Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Santa Maria Maggiore
- Santa Maria in Ara Coeli
- Santi Cosma e Damiano
- Monti Neighborhood
Select a date
Tour Description
Picture yourself strolling through the cobblestone streets, wrapped in the enchanting atmosphere of Rome at Christmas. Your journey will take you to the magnificent Santa Maria Maggiore, Saint Cosmos and Damian, and Santa Maria in Aracoeli churches, each brimming with historical significance and adorned with stunning nativity scenes. These intricate displays are not just a feast for the eyes but a heartwarming insight into Italian culture, where the nativity scene is a cherished holiday centerpiece in most homes.
Let your Context Expert lead you through the heart of Rome, where the Monti neighborhood awaits with its charming window displays and twinkling decorations. As you wander, the festive spirit of Rome surrounds you, inviting immersion in local holiday customs and craftsmanship. Don't hesitate to ask your guide for a pause to savor a traditional Christmas pastry, such as pangiallo or torrone.
Available only from December 8th to January 6th, this 3-hour tour offers an intimate exploration of Roman Holiday traditions. Delve into the significance of nativities and relics, enriching your Christmas experience in Rome with authenticity and wonder.
Experts
- You are excited to experience the personal touch of a private guide during Rome's bustling holiday season, offering you exclusive insights and stories that bring the city's Christmas traditions to life.
- Santa Maria Maggiore - A Christmas visit here offers a unique connection to the nativity story, a glimpse at a relic of the original manger from Bethlehem.
- Santa Maria in Ara Coeli - This church hosts a special Christmas Eve celebration where children from around the world recite poems and sing carols in front of the Santo Bambino, a wooden statue of the infant Jesus.
- Santi Cosma e Damiano - Celebrated for its breathtaking early Christian mosaics, each year it crafts a giant nativity scene that artfully combines ancient heritage with contemporary artistry
- Monti Neighborhood - During December, the Monti neighborhood transforms into a festive wonderland with its artisan shops and boutiques beautifully decorated, offering a picturesque stroll through one of Rome's most charming areas.
General Information
- To ensure everyone enjoys the tour, let us know of any mobility concerns during booking.
- This tour entails a moderate 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) walk, including uneven cobbled streets.
Tickets
- This tour does not include any advance admission ticket costs.
- Please note that snacks or souvenirs will be at your own expense.
Dress Code
- Please dress modestly for your tour, covering shoulders and knees.
- You may be asked to remove hats inside churches.
Resources
- For additional information on planning your visit to Italy, explore our Context Stories.
- Enhance your understanding of Rome with our online lectures and audio guides before your tour.
For more information about Context Tours, please visit our FAQs.
Is this a Food Tour?
No. This tour may include a stop for a seasonal treat or coffee, but for a deeper dive into Roman holiday food traditions, we recommend our Rome Holiday Food Tour.
Is this tour appropriate for kids?
Absolutely! Please mention your children's ages and interests when booking to ensure we assign a guide who's great with kids.
Absolutely! Please mention your children's ages and interests when booking to ensure we assign a guide who's great with kids.
What happens if there’s inclement weather on my tour date?
Rain or shine, our tour goes on! We're equipped to make your experience delightful, regardless of the weather.
Rain or shine, our tour goes on! We're equipped to make your experience delightful, regardless of the weather.
Is photography allowed inside the churches?
During the holiday season, the churches we visit are stunningly decorated, and we understand the urge to capture these moments. However, photography rules in Italian churches differ based on the season and church authorities' discretion. If photography is allowed, we kindly ask that you avoid using flash to protect the ancient artworks' integrity. Always look out for signs indicating photography policies or ask your guide for assistance.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
–
21 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Lauren Golden has a sophisticated and developed professional manner. She presents coherent and well thought out narratives and is able to fly off on fascinating, but pertinent, tangents in response to objects/subjects. Has a very good eye. Talented communicator. By far the best docent on this Rome trip.
Wim
Jan. 10, 2018
It all worked! Docent was exceptional.
Sue
Jan. 4, 2018
It all worked. Lauren was truly exceptional. A great teacher, she communicated the excitement of her passion to the 6 of us on the trip, and her knowledge of Italian Nativities (and I assume much else in Italian art and history) is profound. My wife and I would gladly come back to Rome to have her guide us for three solid days instead of three solid hours!
Robert
Jan. 3, 2018
There's No Place Like Rome for the Holidays
Learn more with Chiara
Book Now
![](https://cdn.contexttravel.com/image/upload/c_fill,q_60,w_720/v1670356912/production/product_video/poster_74_1670356911.jpg)