Does anyone have any good ideas for a week or two in Europe, the week before Christmas, maybe including Christmas if the price is right. I am going home (UK from New Mexico)and want to take my kids (27, 20, 18) somewhere interesting, plus maybe my Dad and Aunt. The weather is pretty changeable I think anywhere in the South of France, so I am thinking near an interesting city. (We went to Paris one Christmas). I have looked at some of the lovely gites on gite.com and think that would be nice and restful, but if the weather is awful we will want some interesting places to visit. I have only travelled mainly in the Spring and summer, so winter is a mystery to me. Any suggestions would be gratefully received!!
Posts: 5 | Location: Santa Fe | Registered: 15 August 2006
My son and I went to Rome for the week before Christmas through Christmas a few years ago. It was fun, the weather was fairly mild, the Christmas markets were great, we went to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's (need tickets for that).
If you want great and sunny weather, beautiful beach nearby as well as lovely mountains and countryside...why not a white village in southern Spain.
We had such a great Christmas there last year, that we will return again next year.
Ours was also close to Granada and Malaga for interesting sights to see when not relaxing or enjoying village life.There is even the possibility of skiing in the morning and swimming in the afternoon if you are very ambitious.
Lots of beautiful villas available at that time of year but I would go for one inside the village.
Two of our trips took us to Salzburg, Austria for Christmas itself. Both times we flew into Munich a week or so before Christmas, which is a good place to enjoy several days at that time of year. We love the village of Oberammergau, about an hour from Munich in the Bavarian Alps. This would be another area to enjoy for several days. Salzburg itself is a fabulous Christmas destination. Munich and Salzburg both have Christmas markets. You can see some photos of our 2003 Christmas trip here.
In 2004 we were living in Provence at Christmas, and traveled up to Paris for the week between Christmas and New Years. There is a lot to do in Paris at any time of year, including many indoor activities if the weather isn't great. For the same reasons, I think London would also be a great destination for a December trip.
My husband and I were actually talking about the possibility of another Christmas trip to Europe this year or next. We do find ourselves drawn to Bavaria and Salzburg...
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