Where was Hallmark’s Christmas in Rome filmed? Discover Rome’s iconic landmarks, Bucharest filming locations, and the secrets behind the festive romance.
What could be more romantic than Christmas in Rome?
How about falling in love while being shown around the Eternal City by a charming local tour guide, discovering Italian coffee traditions, and negotiating a business deal involving some rather desirable ceramics?
That’s the premise of the 2019 Hallmark Christmas movie starring Lacey Chabert and Sam Page. Chabert plays Angela, an independent-minded American tour guide who loses her job just before Christmas.
Her luck changes when she meets Oliver (Page), a high-powered New York executive who has travelled to Italy to acquire a prestigious ceramics company. The company’s owner, Luigi Forlinghetti (Italian cinema legend Franco Nero), refuses to sell until Oliver understands the heart and soul of Italy.
Oliver hires Angela to show him around Rome, expecting a few sightseeing stops to help close the deal. Instead, he gets an introduction to Italian culture, Christmas traditions, and a rather unexpected romance. Meanwhile, Angela begins considering a new future of her own.
Although the movie is called Christmas in Rome, not all the filming happened in Italy. The production also travelled to Bucharest, Romania, which doubled as the Italian setting.
Apparently, even Hallmark’s Christmas magic has a production budget.
Table of Contents
🎄 Christmas in Rome Filming Locations
The movie takes viewers from famous Roman landmarks to Romanian streets and production facilities, with a little geographical sleight of hand along the way.
Rome supplied the recognisable landmarks, while Bucharest hosted a substantial portion of the production.
🏛️ Rome, Italy
Rome gets the cinematic close-up, and quite rightly so. Its ancient monuments, spectacular fountains, grand staircases, and Christmas decorations provide the real Italian scenery that makes the film so appealing.
Angela takes Oliver on a personalised introduction to the city, with the famous landmarks supplying some of the most memorable sightseeing footage.
The Trevi Fountain gets the romantic treatment, complete with the legendary coin-tossing tradition, while the Colosseum and Spanish Steps remind viewers why Rome has been stealing the show for centuries.
The final Christmas sequence takes Angela and Oliver to St. Peter’s Square for a carol concert, where the romantic storyline reaches its festive conclusion.
There are Vespas, a choir, a Christmas reunion, and a rather convenient GPS tracker. Hallmark clearly wasn’t going to let a little Christmas traffic ruin the happy ending.
What was filmed here:
- Trevi Fountain, Rome: Angela & Oliver toss three coins.
- Colosseum, Rome: Roman sightseeing scenes.
- Spanish Steps, Rome: Christmas lights frame the famous staircase.
- Peter’s Square, Vatican City: Christmas carols & romantic reunion.
What to see & do at Christmas in Rome:
- Pantheon, Rome: Magnificent ancient domed temple.
- Piazza Navona, Rome: Baroque fountains & Christmas stalls.
- Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome: Landscaped gardens & galleries.
- Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome: Historic papal fortress and museum.
- Christmas Markets Tour: Christmas lights & decorations.
- Papal Audience, Vatican City: Meet the Pope at the Vatican.
- Christmas Mass, Vatican City: Attend Christmas Mass at the Vatican.
- Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City: Michelangelo’s dome & interiors.
- Vatican Museums, Vatican City: Sistine Chapel & art.
- Vatican Gardens, Vatican City: Landscaped historic papal gardens.
Christmas in Rome travel tips:
- Christmas in Rome brings festive lights, nativity scenes, & markets.
- Book guided tours & tickets in advance.
- Weather: Daytime highs of 13°C; nights around 4°C.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes & pack a warm coat.
🏰 Bucharest, Romania
A substantial portion of Christmas in Rome was filmed in Bucharest, Romania. The Romanian capital’s elegant architecture, historic streets, and established film-production infrastructure made it a practical stand-in for Rome.
What was filmed here:
- Bucharest, Romania: Rome-set scenes filmed in Romania.
What to see & do in Bucharest:
- Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest: Historic government building.
- Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest: Ornate concert hall.
- Lipscani Old Town, Bucharest: Historic lanes, cafés, and squares.
- Bucharest Christmas Markets: Seasonal foods & handicrafts.
🎅 Christmas in Rome FAQs
From filming locations and cast details to behind-the-scenes trivia, here are the answers to your questions about Hallmark’s Christmas in Rome.
Is Christmas in Rome based on a book?
No, the Christmas in Rome movie is an original Hallmark screenplay by Gregg Rossen, Brian Sawyer, and Alex Wright.
Who directed Christmas in Rome, and when was it released?
The 86-minute Hallmark movie was directed by Ernie Barbarash. It premiered on November 30, 2019, as part of Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas.
What’s the three-coin tradition at the Trevi Fountain?
The famous tradition says that tossing one coin promises a return to Rome, two coins bring romance, and three coins lead to marriage. It’s a particularly convenient tradition for a Christmas romance!
What is caffè sospeso, and is it really a Roman Christmas tradition?
Caffè sospeso means suspended coffee: paying for an extra coffee so someone less fortunate can enjoy it later. The tradition originated in Naples, not Rome, despite the movie associating it with Roman culture.
Did Lacey Chabert and Sam Page work together before?
Both actors appeared on All My Children as children of Erica Kane, although in different years. Chabert appeared in the early 1990s, while Page joined the show in the early 2000s.
What song plays during the opening credits of Christmas in Rome?
Nat King Cole’s Buon Natale (Means Merry Christmas to You) plays during the opening credits making it a suitably Italian-themed introduction to the festivities.
Are there any filming mistakes in Christmas in Rome?
Yes! Christmas in Rome has some continuity errors like the changing outdoor conditions, lush greenery, and birdsong – suspiciously summery for a December setting.
What is the weather like in Rome at Christmas?
Rome typically experiences daytime temperatures around 13°C and nighttime temperatures around 4°C in December. Expect crisp evenings, occasional rain, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the festive lights.
Does Christmas in Rome reference another famous Italian movie?
Yes. The movie has a reported connection to Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), another romantic film associated with Rome’s Trevi Fountain.
Who’s in the Christmas in Rome cast?
- Lacey Chabert: Angela De Luca
- Sam Page: Oliver Martin
- Franco Nero: Luigi Forlinghetti
- Holly Hayes: Margaret Fletcher
- Bryan Bounds: Jack Fletcher
- Fernanda Diniz: Francesca Gianella
- Petar Cvirn: Pietro Gianella
- Natasha Estelle Williams: Estelle Burns
- Francesca De Martini: Sofia Forlinghetti
- Simone Spinazze: Tomasso Toffino
- Dragos Olaru: Luca
- Cleo Demetriou: Betty
- Clara Ciobanu: Monica Gianella
- Nathan Clough: Joey Princer
What are some movies like Christmas in Rome?
If you enjoy romantic Christmas movies, European settings, and stories that make you want to book a holiday, try these:
- Roman Holiday (1953): A princess escapes protocol with a reporter.
- Three Coins in the Fountain (1954): Three women seek love in Rome.
- Letters to Juliet (2010): An Italian letter sparks romance.
- When in Rome (2010): A wish sparks romantic chaos.
- Christmas at the Plaza (2019): Holiday romance at a historic hotel.
- Rome in Love (2019): Romance blooms among Rome’s landmarks.
- Christmas in Vienna (2020): A violinist discovers holiday romance.
📺 Where to Watch Christmas in Rome
Looking to enjoy this festive Hallmark romance? Here’s where to look for the 2019 movie.
Christmas in Rome proves that sometimes the best Christmas present isn’t under the tree: it’s a Roman holiday, three coins in a fountain, and someone worth missing your flight home for!
Disclaimer: This fan-created article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy of its information or recommend relying on it for important decisions. All referenced titles, names, and intellectual property belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
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