Christmas in Rome

Christmas was first celebrated on December 25th in Rome

in the year 336 under the first Christian emperor,

Emperor Constantine, marking the winter solstice

and at the Festival of Saturnalia,

the Romans feasted and gave gifts to the poor.

Okay, now this way, you will see the Via De Condotti.

It's an ancient Roman thoroughfare

that was rebuilt in 1544 and is now

one of the most fashionable streets in all of Italy.

It's a great place

if you have any last minute Christmas shopping to do.

Now, this isn't a part of our official tour,

but how about some treats?

I hope you guys enjoy this, I love this place.

Ciao! Ciao, merry Christmas, Angela.

Buon Natale.

For your clients.

Grazie. Luca's offering free samples.

Try it, they're delicious.

Luca and his family started the bakery here,

in this location, 400 years ago.

And they're still going strong.

One of their specialties is the Christmas bigne ball tree.

Bigne balls?

Chocolate and cream filled pastries.

Typically eaten on St. Joseph's day in March

but every year, one week before Christmas,

Luca makes these amazing trees.

Are they gluten free, because I'm allergic?

I'll find out.

I checked, I swear.

He told me they were gluten free.

Angela, 200 Euros for the allergy shot.

Right, sorry.

But she turned out okay.

She loved the tour

and we were able to share the living history of Rome.

Angela, this is the third time

I've had to talk to you this month.

That can't be right.

Well, didn't you sneak a tour into the Da Vinci Museum

after hours?

Yes, yeah, I did do that.

It was the see the ceiling mural, it's beautiful.

The group loved it.

And the gladiator's sword you lost

at the Colosseum?

Okay, I only borrowed that sword to show

those adorable English kids.

They were so cute at the time.

How was I supposed to know they were gonna take it home?

Our travelers expect the basics, you know?

Tomasso, they deserve so much more.

I mean, our tour should be more than

just the seven selfies of Rome.

We should help people appreciate its beauty

and its lifestyle and its passion.

And I love your passion, truly,

but this is a business.

And your job is to stick to the script.

But...

But, that's one part of the job

you can't seem to remember, so I...

So, I made a decision.

And I have to let you go.

You, you're firing me?

Yeah.

At Christmas?

Mm, I love this time of year.

The season of joy, season of giving.

It may be the season of giving, Oliver,

but we're not handing out any early Christmas presents.

Okay, if you look at paragraph seven--

You know what?

Why don't we just forget about paragraph seven?

I'm sure you all have a ton of Christmas shopping to do

so, I'm just gonna write a number.

Hey, Carmen.

Hi, Oliver.

You wanted to see me?

I hear Christmas came early this year, Oliver.

Congratulations on closing the deal.

Nobody else likes to work during the holidays.

That's why it's my favorite time of the year.

Well, speaking of which,

have you heard of Forlinghetti Ceramics?

Sure, high end Italian company, expensive.

They make everything from plates to cups

to Christmas ornaments.

My friends Margaret and Jack Fletcher,

- you remember them? - Of course.

Well, they're visiting Luigi Forlinghetti

in Rome for the holidays.

Margaret's heard a littler rumor.

Luigi is looking to retire.

Are the Fletchers looking to acquire his company?

They could, but no.

They thought Forlinghetti Ceramics

would be a good fit for us.

Santa might put a promotion under your tree

if you can close this one.

I can hop on a plane to Rome tonight.

Are you sure?

Are spaghetti and meatballs Italian?

Actually I don't think the Italians

put meatballs on their spaghetti.

Yeah, of course they don't, I was testing you.

Excuse me, do you speak English, I'm looking for--

Exuse-a me.

Oh, ow, oh.

Sorry, sorry.

Watch where you're going.

Are you American?

Yes. And you should be careful.

You know, texting and walking is illegal in Italy.

You're kidding, right?

Yes, I'm kidding.

But you do have to be careful here.

I wouldn't want you to just walk out into the road

and get hit by a car

because your eyes are glued to your phone.

Why would you think that I would just walk into the road?

You just walked into me.

Actually I think you walked into me.

I don't think so.

I'm pretty sure you did.

You know what, in the spirit of Christmas,

I will give you the benefit of the doubt.

Have a wonderful day.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

I'm sorry.

I apologize.

And I know that I don't deserve your help.

In the spirit of Christmas,

I don't have time to check in before my meeting,

could you just tell me where Trattoria Rosselinni is.

Oh, it's a great restaurant.

Yes, go down here at the end of Panico,

you're gonna look for the piazza with the fountain, you make a left,

and the immediately make a right,

but if you...

You know what?

It's gonna take me longer to explain how to find it.

I'll just show you myself.

- Thank you. - Come on.

Thank you so much for this.

I'm Oliver, by the way.

Angela, nice to meet you.

So, are you here on business?

That's right.

- It's December 20th. - So?

So, it's only five days until Christmas.

Christmas is the best time to get things done.

Oh, no, not in Italy.

I hope you have time to at least see the city.

My schedule's pretty tight.

Rome is the most beautiful place on Earth,

especially at Christmas.

This way.

Wow, you really know your way around.

I live here, I'm a tour guide.

It's my sworn duty to help lost travelers.

Well, I appreciate it.

I hope I'm not gonna make you late for work.

Ah, no, I'm not working today.

Oh, is it your day off?

Um, not exactly.

I been sort of taking a little time off

and I'm actually thinking of starting my own company.

Nice. Are you sure we're going the right way

because my phone says we're supposed to be on that street back there.

Your phone can't help navigate Rome at Christmas.

You need local knowledge for that.

Local knowledge, okay.

Oh, look at that nativity scene.

Oh, Romans take great pride in their,

...nativity scenes.

I can see that.

Cool.

Yeah, that's carved entirely by hand.

Isn't that just incredible?

I appreciate the side tour

but I really cannot be late for this meeting.

You don't ever stop and smell the roses?

I don't think roses are in season this time of year.

Okay, we'll take a short cut.

This way.

Excuse.

And here we are, Trattoria Rosselinni.

Angela, you are a life saver.

I hear the restaurant's great so,

good luck with your meeting.

Oh, you know...

Let me give you something for your time.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

No, really, it's...

Think of it as an early Christmas present.

Well, that's very kind, but I insist.

Have you ever done business here before?

No, why?