Where would you travel in December?

[pantsparty]

H has a ton of vacation time around Christmas / New Year's and we were thinking about traveling out of the country. We're kind of over tropical vacations right now and were considering London / Amsterdam or Japan. I know both will be cold, and you need to stay in the city, because a number of places shut down. Has anyone traveled during the holidays, any thoughts?

[emilyinchile]

How much is "a ton," by which I mean how long are you traveling for? Where are you traveling from? Do you just want not tropical, or do you specifically want cold? The Southern Hemisphere will be in summer, but that doesn't mean tropical or beaches everywhere.

[chicago]

We went to Thailand this past December. We did go to the beach, but we also spent time in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, plus we stopped in Hong Kong on our way home. December was the perfect time because the weather was amazing - warm but not sweltering, no humidity, no rain - plus it's so affordable once you get there.

[sexyninja]

Jul 9, 2012 9:43:30 GMT -5 chicago said:

We went to Thailand this past December. We did go to the beach, but we also spent time in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, plus we stopped in Hong Kong on our way home. December was the perfect time because the weather was amazing - warm but not sweltering, no humidity, no rain - plus it's so affordable once you get there.

GirlinChicago- You've got mail

[chicago]

Jul 9, 2012 10:07:32 GMT -5 sexyninja said:

Jul 9, 2012 9:43:30 GMT -5 chicago said:

We went to Thailand this past December. We did go to the beach, but we also spent time in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, plus we stopped in Hong Kong on our way home. December was the perfect time because the weather was amazing - warm but not sweltering, no humidity, no rain - plus it's so affordable once you get there.

GirlinChicago- You've got mail

Responded!

[pantsparty]

Jul 9, 2012 9:26:15 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

How much is "a ton," by which I mean how long are you traveling for? Where are you traveling from? Do you just want not tropical, or do you specifically want cold? The Southern Hemisphere will be in summer, but that doesn't mean tropical or beaches everywhere.

We'd probably travel 8-10 days, coming from Los Angeles. I guess I don't specifically want cold. We were thinking London/Amsterdam because it's supposed to be a lot of fun that time of year.

I'm totally open to suggestions, though! I don't know much about areas like Thailand. I've been reading a lot of Lisa See so I'd be interested in China!

[juliabug]

A few years ago, I spent 2 weeks in Rome and Paris over Christmas and New Years. It was wonderful. Most places were closed on Christmas, so we saw all of the fountains and outdoor sights that day. A lot of places were closed on New Years day also, but the churches were open and empty so we toured a few of them.

The weather was great. I am a wimp when it comes to the cold, but a light coat was all I needed.

[mdgirl]

We just got back from Japan and it was fantastic. It's supposed to be beautiful in the winter with snow, too. But a lot of what I read before we went said traveling over holidays can be chaotic there because everyone goes home and the trains get full.

I think Thailand is a fantastic suggestion, and since you're interested in China maybe a Bangkok/Hong Kong trip?

[Deleted]

We usually travel over the holidays to take advantage of vacation time, but we're not tied to tropical locations. This past year, we spent the holidays in Lisbon. It was wonderful - not at all crowded, mild, mostly sunny (but not too hot) weather for sightseeing, fun New Years festivities. We spent a week in Lisbon, with a day trip to Sintra and a day in the suburb of Belem, and it was one of our favorite trips. The year before, we spent the holidays in Egypt. The two years before that we went to the Caribbean.

There are so many great South American destinations, and the weather will be nice there in December. If you're leaning toward Europe, I would look at the southern regions so the weather will be milder.

[scout8]

Due to our work schedules, we always travel between mid November/early December. We are not beach people, although I prefer warmer weather if possible.

We have done several trips to destinations in Latin America that time of year. Nice weather and no jet lag!

One year we visited friends in London and then went on to Croatia, Slovenia, and Hungary. Weather was mainly in the 50's until we got to Hungary where it was cooler. In December, you might be able to hit some of the Christmas markets in Europe.

We also did Turkey & Greece one year and had decent weather.

[Deleted]

December means Christmas Markets in Europe!

If you have 8 - 10 days I highly highly recommend doing London - Amsterdam - Koln, Germany. Koln has an amazing Christmas market.
Amsterdam is beautiful at Christmas. There are tiny Christmas markets in the center, the city is decorated, and yes it is cold but not so bad until February so I think as long as you're prepared you'll be fine.

Another thought is the Romantic Road in Germany with a stop in Rothenburg Am Tauber for Christmasy type things.

Also, we went to Istanbul for Turkey two years ago and it was an awesome time to go. The weather was in the low 60s but the sun was shining. If you have 8 - 10 days maybe you could do Istanbul and a few other parts of Turkey?

[pantsparty]

I think we are going to do the London / Amsterdam route. We definitely want to get to Latin America, but we've not yet been to Europe. Germany is an interesting idea, too, I think we'll have enough time in 10 days to get there as well.

Now I must Google these Christmas markets!

I was doing some reading and someone said everyone is "permanently pissed" during Christmas in London. Sounds like my kind of place!

[Deleted]

If you're interested in Booze and Christmas Markets, think about Brugges in Belgium too. That is a really easy train ride.

Or you might want to look in doing a trappist brewery drive in Belgium.

I don't know how many days are appropriate for london but you don't need more than 3 days in Amsterdam.

Any chance your trip to Amsterdam could coincide with New Year's Eve? New Year's Eve in Amsterdam is like nothing I've ever seen before. Everyone and their brother setting off fireworks in the street, concerts on Museumplein, partying in the street. It is a crazy time.

[GilliC]

Jul 9, 2012 10:33:42 GMT -5 pantsparty said:

I've been reading a lot of Lisa See so I'd be interested in China!

Things are definitely open in China around Christmas time, and it's... ...unique, to say the least. I've been in Xian around Christmas, and it was very festive with a big Christmas tree and girls in skimpy angel costumes, and lots of people wearing bunny ears and selling Scream masks. In Beijing, the clubs all had special parties for Christmas. Weather-wise, northern China will be winter temperatures, and although we were able to see some of Hua-shan (one of the sacred mountains) while we were visiting Xian in December, snow kept us from safely reaching any of the peaks. But I have to admit the snow on the brass locks and red ribbons was quite striking!

In terms of climate, Hong Kong is really pleasant around that time of year, it's a lot easier to navigate without knowing any Chinese. Or if you really want to see part of mainland China, Guilin and Yangshuo are also quite nice in December!

[dutchgirl678]

I'm from the Netherlands and I've often visited during the holidays after I moved to the US. It will probably be cold but it's a lot of fun. As the pp said, the fireworks on NYE are crazy. Christmas markets are a ton of fun too. And there are lots of indoor museums to enjoy in winter as well.

[pantsparty]

Jul 10, 2012 9:15:25 GMT -5 @heyyall said:

If you're interested in Booze and Christmas Markets, think about Brugges in Belgium too. That is a really easy train ride.

Or you might want to look in doing a trappist brewery drive in Belgium.

I don't know how many days are appropriate for london but you don't need more than 3 days in Amsterdam.

Any chance your trip to Amsterdam could coincide with New Year's Eve? New Year's Eve in Amsterdam is like nothing I've ever seen before. Everyone and their brother setting off fireworks in the street, concerts on Museumplein, partying in the street. It is a crazy time.

Yes, we are doing New Year's in Amsterdam for sure!

I'll have to think about Brugges. I love the move In Bruges, which makes me want to go there, but H said something about the crime rate in Belgium? WTF? I need to do more research.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure we're booking tickets on Friday. I'm trying not to jinx it, but I'M SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!