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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At a Glance
The Eternal City of Rome has a certain feeling and energy during Christmas. From your program site hotel, it is a 20-minute walk to the lively Piazza Navona, where numerous stalls selling confections, handicrafts, and toys line the Baroque square. Families converge there, children fill out their wish lists, and 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. An opportunity is given to attend a midnight mass at a church near the hotel.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to five miles a day. Extended standing during site visits with limited or no public seating. Uneven terrain, limited public handrails, unavoidable stairs, marble and terracotta flooring, cobblestones, inclines, loose gravel. Elevator use is limited or restricted in historic sites. Expect crowded conditions in pedestrian centers and museums. Program-related travel and transfers will be via bus and minivan.
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.
What You'll Learn
- Experience reserved entrance to the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) and the Galleria Borghese to minimize wait time.
- Through an on-site lecture in the Capitoline Museums, 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 select dates of 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 trip experts
Rachel Potts
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.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Paolo Alei
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Dr. Paolo Alei is an art historian specializing in and publishing works on Renaissance and Baroque art in Rome and Venice; however, he considers Classical art one of his passions. He earned his M.A. in art history and archaeology from Columbia University. Paolo teaches full-time at the University of California System Rome program and enjoys Italian cinema from the Neorealism period through the 1970s.
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.
Giulietta Seme
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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.
Alessio Rosoldi
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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.
Bruna Baravelli
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Bruna Baravelli is from Forlì, on the northeastern coast of Italy. After graduating from Liceo Classico, she earned her Ph.D. 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.
Richard Bowen
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Richard Bowen, a native of London, has lived in Rome for most of his adult life. He was awarded a BA in humanities from Middlesex University and an 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 other parts of Europe. He has a keen interest in political, social, and art history.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
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.
Christmas in Rome
Program Number: 19115
Rome from the Ground Up
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.
The Raphael Affair
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.
St. Peter's
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.
The Jewish War
The Penguin Classics edition of the account by the commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee after the A.D. 66 revolt against Rome.
Rome, A Cultural History
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.
Secret Rome
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.
SPQR, A History of Ancient Rome
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.
Ancient Rome: Art, Architecture, and History
This lively, illustrated survey of Ancient Rome's monuments, history and art is a terrific introduction.
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
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.
Rome
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.
Poison, A Novel of the Renaissance
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.
When in Rome, 2000 Years of Roman Sightseeing
Drawing from a wealth of primary sources, Sturgis produces a fascinating history of Roman sightseeing over the past two millennia.
Blue Guide Rome
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.
Roman Art and Architecture
Sir Mortimer Wheeler describes Roman art, architecture and town planning in this abundantly illustrated book in the World of Art series.
The Renaissance in Rome
A cultural portrait Rome during the Renaissance. It puts the remarkable art and architecture of the time into its cultural context.
Rome Stories
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.
The Smiles of Rome, A Literary Companion for Readers and Travelers
A wonderfully inspired anthology featuring excerpts from 29 writers and artists interspersed with practical suggestions for travelers.
Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel
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.
Rome Map
A handy map at a scale of 1:11,000, with a more detailed overview of the city center.
The Colosseum
This engaging overview of the history of the Colosseum deconstructs Hollywood-perpetrated misconceptions of gladiator-eating lions, Nero fiddling and other myths.