{"id":1525,"date":"2023-06-21T13:34:33","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T12:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=1525"},"modified":"2023-06-26T12:48:38","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T11:48:38","slug":"winter-italy-travel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel","title":{"rendered":"Rome in Winter: Traveling in Italy&#8217;s Off Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re considering traveling to Rome in the winter, we have good news: We think it&#8217;s a\u00a0<em>great\u00a0<\/em>time of year to come! From fewer crowds to lower accommodation prices, there are a lot of perks to coming to Rome from November to March.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some tips to know about traveling to Rome in winter!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14801\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14801\" class=\"wp-image-14801 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/christmas-tree-colosseo.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas tree at the Colosseum\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14801\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A visit to the Colosseum at Christmas? Yes, please!<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#When_is_the_off_season_in_Rome\" >When is the off season in Rome?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#What_to_expect_in_the_off_season\" >What to expect in the off season<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Packing_for_Rome_in_the_low_season\" >Packing for Rome in the low season<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Rome_in_winter_The_weather\" >Rome in winter: The weather<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Seasonal_foods_to_try\" >Seasonal foods to try<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Antipasti\" >Antipasti<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Fish_and_seafood\" >Fish and seafood<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Pasta_and_potato_dishes\" >Pasta and potato dishes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Tortellini_in_brodo_pasta_al_forno_ragu%E2%80%A6\" >Tortellini in brodo, pasta al forno, rag\u00f9&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Hearty_meat_dishes\" >Hearty meat dishes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Desserts_Panettone_pandoro_and_crespelle\" >Desserts: Panettone, pandoro, and crespelle<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/winter-italy-travel\/#Christmas_and_New_Years_festivities\" >Christmas and New Year&#8217;s festivities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_is_the_off_season_in_Rome\"><\/span>When is the off season in Rome?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mid-November to Easter, excluding Christmas and New Year&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_expect_in_the_off_season\"><\/span>What to expect in the off season<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Crowd-wise, expect it to be much more tranquil than usual! Of course, some areas of the city will always have tourist crowds. Even in the dead of winter, you can expect at least an hour-long line at the Colosseum, and unless you come at 3 a.m., you won&#8217;t be alone at the Trevi Fountain for a minute.<\/p>\n<p>Still, these crowds are\u00a0<em>much\u00a0<\/em>smaller than they&#8217;d normally be. Instead of being shoulder-to-shoulder packed like you would be in the summer, for example, you might actually have some <em>breathing room\u00a0<\/em>in the Sistine Chapel. At certain times of day, there might not even be a line into the Vatican museums or <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/top-attractions\/st-peters-basilica\"><strong>St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica<\/strong><\/a>. And at lesser-known attractions, you just might be the only one in the room!<\/p>\n<p>Another perk of Rome in the winter is the lower prices. Hotels, B&amp;Bs and apartments all tend to lower their rates in the off season, as do airlines&#8230; so you can save a bit of extra cash.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_13689\" style=\"width: 1610px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13689\" class=\"wp-image-13689 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/christmas-decorations-on-trentino-alto-adige-PH3WC5L-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-13689\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rome at Christmas comes with perks, including the Piazza Navona Christmas market.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Packing_for_Rome_in_the_low_season\"><\/span>Packing for Rome in the low season<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Pack your layers. As in Florence, if you want to &#8220;fit in&#8221; (or at least not look like a first-time tourist), remember the winter dress code: leather shoes for men and boots for women, wool button-up coats, leather gloves, and, of course, a stylish, warm scarf (that goes for men, too)!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rome_in_winter_The_weather\"><\/span>Rome in winter: The weather<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What you potentially sacrifice for all of those perks, though, is the weather. Although Rome&#8217;s climate is generally milder than, say, the northeastern United States, it\u00a0<em>does\u00a0<\/em>get cold, so pack your winter layers and your hats. Snow is also rare here\u2014it snowed once last winter, and was a\u00a0<em>big\u00a0<\/em>deal\u2014so make sure you&#8217;re prepared for cold rain instead! That said, depending on your luck, there can be more beautiful, crisp days than there are rainy ones&#8230; so keep your fingers crossed.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3622\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/imperial-forums-rain.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3622\" class=\" wp-image-3622 size-full\" title=\"imperial forums rain\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/imperial-forums-rain.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/imperial-forums-rain.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/imperial-forums-rain-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3622\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Still, even rain in Rome isn&#8217;t all bad\u2014it definitely makes for pretty photographs!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Seasonal_foods_to_try\"><\/span>Seasonal foods to try<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are so many delicious seasonal foods to try, and some of the holiday dishes have to be our favorite! For a full breakdown, read our post about typical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/christmas-and-winter-food-traditions-rome\">Roman Christmas and winter food traditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Antipasti\"><\/span>Antipasti<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Antipasti almost invariably feature cured meats and cheeses. In fact, you may find special &#8220;Christmas salamis&#8221; which are cured specifically for the holiday season. Elaborate dishes also make an appearance, such as <em>vitello tonnato<\/em> (cold roast veal with a mayonnaise sauce infused with tuna) or various<em> frittata<\/em> variations.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fish_and_seafood\"><\/span>Fish and seafood<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In adherence to Catholic tradition, the consumption of meat is prohibited on the evenings preceding religious holidays. Hence, on Christmas Eve, many Italians opt for a delectable seafood feast. If you visit a fish market on the morning of the 24th in any Italian city, you&#8217;ll witness numerous plastic bags resting on ice, each labeled with a surname and containing a diverse assortment of fish species within.<\/p>\n<p>The focus lies on freshness and variety, encompassing different types of seafood and cooking methods. Naturally, the specific seafood and dishes may vary across regions. On holiday menus you&#8217;ll often find <em>frittura di pesce<\/em> (fried fish), which includes an assortment of calamari, baby octopus, and other small fish.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pasta_and_potato_dishes\"><\/span>Pasta and potato dishes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pasta takes center stage during the holiday seasons, offering an array of options. Linguine with lobster, spaghetti with clams, <em>paccheri ai frutti di mare<\/em> (short pasta with mixed seafood)&#8230;the possibilities are endless. As a <em>secondo<\/em> (second course), whole roasted fish accompanied by potatoes often grace the table.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1496\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1496\" class=\"wp-image-1496\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_0553_002-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"One of the most classic Roman pasta dishes\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1496\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Why not try pasta alla gricia, a true Roman favorite?<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tortellini_in_brodo_pasta_al_forno_ragu%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>Tortellini in brodo, pasta al forno, rag\u00f9&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Throughout Italy, particularly in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-from-bologna-parma-emilia-romagna-italy\">Emilia-Romagna<\/a>, the renowned <em>tortellini in brodo<\/em> takes the spotlight\u2014small circles of pasta stuffed with meat, served in a flavorful broth of beef and capon. In the south, there&#8217;s <em>pasta al forno<\/em>, a baked pasta dish. This rich and abundant creation combines long-simmered rag\u00f9, fried meatballs, salami, hard-boiled eggs, chunks of cheese, and a luscious bechamel sauce, baked until the top becomes crispy and the inside turns irresistibly creamy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hearty_meat_dishes\"><\/span>Hearty meat dishes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regular Italian meals usually feature limited amounts of meat\u2014perhaps one sausage per person or a thin cutlet. However, Christmas presents an exception, with many families enjoying multiple carnivorous courses. Following the tortellini broth, succulent boiled meat called <em>bollito<\/em> makes an appearance, traditionally served with salsa verde (a tangy green sauce) or <em>mostarda<\/em> (candied fruit in spiced syrup). Roasts are also quite common, such as roast baby lamb in Rome.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Desserts_Panettone_pandoro_and_crespelle\"><\/span>Desserts: Panettone, pandoro, and crespelle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>And, naturally, desserts abound. The two most popular options are panettone and pandoro, which are sweet, bread-like cakes. Panettone, originating from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?s=milan&amp;post_type=posts\">Milan<\/a>, is a fluffy cake resembling an oversized muffin, studded with dried fruit and raisins. On the other hand, pandoro (literally translating to &#8220;golden bread&#8221;) hails from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?s=verona&amp;post_type=posts\">Verona<\/a>, featuring a moister and denser texture, typically served with a dusting of powdered sugar.<\/p>\n<p>Crespelle is also a food you should try if you can find it! This crepe-like speciality is a type of fried dough that can be filled with cheese or rolled in sugar.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1743\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1743\" class=\"wp-image-1743 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/Panettone-.jpg\" alt=\"Milan dessert\" width=\"1000\" height=\"764\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-1743\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Panettone is a typical treat eaten during the colder months, particularly around Christmas.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Did you know that the Feast of the Seven Fishes is not typically celebrated by Italian families? Discover all about this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/what-is-the-feast-of-seven-fishes\">uniquely Italian-American holiday meal<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Christmas_and_New_Years_festivities\"><\/span>Christmas and New Year&#8217;s festivities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The closer it gets to Christmas and New Year&#8217;s, meanwhile, the more people are in the city (both tourists on holiday, and locals coming into Rome to do their holiday shopping)&#8230; but also the more festive it feels. The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.revealedrome.com\/2011\/12\/christmas-in-rome-decorations-lights.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Christmas lights in Rome<\/a> are absolutely spectacular, the shops and streets are bustling, and, of course, there are lots of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.revealedrome.com\/2010\/12\/see-pope-rome-christmas-visit-midnight-mass-immaculate-conception.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">holiday opportunities to see the Pope<\/a>. There are also several Christmas markets, including the most famous, at Piazza Navona, which goes until January 6 (the Day of the Epiphany).<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t miss our fun video about on Christmas traditions in Rome:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/meR3gMhtfPE?rel=0\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re considering traveling to Rome in the winter, we have good news: We think it&#8217;s a\u00a0great\u00a0time of year to come! From fewer crowds to lower accommodation prices, there are a lot of perks to coming to Rome from November to March. Here are some tips to know about traveling to Rome in winter! When [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":14801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[97,18,82],"ppma_author":[196],"class_list":["post-1525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-autumn","tag-rome","tag-winter"],"authors":[{"term_id":196,"user_id":88,"is_guest":0,"slug":"chiarar","display_name":"Chiara R.","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chiara-Rossi.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Chiara-Rossi.png"},"user_url":"","last_name":"R.","first_name":"Chiara","job_title":"","description":"Born and raised amidst the ancient ruins and charming cobblestone streets, Chiara is the ultimate insider when it comes to all things Rome. Whether she's unraveling the secrets of the Colosseum or exploring the trendy neighborhoods of Trastevere, Chiara's always immersing herself in the world of fashion, food and travel, and she loves sharing her life and insights to the world through her writing."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1525"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/88"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1525"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18280,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1525\/revisions\/18280"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1525"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=1525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}