Europe at Christmas time

[rikki]

We are planning a trip to France for Christmas.  I'd like to go to one other city.  Any suggestions about where might be nice around the holidays?  I do not want to go to London (used to go there all the time for work) or Italy.  Anywhere else is pretty much on the table.  We will have our newborn baby with us, so that is a consideration.  Thanks.

[alleinesein]

Have you considered Germany? The Christmas markets are amazing.

[rikki]

Aug 22, 2013 17:39:53 GMT -5 alleinesein said:

Have you considered Germany? The Christmas markets are amazing.

That was DH's suggestion/idea. Where in Germany do you think would be the best city or 2 cities to visit?  Thanks

[alleinesein]

I think it depends on what you want to do in Germany.
I've been to Dresden, Erfurt, Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Koln, Bremen, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Berlin, Mannheim, Munich and Nurnberg.

I adored Dresden, Erfurt and Bremen and hated Munich. Dresden is beautiful and has a ton of museums to explore. Erfurt is part of former East Germany and was very little damage from the war so there are quite a few medieval buildings still standing in town. The Altstadt is easily walkable and the town square is stunning with the cathedral perched on the hill above it.

[Deleted]

I would go to Munich.

[frlcb]

Do a Christmas market for sure. I would go to Germany (Nuremburg, Cologne, Berlin), Vienna, Copenhagen, Tallinn.

[Deleted]

my suggestion would be zurich

[redheadk]

We were in Cologne when I was pg with DD (DH was driving the Nurburgring). It is lovely and the cathedral is beautiful. We had a nice time and the Christmas markets were great. Plenty to do and not as fast-paced as some other cities.

[travelingturtle]

If you stay in France and go to Strasbourg go to colmar, too.

I love Erfurt at Christmas. Dresden is another beautiful city, but I haven't been there for Christmas.

[wanderlustfoodie]

Vienna for the Christmas markets and balls. Plus it's so picturesque.

[alleinesein]

Aug 23, 2013 4:12:22 GMT -5 travelingturtle said:

If you stay in France and go to Strasbourg go to colmar, too.

I love Erfurt at Christmas. Dresden is another beautiful city, but I haven't been there for Christmas.

(heart) that someone else on here has been to Erfurt.  Most people give me weird looks when I mention that I've been there.  I was there as they were setting up the Christmas market so I didnt get to see it in action but its on my list of places that I must go back and visit.

[anna7602]

I second (third?) the markets in Strasburg and Colmar. I didn't think the market in Bruges was so great, but it's a beautiful town in general and quite nice and cozy to walk around. Plus, it's a quick train ride from Paris, if that's your starting point.

[Deleted]

I've done Paris and Bruges, while both were beautiful for the holidays, I wasn't impressed with the markets in either. I'm hoping to head back one year to check out the German markets.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

I've only been to the markets in Berlin, Munich and Vienna. Munich was my favorite. I found Vienna's markets to be somewhat sterile compared to the others.

[anna7602]

Aug 24, 2013 0:28:38 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Have you been to France in December? It was not the funnest vacation I have had.

What's wrong with France in December that isn't wrong with the rest of northern Europe in December?

[frlcb]

Aug 24, 2013 21:54:58 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Aug 24, 2013 17:50:04 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

What's wrong with France in December that isn't wrong with the rest of northern Europe in December?

Only been to France in the winter so not sure about the rest of Europe.

Why was it not fun?

[frlcb]

Aug 25, 2013 3:05:40 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Aug 25, 2013 2:50:44 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Why was it not fun?

Way too freaking cold without any benefits, like Christmas or things worth being cold.

It is cold, most of Europe is cold in the winter. Sorry you didn't enjoy it!

[Deleted]

The cold doesn't really bother me in Europe in winter but the darkness does. It gets dark around 3pm in some parts

[CloudBee]

Copenhagen or Bruges!

Copenhagen has such a storybook feel to it. It's also VERY kid friendly. I bet Tivoli would be all done up around the holidays! They line their outdoor seating with sherpa during the cold months. It's such a cool place to go. I would suggest Hotel 27, as it's right near Tivoli and the center of the action.

Bruges would have wonderful window displays around that time. I would suggest The Pand Hotel.

Both cities are very walkable.

Christmas is a great time of year for a French castle tour. There are many that depart from Paris and go into the Loire Valley there the climate is a bit more mild.

[aurora]

We loved Prague at Christmas a couple of years ago. Huge Christmas market in the Old Town square and hot spiced wine all over the city for whenever you got chilly walking around.

[Deleted]

I think Copenhagen or Stockholm would be lovely at Christmas time. The Scandinavians take Christmas very seriously.
ETA: I don't recommend Norway because it's too expensive.

[GilliC]

Aug 28, 2013 13:06:53 GMT -5 @rainbow said:

I think Copenhagen or Stockholm would be lovely at Christmas time. The Scandinavians take Christmas very seriously.
ETA: I don't recommend Norway because it's too expensive.

If cost is a concern, Copenhagen and Stockholm are not much cheaper than Oslo.  If you're planning to do a lot of shopping (In Scandinavia?  Are you nuts?) then they're a bit cheaper, but hotel and restaurant expenses are still quite high, so they're not cheap places to travel.  I've actually stayed in bigger hotels in Oslo for the same price as the windowless bunk-bed closet I shared with a friend in Stockholm!

But regardless of price, I would still skip Norwegian cities at Christmas, because pretty much everything closes for a few days around the holidays.  It's one of those times of year when you have to plan ahead to make sure you have food before the grocery shuts its doors for half a week.

[Cioccolato]

avoid switzerland