christmas Speech<\/strong>\u00a0is to give his\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Apostolic_Blessing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Apostolic Blessing<\/a>\u00a0to all those present in\u00a0<strong>St Peter\u2019s Square<\/strong>\u00a0and who are following his speech via modern communications, and grants the listeners a plenary indulgence.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_182\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-182\" src=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/urbi-et-orbi.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 85vw, 550px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/urbi-et-orbi.jpg 550w, https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/urbi-et-orbi-300x188.jpg 300w\" alt=\"Urbi et Orbi\" width=\"550\" height=\"344\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Urbi et Orbi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Many Roman families will come to the square for this blessing and there is a very special and wonderful atmosphere that conveys the message of peace and wonder of Christmas.<\/p>\n<h2>12. Baby Jesus at Aracoeli<\/h2>\n<p>With the baby Jesus now having arrived, nativity scenes throughout Rome will now include the baby Jesus statue within their crib.<\/p>\n<p>However this takes on special significane at the Basilica of the Holy Baby of\u00a0<strong>Aracoeli<\/strong>\u00a0at the\u00a0<strong>Capitoline Hill. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_183\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-183\" src=\"https:\/\/eternalcitytours.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/aracoeli.jpg\" alt=\"Baby Jesus of Aracoeli\" width=\"173\" height=\"300\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Baby Jesus of Aracoeli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This magnificent church located at the top of a massive flight of steps, is so named as it is home to a 15th century devotional wooden statue of the baby Jesus swaddled in\u00a0golden fabric, wearing a crown, and adorned with various gemstones and jewels donated by devotees.<\/p>\n<p>The historical records show that this statue was carved from a single block of olive wood taken from the Garden of Gethsemani from the Holy Land. \u00a0Numerous miracles of healing have been reported in association with the statue.<\/p>\n<p>Normally located in a glass casket, for the period of Christmas, the statue is placed in the crib of the Basilica\u2019s nativity scene.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, this has enabled thieves to get close enough to steal precious jewels from the baby (like candy from a baby), but we hope you will simply go to him and adore the beauty of the scene.<\/p>\n<h2>\u00a0For more information about great holiday ideas and festivities in Italy, get in touch with us today at: team@italyvacationspecialists.com<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Many people who are interested in visiting Italy don&#8217;t know that winter\u00a0is perhaps one of the best times\u00a0of the year to visit and we believe that it should be on everybody&#8217;s bucket list to see once in their life time.\u00a0 \u00a0We&#8217;ve even wrote an entire article on the subject a few years back and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":758,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"4","parallax":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"bottom","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_post_related":"0","show_inline_post_related":"0"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"no-crop","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":""},"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[125],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-italian-food-wine"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Christmas New Years Destination Italy - IVS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Planning for Christmas and New Year tour destination in Italy? Then, you are at right place. Visit our site or call us now at 39338356912\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Christmas New Years Destination Italy - IVS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Planning for Christmas and New Year tour destination in Italy? Then, you are at right place. Visit our site or call us now at 39338356912\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Italy Vacation Specialists\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-09-25T22:10:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-08T15:37:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1-1024x768.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jesse Andrews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ivs33708249\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ivs33708249\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jesse Andrews\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jesse Andrews\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9916dd774692ae8aaee76b8d841ef908\"},\"headline\":\"Why Italy Makes a Great Christmas &#038; New Years Destination\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-09-25T22:10:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-08T15:37:19+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\"},\"wordCount\":1922,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Italian Food &amp; Wine\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\",\"name\":\"Christmas New Years Destination Italy - IVS\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-09-25T22:10:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-08T15:37:19+00:00\",\"description\":\"Planning for Christmas and New Year tour destination in Italy? Then, you are at right place. Visit our site or call us now at 39338356912\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg\",\"width\":4032,\"height\":3024},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Why Italy Makes a Great Christmas &#038; New Years Destination\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Italy Vacation Specialists\",\"description\":\"Customized and Escorted Tours of Italy\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Italy Vacation Specialists\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/02\\\/logo.png\",\"width\":1068,\"height\":608,\"caption\":\"Italy Vacation Specialists\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/ivs33708249\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/italyvacationspecialists\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.it\\\/team7402\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9916dd774692ae8aaee76b8d841ef908\",\"name\":\"Jesse Andrews\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0e902ef983a12470e99a265eaf3a949a48b0b9a6e7534ab8920e37a226e98da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0e902ef983a12470e99a265eaf3a949a48b0b9a6e7534ab8920e37a226e98da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/0e902ef983a12470e99a265eaf3a949a48b0b9a6e7534ab8920e37a226e98da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Jesse Andrews\"},\"description\":\"Founder and Technical Director of Italy Vacation Specialists, with over 23 years of experience living and working in Italy. A licensed guide recognized by the Italian Ministry of Tourism, she specializes in creating authentic, tailor-made travel experiences across Italy.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/italyvacationspecialists\",\"https:\\\/\\\/youtube.com\\\/@italyvacationspecialistsoffici\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Christmas New Years Destination Italy - IVS","description":"Planning for Christmas and New Year tour destination in Italy? Then, you are at right place. Visit our site or call us now at 39338356912","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Christmas New Years Destination Italy - IVS","og_description":"Planning for Christmas and New Year tour destination in Italy? Then, you are at right place. Visit our site or call us now at 39338356912","og_url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas","og_site_name":"Italy Vacation Specialists","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1\/","article_published_time":"2017-09-25T22:10:13+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-01-08T15:37:19+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":768,"url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1-1024x768.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Jesse Andrews","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ivs33708249","twitter_site":"@ivs33708249","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Jesse Andrews","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas"},"author":{"name":"Jesse Andrews","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9916dd774692ae8aaee76b8d841ef908"},"headline":"Why Italy Makes a Great Christmas &#038; New Years Destination","datePublished":"2017-09-25T22:10:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-08T15:37:19+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas"},"wordCount":1922,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg","articleSection":["Italian Food &amp; Wine"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas","url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas","name":"Christmas New Years Destination Italy - IVS","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg","datePublished":"2017-09-25T22:10:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-08T15:37:19+00:00","description":"Planning for Christmas and New Year tour destination in Italy? Then, you are at right place. Visit our site or call us now at 39338356912","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Christtmas-in-Italy-1.jpg","width":4032,"height":3024},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/15-awesome-things-italy-christmas#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why Italy Makes a Great Christmas &#038; New Years Destination"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/","name":"Italy Vacation Specialists","description":"Customized and Escorted Tours of Italy","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Italy Vacation Specialists","url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/logo.png","width":1068,"height":608,"caption":"Italy Vacation Specialists"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1","https:\/\/x.com\/ivs33708249","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/italyvacationspecialists","https:\/\/www.pinterest.it\/team7402"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/9916dd774692ae8aaee76b8d841ef908","name":"Jesse Andrews","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0e902ef983a12470e99a265eaf3a949a48b0b9a6e7534ab8920e37a226e98da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0e902ef983a12470e99a265eaf3a949a48b0b9a6e7534ab8920e37a226e98da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/0e902ef983a12470e99a265eaf3a949a48b0b9a6e7534ab8920e37a226e98da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Jesse Andrews"},"description":"Founder and Technical Director of Italy Vacation Specialists, with over 23 years of experience living and working in Italy. A licensed guide recognized by the Italian Ministry of Tourism, she specializes in creating authentic, tailor-made travel experiences across Italy.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ItalyVacationSpecialists1\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/italyvacationspecialists","https:\/\/youtube.com\/@italyvacationspecialistsoffici"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=727"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3178,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/727\/revisions\/3178"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvacationspecialists.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}