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Started By
Message
re: Europe around Christmas / New Year's
Posted on 7/19/18 at 10:09 am to lynxcat
Posted on 7/19/18 at 10:09 am to lynxcat
quote:
Google Streets is a great idea...that can be a fun way to learn about the areas together and make the trip less intimidating.
I use google streets to familiarize myself with where I'm staying and the proximity to things I want to be around.
But I will say I try to limit it, because I don't want to get TOO familiar. Walking out on those streets for the first time and taking it all in is part of the fun.
1
Posted on 7/19/18 at 12:17 pm to Pettifogger
I have not done any Euro destinations at Christmas, but REALLY want to visit Prague & Switzerland at that time. Like someone else said, go to places that do Christmas/cold weather well - fireplaces, big trees, markets, etc. Living in South MS also makes us intentionally seek out snow & cold weather though.
I also agree on the street view thing. Get a general idea of the layout and you'll figure it out much quicker upon arrival.
I also agree on the street view thing. Get a general idea of the layout and you'll figure it out much quicker upon arrival.
Posted on 7/19/18 at 1:44 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Christmas markets in Germany are pretty cool.
Not just Germany. We went to markets in Brussels and Cologne last Christmas and really enjoyed both.
Posted on 7/19/18 at 2:50 pm to InThroughTheOutDore
quote:
Cologne
quote:
Germany
It's in Germany. The place with the big arse cathedral? Yeah Germany and it has a great Christmas Market right by the cathedral. We got some really nice funky cheese and enough Gluhwein to make the train ride back to the apartment an adventure. We wound up in Dusseldorf and had to back track through 4 different routes. Hooray for the Eurorail pass!
This post was edited on 7/19/18 at 2:52 pm
Posted on 7/19/18 at 3:38 pm to convertedtiger
I love the Christkindlmarkts, but OP is going in LATE December, which I took to mean post-Christmas. If indeed OP is traveling after Christmas, much of the charm of the season ends when those outdoor markets close up.
The cooler weather of December can make Sicily especially appealing...if you like climbing around on ancient ruins, it's not a bad time to visit Erice, Agrigento, etc.
The cooler weather of December can make Sicily especially appealing...if you like climbing around on ancient ruins, it's not a bad time to visit Erice, Agrigento, etc.
Posted on 7/20/18 at 7:38 am to hungryone
I was just commenting on the previous poster who seemed to think that Cologne was not in Germany for some reason.
Posted on 7/20/18 at 8:22 am to convertedtiger
quote:
I was just commenting on the previous poster who seemed to think that Cologne was not in Germany for some reason.
I didn't read the whole thread again but I don't think he was saying cologne wasn't in Germany, I think he was saying that the Christmas markets are not just in Germany but other countries also.
Op, I would just make sure your GF knows that December outside of Christmas time will mean A LOT of things will have very limited hours and a lot of things will be closed. I would make sure and do your research. With that understood, I love traveling places during dead times as it's very peaceful. But some places can be almost depressing as it's almost like a ghost town. When they have holiday hours it's actual holiday hours, it can be difficult to find things to do after 4pm.
As said, many museums and attractions may only be open for 3-4 days for half days. Weekends you may find almost everything closed. But it's a fantastic time to get good prices and to meet locals, great time to get an Airbnb and go to a local watering hole every night at 6 when nothing else is open and talk to the bartenders for 3-4 nights in a row and get some great local tips on the 3rd night.
I think OP is in New Jersey or the northeast right? So I'm guessing that's why he is looking to get away from the cold and not go to Austria or Switzerland.
This post was edited on 7/20/18 at 8:25 am
Posted on 7/20/18 at 2:31 pm to convertedtiger
quote:
It's in Germany.
Yes, I know. The "other than Germany" part was referring to Brussels, which had an incredibly cool market. We also went to Cologne and enjoyed the multiple markets there, both at the base of the cathedral and scattered across the city. Ich dachte, es wäre selbstverständig, welche Stadt nicht in Deutschland war!
This post was edited on 7/20/18 at 2:40 pm
Posted on 7/20/18 at 3:33 pm to lynxcat
We exclusively travel over Christmas / New Years in Europe. Our trip in Tuscany was amazing.
Posted on 7/23/18 at 11:38 am to InThroughTheOutDore
quote:
selbstverständig
selbstverständlich
Posted on 7/23/18 at 6:17 pm to lynxcat
We stayed in Florence over New Years two years ago! Magical. Got to see the fireworks from our rooftop.
Where We Stayed
Where We Stayed
Posted on 11/18/18 at 7:12 pm to Nole Man
Update: Booked for Amsterdam, Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona.
Got a $540 RT ticket on American so feeling good with that purchase.
Finalizing the AirBnB/Hotels this week. This thread was a great reminder to cross check some of the opening times for the activities we choose.
Appreciate any other advice on those four cities
Got a $540 RT ticket on American so feeling good with that purchase.
Finalizing the AirBnB/Hotels this week. This thread was a great reminder to cross check some of the opening times for the activities we choose.
Appreciate any other advice on those four cities
Posted on 11/19/18 at 2:30 am to lynxcat
That’s a lot of stops for 10-14 days. Especially if two of those are travel to Europe and back days. Then travel to those cities will each cost at minimum, half a day. Waiting for check ins at different Airbnb’s etc takes une too. You’ll get into the room, then want to take a few minutes, then that turns into an hour before you know it. Now you are down to 6-10 days. That means at best, you get two days in each city. You’re going to hate that you jam packed everything. One whole day as a tourist in a major metro disappears before you know it.
I suggest One Spanish city and Paris. Take day trips from them.
From Paris, you can take a day trip to Amsterdam and it’s quick and fast by high speed rail. Same if you want to go to Brussels or Lyon or Strasbourg etc
When in Paris, take a train trip to Colmar and stay late. The Christmas Markets in Colmar are amazing, and the village is lit up beautifully. It’s a wonderful town.
I understand wanting to see everything and make lots of stops. But you’ll get to see so little if you try and pack it in. And you’ll be stressed and tired.
Food for thought.
I suggest One Spanish city and Paris. Take day trips from them.
From Paris, you can take a day trip to Amsterdam and it’s quick and fast by high speed rail. Same if you want to go to Brussels or Lyon or Strasbourg etc
When in Paris, take a train trip to Colmar and stay late. The Christmas Markets in Colmar are amazing, and the village is lit up beautifully. It’s a wonderful town.
I understand wanting to see everything and make lots of stops. But you’ll get to see so little if you try and pack it in. And you’ll be stressed and tired.
Food for thought.
Posted on 11/19/18 at 9:12 am to lynxcat
Doing a little of warm and cold, good idea. my RT was right around the same too, beats the 1200 I spent last time i went to Europe.
Posted on 11/19/18 at 1:36 pm to LoneStarRanger
quote:
That’s a lot of stops for 10-14 days. Especially if two of those are travel to Europe and back days. Then travel to those cities will each cost at minimum, half a day. Waiting for check ins at different Airbnb’s etc takes une too. You’ll get into the room, then want to take a few minutes, then that turns into an hour before you know it. Now you are down to 6-10 days. That means at best, you get two days in each city. You’re going to hate that you jam packed everything. One whole day as a tourist in a major metro disappears before you know it.
I'm not worried about the logistics honestly. I've done much more hectic trips so this one isn't worrisome. We are only spending 1 day (2 nights since we get in late) in Amsterdam. 2 1/2 days in Madrid and Barcelona and 3 1/2 days in Paris.
In my opinion, the key is to have a targeted list of things we want to do and see in each city, recognizing we aren't going to "see everything". I prefer to soak up a shorter list of targeted activities than spending long periods of time in a smaller number of cities and seeing 'everything'. This is a less relaxing way to tour Europe, but we are a young couple and I like that this trip will expose her to three very different cultures.
quote:
From Paris, you can take a day trip to Amsterdam and it’s quick and fast by high speed rail. Same if you want to go to Brussels or Lyon or Strasbourg etc
When in Paris, take a train trip to Colmar and stay late. The Christmas Markets in Colmar are amazing, and the village is lit up beautifully.
Originally expected to go Amsterdam to Paris but the open jaw flight didn't support that itinerary. This is the first I've heard of Colmar - appreciate the recommendation. With 3 1/2 days in Paris, I doubt we have time to do day trips but good to know nonetheless.
This post was edited on 11/19/18 at 1:43 pm
Posted on 11/19/18 at 1:39 pm to mizslu314
quote:
Doing a little of warm and cold, good idea. my RT was right around the same too, beats the 1200 I spent last time i went to Europe.
She wanted Paris otherwise I would have spent the entire time in Spain.
I lived in Belgium for a month but never ventured to Amsterdam. It's been on my list of places to go for years so it was a late add when I found the cheap flights into AMS.
We are packing light so will need to use the layers in Paris and Amsterdam. Spain should be great weather though (I prefer a little chill).
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