Christmas Assisi

Christmas 2010 in Rome and Greccio

Rome Mini

Introduction

Christmas time in Rome is when the city empties of tourists and the streets are full of Romans enjoying the many events and spectacles that occur at this time. Every piazza has its beautifully decorated Christmas tree and every church its crib; as only fitting, the tree and crib in St Peter’s Square outshine all the rest. Apart from the attractions that Rome offers all the year round there is the traditional Christmas Fair in Piazza Navona, and a skating rink on the Pincian Hill. In the evening there are Christmas concerts at many of the city’s churches, most of them free. At the heart of the season’s festivities are the religious ceremonies, Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and High Mass on Christmas Day followed by the special Papal Blessing “Urbi et Orbi”, to the city and the world. This blessing is only given at Christmas and Easter and as usual thousands of Romans and visitors to Rome will fill St Peter’s Square to receive it from the Pope. On Boxing Day we journey to Greccio, to the village which held a dear place in St Francis’ affections, and where he said that he had seldom seen such great faith. People still flock here to see the Saint’s legacy in the grand exhibition of cribs, large and small, and weather permitting, the live tableau in the woods reliving how that first nativity scene on Christmas Eve 1223 came about. We spend the night near to Greccio, so that we can make sure of seeing the tableau if weather conditions allow it to be performed.

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE - WEDNESDAY 22ND DECEMBER

London and other Cities to Rome

Scheduled flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, Bristol or East Midlands Airports. On arrival at Rome Airport transfer by coach to our hotel, situated near to St Peter’s Basilica. Before dinner in a local restaurant we walk to St Peter’s Square to see the Christmas tree and the crib.

DAY TWO - THURSDAY 23RD DECEMBER

A Foretaste of Christmas

Our first visit this morning is to the Church of Ss. Cosmos and Damian, where there is a magnificent crib, and ending up at the Church of Ara Coeli, next to the Campidoglio where we see the Santo Bambino (Holy Child), which is placed in a special crib. After a light lunch in a local restaurant, we visit the famous Christmas market in the Piazza Navona. Dinner will be in a local restaurant.

DAY THREE - FRIDAY 24TH DECEMBER

Christmas Eve

This morning we drive to the Piazza del Popolo, to visit the exhibition of cribs at the Church of S. Maria del Popolo. Walk up to the Pincio Gardens to get the wonderful view of Rome, see the ice rink and the hot-air balloon (if you want a ride in it, this will cost you extra). A light lunch is included today in a local restaurant near to the Piazza del Popolo, and the afternoon will be at leisure for you to wander down Via del Corso and see the shops, or go down Via del Babuino to the Spanish Steps. Dinner will be in a local restaurant. Arrangements have been made to attend Midnight Mass at St Peter’s (Internal seats are not guaranteed, and you may be seated in St Peter’s Square).

DAY FOUR - SATURDAY 25TH DECEMBER

Christmas Day

Those who wish may attend Mass of Christmas Day at St Peter’s at which the Holy Father will preside. Afterwards we drive for a festive Christmas lunch at L’Eau Vive restaurant, run by an order of Belgian Missionary Sisters, who will serenade us with Christmas carols. To work off our lunch, we will take a gentle stroll back across the Tiber to our hotel. Dinner will be at choice.

DAY FIVE - SUNDAY 26TH DECEMBER

Rome - Greccio

In the morning we attend Mass in the Basilica of St Mary Major. Afterwards we leave by coach for the Rieti or ‘holy’ Valley, where St Francis established several communities in his lifetime and where he spent much of the last two years of his life. We have lunch at our hotel in Greccio before driving to the Sanctuary, where on Christmas Eve 1223, St Francis wanted to celebrate the feast as vividly as possible, bringing home to everyone the circumstances of Christ’s birth. And so, he had enacted the first Nativity tableau and during this scene a nobleman follower saw Christ as a baby in a manger. Weather permitting we attend the live tableau in the woods followed by dinner. Overnight in Greccio.

DAY SIX - MONDAY 27TH DECEMBER

Greccio - Rome - UK

After breakfast we return to the Sanctuary of Greccio where, apart from the cave of the crib, we can visit the kitchen, refectory, chapel and dormitory that were built for and used by St Francis and his followers. The modern church houses a collection of cribs of all kinds. Afterwards we have lunch in the village of Greccio before we transfer to Rome Airport for the return flight to the UK.

Travel Dates and Cost:

22nd December 2010 - 27th December 2010
Six days
£799

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Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £120 per person on booking (plus the insurance premium if the cover we offer is required). Final payment due two months before the departure date. This price is guaranteed until three months before the departure date, after this time there may be a surcharge.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

Return scheduled flights: London – Rome. UK and Italy departure taxes. Five nights accommodation in twin or double bedded rooms with private facilities: Four nights in Rome and 1 night in Greccio. Return coach transfers from airport, and an air-conditioned coach for touring. Pax Travel tour escort to accompany the group in Italy. Meal plan: 5 Continental breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners. Small group – This will be limited to 26 participants. THIS PRICE IS GUARANTEED UNTIL THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE DEPARTURE DATE, AFTER THIS TIME THERE MAY BE A FLIGHT SURCHARGE. 

EXTRAS:

Travel insurance, for those not insured elsewhere, at £28.50. Single room supplement of £90 for the five nights (Limited availability of single rooms). Lunches, drinks and souvenirs. Flight supplements (quoted on request) from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Belfast.

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Ecumenical

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