India, Nov. 12 -- Ethereal echoes of carols sung by the church choir follow you around as you explore Vatican City, a country within a country and the spiritual heart of the Catholic world. Being in the revered city on Christmas was no accident; I had planned to celebrate the day here, attend the famed Midnight Mass, roam the halls, take in the art, and watch the Pope address the crowds (spoiler alert: I couldn't manage to do a few of those things). If you are planning to pay a visit to the smallest sovereign state in the world this Christmas, read on to know exactly what to expect when spending Christmas in Vatican City, aka the Holy See.

Need itinerary inspiration? Check out our story on some of the must-visit places in Vatican City. ...