Here are a few pictures of Rome during the Christmas 2015 season. Nothing lifts the spirit more than shimmering Christmas lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, lovely shops and gorgeously packaged panettoni and other holiday treats!
Piazza Venezia...
The iconic Hassler Hotel at the top of the Spanish steps...
Via del Babuino...
These boxed panettoni are from Il Cigno bar in Parioli, one of my favourites that has been around for decades...
The Cigno also makes these gorgeous Christmas cookies and candies...
Another lovely hotel, The Excelsior, situated on Via Veneto always has lovely Christmas lights...
Via dei Coronari, traditionally a street full of artisans and antique shops, now has wonderful restaurants and shops. This shop opened just a year ago and is a year-round Christmas shop, mostly selling handcrafted items for presepi.
Via dei Coronari leads right into the exquisite Piazza Navona and at Christmas there is a carousel for children...and adults: I love riding it!
Saint Peters was immersed in a deep fog, barely visible, behind its Presepe (Nativity Scene) and Christmas tree...
However, most shops will be closed by 6pm on Christmas Eve, and shops in Rome will be closed on both the December 25th and 26th.