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There is something special about Rome in the winter.
While the weather may be grey and dreary most of the time, the sun occasionally comes out and the sky radiates a blue brighter than the clearest summer day. The warm colors of the buildings seem to be enhanced, and the people even seem a little bit more cheerful as they walk somewhat more hastily, with runny noses and rosy cheeks. Small dogs proudly accompany their owners, wearing red knit Christmas sweaters. Toddlers and grandfathers alike bundle up in those oh-so-characteristically-Italian puffy coats. While the sun sets early, the cool cotton candy colors set a mood which cannot compare to the fiery skies from the summer sun. The brown tree branches alongside the river have died in a glorious series of arches that stretch as far as the eye can see, making a sort of tunnel effect for people who walk under them.
Best of all, it is still possible to sit outside and enjoy the lively atmosphere thanks to many restaurants’ outdoor space heaters, and sometimes even complementary blankets.
Winter in Rome is a magical place, filled with small shops selling handmade Christmas trinkets, and children running back and forth between the wooden stalls and the carousel at the Christmas market in Piazza Navona. The streets are silent, and it is as if the whole city has bundled up inside to stay warm. The only noises heard are the occasional screeching of tracks from the tram as it passes over Ponte Garibaldi or the church bells which chime from every which direction each hour. Apartments, on the other hand, are a different story. Most complexes are older than the United States as a country, meaning those damp and rainy days tend to creep inside. In this case, the only solution is to curl up with a blanket and greet the dampness with a bowl of warm tomato based gnocchi - the ultimate comfort food - and a cup of rich Italian hot chocolate… or red wine. Perhaps winter is the best time to visit Rome, the real Rome. Where street vendors are too cold to even bother you, where waiters don’t automatically speak English to you, and where you can truly catch a glimpse of this magical city all to yourself.
79 Comments
1/22/2017 01:43:36 am
I love the thought of Winter in Rome. Less crowds, no heat and the perfect excuse for a hearty pasta!
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1/22/2017 08:17:09 pm
Thank you Melanie! Rome in October is very nice as well. It's not nearly as hot or crowded as August and the produce in the fall is by far my favorite. Make sure to try pumpkin ravioli, soup, or persimmons!
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1/22/2017 08:18:11 pm
Thank you Leslie! I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's sort of a mix between a feature story and poetry, I think. You should definitely make a visit :)
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1/22/2017 08:19:00 pm
Thanks for reading Alexis :) I'm glad you were able to see the visuals!
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1/23/2017 09:07:49 pm
Thank you for reading Joyce!
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1/23/2017 09:14:37 pm
Thank you Emily! It's definitely worth a visit :) Cute fashion blog, by the way.
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1/23/2017 08:48:19 pm
Rome sounds so wonderful in the winter--might have to swap it with some other destinations!
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1/23/2017 09:21:30 pm
Thank you for reading, Angela!
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1/24/2017 11:25:53 pm
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the photos Clarissa :) I'd love some gnocchi as well...
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1/24/2017 11:27:44 pm
All four seasons are really present. It's so different for me, being from Florida. Each one comes with it's own gifts. Thanks for reading!
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Brooke Armendinger
1/23/2017 11:05:59 pm
Thank you for such a beautifully written post! I could actually picture myself there with you!
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1/24/2017 11:28:31 pm
Thank you for the kind words, Brooke. You should totally come visit!!
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1/24/2017 12:21:37 am
Sounds like a great place to visit! Agree Italians make the best comfort food.
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1/24/2017 11:33:12 pm
Italians sure have a way with food ;) Thank you for reading, Andrea
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1/24/2017 11:38:16 pm
Each season has it's own definition of beauty. Rome is a place that I could return to over and over again and always discover more.
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1/24/2017 04:13:59 am
This seems so peaceful and like the perfect vacation for the winter.
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1/24/2017 11:39:12 pm
It certainly is peaceful for such a big city. Thanks for the comment :)
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1/24/2017 11:40:09 pm
Thank you, Veronica. It's a great place to visit!
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1/24/2017 06:43:06 am
Really interesting! Sometimes I love visiting a place "out of season" to see what it's really like without all the tourist focus. Awesome to know we can do the same in somewhere as great as Rome.
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1/24/2017 11:34:54 pm
Thanks for reading Bruce. Rome is never completely free from tourists, but the months from December - February are probably the most empty.
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1/24/2017 11:29:50 pm
My Italian friend says that Rome is a city which everyone misses once they leave. Thanks for your comment, Desiree :)
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1/24/2017 11:26:55 pm
It's so true. You really have the entire city to yourself. I'm so glad you returned to Rome after the first time in the summer!
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Aisha
1/25/2017 01:41:06 am
I really loved this post (especially the pics!) because I'm actually contemplating ringing in 2018 in Rome...I'm not usually a winter girl but I want to try it on for size next year. We'll see how it goes :)
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1/25/2017 08:31:49 pm
Wow! That would be super cool. I know they shoot off a ton of fireworks over the Colosseum! I'm not a winter girl either (from Florida, here), but Rome isn't unbearable. Best wishes!
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1/25/2017 08:32:31 pm
It certainly is beautiful! Thank you for reading my blog, Saidat.
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1/25/2017 08:30:10 pm
It must have been scorching hot!! Thanks for reading my blog Monika :)
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2/2/2017 03:34:24 pm
Hey Brianna! Thanks for reading. Rome typically stays above freezing. Although, it dropped down to about 30 degrees, and gave the fountains just enough time to freeze over before warming up again. Right now, it's in the 50's.
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Christina
1/25/2017 08:49:11 pm
I have been to Rome some years ago in the summer time and it was awful. Waiters everywhere trying to persuade me to take a break at their restaurant/cafe, too many foreigners of various nationalities in big crowds walking with their guide in front and the city was just too crowded and noisy.
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1/26/2017 01:47:09 am
What beautiful photos! I would love to see Rome in winter :) Also really enjoyed your descriptions.
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Amber
1/26/2017 03:43:51 am
So ccol! I need to go back.
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1/26/2017 03:56:51 am
Winter in Rome sounds so much better than a madhouse of tourists. Not sure when I'll be heading that way, but if I do, I'll think about vising in a cooler season.
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Rome, the eternal city! I don't like it particularly, mainly because or the Romans. The city would be much better without them, but it's true that in winter Rome is better. I went there several times to see some friends or attend some concerts, and during the low season it's more enjoyable, maintaining its immortal charm. True, the water is not so good as in summer, but it's also difficult to have very low temperature, so in a way or in another, going outside is still pleasant.
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I shun the idea of travelling during winter because of the cold. But I learned to conquer this fear when my family had a holiday in Canada last month. Also, the fares are cheaper and there's less tourists during winter. Who knows, we might find ourselves in Rome in a couple of weeks.
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1/27/2017 02:47:37 pm
Hmmm, Rome in winter... Not a bad idea! We took a two-week road trip through Italy last fall and completely bypassed Rome. Some friends had just been there and hearing their stories about the long lines and crowds at every attraction totally turned us off. We'll definitely consider it though for a long weekend trip this winter!
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2/9/2017 02:07:11 pm
That is understandable! Where in Italy did you go?
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2/9/2017 02:08:46 pm
Yes, I understand! It's so much easier to take photos around the city when there aren't a billion people standing in your way!
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1/29/2017 03:18:41 pm
Wow, we had not thought of visiting Rome in winter. This is such a brilliant idea. The sky looks amazing. Do you get a lot of sunny days in winter? The picture of the canal with the blue sky is stunning.
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1/30/2017 02:19:05 am
I totally agree with you! Been there both in summer and winter and there is a nice feeling about the Roman winter... and guys ;)
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2/9/2017 02:20:57 pm
Hahahaha this comment truly made me laugh out loud!
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My only two trips to Rome have been late November and early March. Not the dead of winter, but not summer time either. Coming from the northeastern United States, I didn't mind the weather there at all. It was a welcome reprieve from Pennsylvania. "Winter" is a Rolling Stones song!
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1/30/2017 07:28:38 pm
You make going to Rome in the winter sounds great. When we went in the summer it was overcrowded. There were street vendors everywhere trying to sell selfie sticks. It was also hot as hell and we ended up relaxing under some trees for a large portion of our time there. We don't regret it though, it was still amazing to see.
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I have visited Rome twice in winter, I have even spent a Christmas there. I remember how different it was from summer Rome, where you can't even breath from the amount of people on the streets. I have been to Rome so many times that I lost count. I've even seen the Pope. :)
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1/31/2017 03:44:50 pm
Oh, curl up with tomato based gnocchi and red wine. Yes please. I absolutely love everything about Italy and am so glad it's our neighbor to the south. I can't think of enough excuses to get to Italy. And with the new train from Zurich, we get there even faster.
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2/9/2017 03:18:16 pm
That's awesome!! I am going to look into that train! Switzerland is on my bucket list for 2017.
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1/31/2017 07:49:50 pm
I haven't been to Rome . But you have given me some great reasons to be in Rome in winter. Probably I should think about this soon. Photos are quite inviting and I must tell u that.
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2/1/2017 07:24:31 pm
Though winter already gone in my country, I don't know how about rome. If it continues I've a target to visit there.
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2/1/2017 08:34:42 pm
I was NOT a fan of Rome when I went. Probably because I was forced to go during the summer (had a wedding in Bolzano) I love going places on the off season so I will have to go back when there are far less people! I hate when those street vendors annoy you!
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2/9/2017 02:06:04 pm
Yes, the street vendors can be rather aggressive sometimes. It helps me to remember that they are refugees and usually good people (even if they're annoying). Most of them have incredible stories. Family and kids back home. And they're making next to nothing just to try to support their loved ones.
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2/9/2017 05:19:25 pm
Such a poetic way to describe such a beautiful place! I have always wanted to see Rome - now I want to see it even more.
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2/17/2017 07:04:13 pm
As Italian I totally agree with you, Rome is so beautiful in winter, less crowded than summer and absolutely enchanting. Even I totally prefer spring, weather is good and the city looks more liveable. I went many time to Rome (I'm from Sardinia) and everytime I discover something new, "the eternal city" as we use to say...that's totally true.
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Ali Rost
2/28/2017 02:28:54 am
What beautiful photos! A couple of years ago my husband and I were in Rome and reading your post brought back such great memories! Thanks for making me smile
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Tereza
3/13/2017 08:54:33 am
Winter in Italy must be wonderful, I imagine it's similar to what it is in Greece but perhaps not as wet and gloomy! x
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3/14/2017 08:25:03 am
Oh winter in rome just sounds so lovely even with im sure some drawbacks. I'd be more than happy to curl up with a blanket with a glass of hot coco.
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ABOUT MEHi, I'm Cassidy and this is my travel journal, aimed to inspire you to go and see our beautiful world! Featured Post: |