CHRISTMAS is undoubtedly the holiest one in Italy. Why? Because it simply is host to the world’s headquarters of Catholicism which is the Vatican City. Speaking of the Vatican City, Italy holds a number of world records because of its places. Vatican City is the only state in the world located within another country. Venice is the only pedestrian city in the world and the only city in the world sitting on a lagoon. Vatican City is likewise called the smallest state in the world. And it is where Pope Benedict XVI reigns and presides the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Many thousands of people witness the Mass – not only Vatican City citizens and Italians but also Roman Catholic delegates from around the world – from Australia to New Zealand, from Greenland to the Palestine area.

These people ultimately house themselves not just in Rome’s five-star hotels and motels but also in the various vacation homes around the area. And as elsewhere in the world, Roman children love to have Christmas caroling at this part of the year. They usually troop to vacation homes because they know foreign Catholics can be more generous than their counterparts because foreigners only live once here during Christmastime. So when you encounter these carolers, have a heart and be generous too. After all, Christmas is for children because we’re celebrating the birth anniversary of the Messiah in the first place.

But not all residents in Italy are Catholics. Thus we also have Jewish communities spread around Italy. And just like their Catholic counterparts, they also have a celebration in the middle of winter – the Hanukah celebration. During these celebrations in the coldness of winter here in Italy, you can encounter such original Jewish delicacies as smoked ham, kebab, shawarma and Hanukah doughnuts. They even feature unleavened bread in accordance with strict Jewish traditions. Speaking of winter, one can be very cold here in Italy. That’s why you need to don yourself with layers and layers of clothing during Christmastime if you don’t want to die of frostbite. Temperatures here can be down at -5 degrees Celsius.

It’s warmer at the Mediterranean areas though at the eastern side of the country. There will be few snowfalls there and you can greet the simple local fishermen every time they unload their daily catch. Who knows, you can even buy a single grouper at 70 percent off the amount you need to pay when it goes to a local market. As long as the vacation home you’ve rented has a grill outside, you can grill all you want the variety of Mediterranean catch around you. Or if you don’t want grilling your seafood, you can always accompany it with a teaspoon or two of olive oil and fry it. Olive oil is after all said to be the healthiest cooking oil in the world because of its relatively low fat content.

Then again, if you are bored with the Mediterranean areas, you can always go back to the city and rent a day or two at a cheap but functional and elegant motel. You don’t need to have a reservation as motels here especially in Rome come in abundance. But with the five-star ones, they are usually booked the whole year round so you need to reserve on a month’s notice.