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Italy

Christmas in Rome

Program No. 19115RJ
When in Rome, celebrate Christmas as the locals do. Enjoy the Christmas markets, marvel at the Sistine Chapel, and explore the grand monuments of the city's past and present.

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itinerary
Please Note:
The itinerary for this program is different on certain dates.
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Dec 19 - Dec 27, 2023
Starting at
3,799
Dec 20 - Dec 28, 2023
Starting at
3,099
Itinerary Note

For those participants continuing onward to Road Scholar program New Year's In Florence (#19221) or New Year's in Sorrento (#22188), a high-speed train ticket to Florence or Sorrento is included at no additional cost. To avail yourself of the hotel transfer and train ticket, please contact Trinity College (cp-italy@trincoll.edu) by no later than December 1, 2023 to make your arrangements.

Dec 13 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
3,799
Dec 20 - Dec 28, 2024
Starting at
3,799
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Filling Fast!
Dec 19 - Dec 27, 2023
Starting at
4,559
Filling Fast!
Dec 20 - Dec 28, 2023
Starting at
3,639
Itinerary Note

For those participants continuing onward to Road Scholar program New Year's In Florence (#19221) or New Year's in Sorrento (#22188), a high-speed train ticket to Florence or Sorrento is included at no additional cost. To avail yourself of the hotel transfer and train ticket, please contact Trinity College (cp-italy@trincoll.edu) by no later than December 1, 2023 to make your arrangements.

Dec 13 - Dec 21, 2024
Starting at
4,559
Dec 20 - Dec 28, 2024
Starting at
4,559

At a Glance

The Eternal City of Rome has a certain feeling and energy during the Christmas season. From your program site hotel, it is a twenty minute walk to the lively Piazza Navona, where numerous stalls selling confections, handicrafts and toys line the baroque square. Families converge there and children fill out their wish list, while many churches arrange beautiful nativity scenes. Come discover the many ways Romans celebrate this special time of the year. Experience the culture and history of Rome and learn about some of the world’s most famous artistic masterpieces, including an expert-led field trip to the Vatican Museums and the Basilica of St. Peter. Opportunity is given to attend a midnight mass at a church in the vicinity of the hotel.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking and standing for up to three hours throughout the day. Mostly cobblestone streets, some uneven terrain.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Experience reserved entrance to the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) and the Borghese Gallery minimize wait time.
  • Through an on-site lecture in the Capitoline Museum, learn about Roman history, art and fashion before exploring the Jewish Synagogue and Museum in the Ghetto with a docent.
  • Learn to make an Italian dish and dessert at a cooking school in the heart of Rome.

General Notes

Give us a call to combine this learning adventure with, "New Year's In Florence" (#19221) or "New Year's in Sorrento" (#22188) for even more learning in Italy! We'll even transfer you for free between locations.
Featured Expert
All Experts
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Paolo Alei
Dr. Paolo Alei is an art historian with a specialization and publications on Renaissance and Baroque art in Rome and also in Venice. However, this does not mean that he has neglected Classical art, another of his passions. He earned his MA from Columbia University in art history and archaeology. Paolo teaches full time at the University of California System Rome program, and enjoys Italian cinema from the Neorealism period through the 1970s.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Paolo Alei
Paolo Alei View biography
Dr. Paolo Alei is an art historian with a specialization and publications on Renaissance and Baroque art in Rome and also in Venice. However, this does not mean that he has neglected Classical art, another of his passions. He earned his MA from Columbia University in art history and archaeology. Paolo teaches full time at the University of California System Rome program, and enjoys Italian cinema from the Neorealism period through the 1970s.
Profile Image of Rachel Potts
Rachel Potts View biography
Rachel Potts is a licensed excursion leader in Rome. She graduated from Manchester University with a bachelor's in Philosophy and French, and later studied garden design at the London Gardening School. Having grown up in Rome, she chose to return to Italy and share her knowledge and love of Rome and the surrounding areas.
Profile Image of Giulietta Seme
Giulietta Seme View biography
Julieta is a passionate student of history, specializing in the history and culture of her native city of Rome. She studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma with a concentration in painting before earning a degree in classical archaeology and art history from the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza." Outside of history, Julieta enjoys hiking beautiful nature trails by the seaside or in the mountains of Italy.
Profile Image of Alessio Rosoldi
Alessio Rosoldi View biography
Alessio Rosoldi is a native of Rome and a true lifelong learner. He graduated from the Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" with a degree in foreign languages and literature and an MA in intercultural communication. Alessio went on to work for the World Food Program, a United Nations entity based out of Rome. Recently, he earned a second MA, this time in Italian studies from the University of Washington.
Profile Image of Bruna Baravelli
Bruna Baravelli View biography
Bruna Baravelli is from Forlì, on the northeastern coast of Italy. After graduating from Liceo Classico, she got her PhD in English literature at the Università di Bologna. Before retiring, Bruna taught English literature and held administrative positions in the local school district. She has dedicated her time to public service as a member of the Forlì city council and the national council for equal opportunity. She is passionate about the merits of travel and has fostered educational exchanges in Europe and the United States.
Profile Image of Richard Bowen
Richard Bowen View biography
A native of London, Richard Bowen has lived in Rome for most of his adult life. He was awarded a BA in humanities from Middlesex University and a MA in history from University College in London. As a young graduate he worked as an archaeologist for the Museum of London. Richard is a licensed group leader for the Province of Rome and has led groups in Italy and in other parts of Europe. He has a keen interest in political, social and art history.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Rome from the Ground Up
by James H. S. McGregor
A wonderfully erudite, in-depth guide to the architecture and history of Rome. With 88 color and 34 black-and-white photographs and 20 maps.
Secret Rome
by Jonglez Publishing
Highlighting the most strange, fascinating and esoteric sights of any destination, Secret guides are compiled by locals and organized by neighborhood. In Rome, Secret points the way to: palaces closed to the public, the miraculous liquefaction of the blood of Saint Pantaleon, and secrets of the Vatican.
Rome Map
by Berndtson & Berndtson
A handy map at a scale of 1:11,000, with a more detailed overview of the city center.
St. Peter's
by Keith Miller, Mary Beard (Editor)
Miller traces the evolution of St. Peter's from its original incarnation, built on the orders of Emperor Constantine, to its medieval rebirth and additions by Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno in this history, guide and celebration of the great baroque basilica.
Blue Guide Rome
by Alta MacAdam
The 10th edition of MacAdam's ultimate guide to Rome, with full color street maps, dozens of site plans, suggested walks and extensive commentary on the history and significance of every church, monument and district.
SPQR, A History of Ancient Rome
by Mary Beard
The incomparable historian Mary Beard draws together the perspectives of emperors, citizens, women, slaves, conquered enemies and more in this popular history of the Roman Republic.
The Raphael Affair
by Iain Pears
In the first of the popular Jonathan Argyll art mysteries, Argyll sneaks into a small church near Campo dei Fiori identify an undiscovered Raphael -- unfortunately for him, the painting has disappeared.
Rome
by Robert Hughes
Opening with his arrival in Rome in 1958 as a wide-eyed young Australian, Hughes takes in the art, architecture, sculpture and life of Rome, past and present, in this splendidly written, sweeping tale of the beloved city, including memorable portraits of characters from Caesar to Cicero, Mussolini and Fellini.
The Smiles of Rome, A Literary Companion for Readers and Travelers
by Susan Cahill
A wonderfully inspired anthology featuring excerpts from 29 writers and artists interspersed with practical suggestions for travelers.
The Colosseum
by Keith Hopkins, Mary Beard
This engaging overview of the history of the Colosseum deconstructs Hollywood-perpetrated misconceptions of gladiator-eating lions, Nero fiddling and other myths.
Rome, A Cultural History
by Jonathan Boardman
Not a comprehensive history, but a good, easy-to-read introduction to the city and its landmarks that will appeal both to first time visitors and those who know and love the city.
Rome Stories
by Jonathan Keates
Part of the well-produced Everyman's Library series, this collection of classic tales shows Rome in different lights across the centuries. Featuring artists, poets, philosophers, novelists and more, the passages explore the fascination that Rome has inspired in so many, for so long.
Ancient Rome: Art, Architecture, and History
by Ada Gabucci (Editor)
This lively, illustrated survey of Ancient Rome's monuments, history and art is a terrific introduction.
The Jewish War
by Flavius Josephus
The Penguin Classics edition of the account by the commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee after the A.D. 66 revolt against Rome.
When in Rome, 2000 Years of Roman Sightseeing
by Matthew Sturgis
Drawing from a wealth of primary sources, Sturgis produces a fascinating history of Roman sightseeing over the past two millennia.
The Renaissance in Rome
by Charles L. Stinger
A cultural portrait Rome during the Renaissance. It puts the remarkable art and architecture of the time into its cultural context.
Poison, A Novel of the Renaissance
by Sara Poole
Defying convention to become Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia's official poisoner, Francesca Giordano becomes the confidante of Lucrezia and the lover of Cesare while pursuing her father's murderer and struggling to prevent Renaissance Italy from resuming oppressive medieval practices.
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
by Ross King
King's colorful chronicle of the world's most famous ceiling paints a maniacal pope, a budding artist and a "who's who" of other 16th-century Italians (Raphael, Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci). Presented with flair and backed by a wealth of research.
Roman Art and Architecture
by Sir Mortimer Eric Wheeler
Sir Mortimer Wheeler describes Roman art, architecture and town planning in this abundantly illustrated book in the World of Art series.
Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel
by Andrew Graham-Dixon
Taking readers behind the beauty of the world’s most famous fresco, this articulate piece of art criticism is a full history of the masterwork and includes plenty of rich, full-color illustrations.





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