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[QUOTE=Marinaw]Can anyone confirm that this year most shops will be open normal times on Xmas eve, close Xmas day and reopen on 26/12 even though Xmas falls on a Sunday?
Supermarkets in particular - I need to get food on 24/12 in the afternoon for 7 people for 2/3 days!

I'm assuming that with all the bird flu alarm going on I wont be allowed to put a turkey in my hand luggage..

Do ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs have a particular meal they eat on 25/12?

M[/QUOTE]
No publicity around yet for Christmas openings that we have seen.
Fear they might close early Christmas Eve and not be open on the Monday. In Lazio for instance around here some of the supermarkets and other shops are closed Monday am anyway! Think your best bet is look at the supermarkets that you normally use websites for further info Hope this helps!

We tend not to travel so close to the period as it's not guaranteed that shops are open; we know which of the services on the Autostrada are open, but these ar eonly good for milk, water etc...

If you are having guests and want to do "the shop" I'd suggest you might need to travel earlier ;)

[QUOTE=tuscanhills]We tend not to travel so close to the period as it's not guaranteed that shops are open; we know which of the services on the Autostrada are open, but these ar eonly good for milk, water etc...

If you are having guests and want to do "the shop" I'd suggest you might need to travel earlier ;)[/QUOTE]

Our sentiments exactly, did not dare say so though as think these are the same brave people that are descending on IKEA on Christmas Eve!

I wish I could travel earlier. Most of our party don't finish work until 23rd Dec. We land at 1030 am so hopefully will find somewhere near Ciampino airport - I've never flown in there before.
Otherwise better pack some cup o soups! Eeek.

M

Yes we intend sending half the party off foraging for nuts and berries at a supermarket while the others hit Ikea with a military style plan.

I know we are probably certifiable but we are very time poor!

I hope you'll think of us cup o soup in hand on xmas day, leccy drill in the other..

M

I would not rely upon food shops being open after lunch on Sat 24, some of the bigger supermarkets maybe, but would probably close earlier than normal. You would definitely be better off doing your food shopping in the Rome area rather then leaving it until you get to Le Marche. As for the Mon, many shops are shut Mon am anyway but the 26th is still a Public Holiday here and more rigorously observed than in the UK so again everthing will probably remain shut. If I were you I would insist upon each of your guests bringing some essential food item with them, I agree poultry is out, but most other things would be okay. In case you were looking for the traditional UK type things, I have never seen parsnips here and sprouts are a rarity, they can sometimes be found but often are cling wrapped and a bit yellow aound the edges. Cranberry sauce is also a rarity, but isn't there something similar in IKEA in their food section? You could always go for a Sweedish style meal if all else fails!!!
Good luck
Anne2

[QUOTE=Marinaw]Yes we intend sending half the party off foraging for nuts and berries at a supermarket while the others hit Ikea with a military style plan.

I know we are probably certifiable but we are very time poor!

I hope you'll think of us cup o soup in hand on xmas day, leccy drill in the other..

M[/QUOTE]

Can't you get seasonal Pot Noodles too ???? or, you could always try to find some forum member who lived close to you and PM them, begging them to save you from starvation, by maybe shopping through the week before Christmas for you. Mind you, it's difficult to find such people these days ;) :)

George I know just what you mean and will prob end up begging favours from mutual chums but they do so much for me anyway that I don't like to ask for more! Was trying to sort ourselves out for once.

Mmmm rehydrated turkey pot noodles, I don't think so...

M

Anne thats a brilliant idea - if all else fails we can feast on Gravlax, meatballs and dime bars!

Better than a pot noodle at least.

Absolutely take your point re shopping near Rome - its hotfoot from the airport to a supermarket for 1/2 the party. Has anyone here spotted a big store near Ciampino airport?

M

Does the fact that you and your guests are 'hitting' Ikea as well as the supermarket on Xmas Eve mean that as well as no food you've got no furniture either?

Marinaw - you're a brave, brave woman and I take my hat off to you :-)

Respectfully, SueP

Lol! No we are replacing some very tired chests of drawers, wardrobes and tables but everything is still there until new stuff is installed.
We persuaded 5 burly chums to come with us to help but they're not that daft - all home comforts are in place!

M

[QUOTE=Marinaw] if all else fails we can feast on Gravlax, meatballs and dime bars!

M[/QUOTE]

Oooh yes, dime bars, I had forgotten all about them! I used to have a recipe for a yummy ice cream come meringue type pud that needed dime bars, will have to look it out and demand that our next visitors bring some with them!

[QUOTE=Marinaw]Lol! No we are replacing some very tired chests of drawers, wardrobes and tables but everything is still there until new stuff is installed.
We persuaded 5 burly chums to come with us to help but they're not that daft - all home comforts are in place!

M[/QUOTE]

Releaved to hear that. Had visions of you on Xmas Morning trying to put flat pack furniture together in time for a seasonal Pot Noodle around your new dining table :eek:

Let me know how it goes :)

I will no doubt have stories to tell which will be most amusing some time next easter after we've recovered. Of course I'll let you know how it goes..

George, er, um, don't suppose you'll be doing any shopping anywhere near us round that time? No, no I couldn't possibly ask... ;-)

M

Just done a quick google and came up with this that may help!

[url="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2F%2F%2Fwww.comune.ciampino.roma.it&langpair=it%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools"]http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2F%2F%2Fwww.comune.ciampino.roma.it&langpair=it%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools[/url]

Then select the Spendo link at the bottom of the page under the JCB digger :) - should automatically try to translate to english!:confused:

[QUOTE=Marinaw]I will no doubt have stories to tell which will be most amusing some time next easter after we've recovered. Of course I'll let you know how it goes..

George, er, um, don't suppose you'll be doing any shopping anywhere near us round that time? No, no I couldn't possibly ask...

M[/QUOTE]

Naaah, No Chance M. Puppies to wrap... ;) ;) ;)

Thanks Dave J, would appear to be lots of shops there. I'm just hoping for a big supermarket to come in view as we leave the airport like there is at Pescara!

A quiet knight in shining armour has possibly come to my rescue too. Theres some very kind people around ;-)

M

There is a Cityper supermarket just next to Ikea in Rome. Its the Anagnina branch at exit 21 on the G.R.A. If you try [url]www.cityper.it[/url] I think it gives the opening times, but you might have to check later for Xmas times.

Graham

There is a supermarket if you turn left out of Ciampino airport and head for Albano (up the Appia Nuova) If the traffic is light it will take you 10 minutes but if everyone is heading for the hills it could take half an hour so I will try to find out the opening hours(Hubbie going there next weekend) and you will have to turn round as it's a dual carriageway. Failing that Ciampino town has most of the shops you would need but whether they will be open and whether you have the time?....

Many thanks - the one beside Ikea sounds perfect but if your husband could ask about 24/12 opening times for the other one that would be fantastic to know too.

M

Aren't there any online delivery services in the area?
There seem to be some good ones offering all sorts of food inc cheeses, jam,wild boar and wine that will send to UK so there must be some that will deliver in Italy!!

good luck
Becky

Not that I'm aware of - sadly (or perhaps just as well) Ocodo don't seem to exist in deepest Marche and I'm very happy that Tesco do not seem to have stuck their nose into Italy yet..

M

Hi,
Has anyone got an update on the opening times at Christmas. I have just checked the Auchan web site and they do not appear to make any mention of Xmas opening times. Although it does mention the Auchan in Ancona is open on Sundays at the moment. Thanks.