National Holidays?

[MHF]

I just figured out that we disembark on a National Holiday, May 1, in Civatavecchia (sp?). I had planned to reserve a car to take us into Rome and this seems to be even more important now. (Can't make DH walk to train/stand too much) So question from an American point of view...Is this Holiday like Thanksgiving/Christmas when everything is closed or like Columbus Day when only the banks and courts are closed?

 

Trying to decide if we can do any touring that day, like stopping at some of the sites that may be too far for us to walk later or some small towns on the way in. Churches open?

 

Thanks, Melissa

[euro cruiser]

May 1st is Labor Day throughout Europe. It's a pretty big day but not everything will be closed.

[cruisemom42]

Yes, almost all museums and sites will be closed, but a few things will be open, including many churches. I believe Saint Peter's basilica is open, but not the Vatican museum. San Clemente is a wonderful church to visit, near the Colosseum.

 

There are many sites one can see that require no entrance: Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Largo Argentina, the area around the old Forum Boarium (the "Mouth of Truth"), the two wonderful Roman temples there, etc.), Piazza del Popolo, Trastevere...

 

However, Rome tends to be packed with people on this day as well -- teeming sidewalks.

[euro cruiser]

Streets will be closed off for parades too, which messes with the buses.