places to visit in Europe during December?
Oct 1st, 2015, 02:50 AM
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places to visit in Europe during December?
I am traveling to Europe over Christmas for 2 (25-dec-2015 to 8-jan-2016) weeks. I know it's not the best time of year to go, but it's the only time we can take off for 2 consecutive weeks. It will be my first trip to Europe, and i are very excited!! I would love to get advice from seasoned travelers.... Where should i go?
A little about myself....
I prefer big cities and villages too unless there is something incredible to see in the villages. I love the outdoors and Adventures.
I love to bike.
I also love to snowboard.
I love the beaches.
I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!
A little about myself....
I prefer big cities and villages too unless there is something incredible to see in the villages. I love the outdoors and Adventures.
I love to bike.
I also love to snowboard.
I love the beaches.
I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you!
Oct 1st, 2015, 03:22 AM
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Beaches are tricky, but if you bundle up you can join the folks in Amsterdam, or the folks in Ferrara Italy for biking. Despite the cold weather and holiday closures, most of the big cities of Europe are fun during that time period, with plenty of things to do indoors if it snows or storms.
If you prefer somewhat warmer weather, you can go to Rome and Naples (and see Pompei, and maybe some sea views if it is sunny), where usually it doesn't freeze during the daytime, so it can be nice to walk (not bike) outside and sightsee.
If you wanted an all-Italian trip, you could visit Venice and Ferrara (for biking), the Dolomiti mountains (for snowboarding) and Rome. Be aware that Italians like to go skiing right after Christmas, and lots of religious people want to be in Rome for Christmas, so that can turn into an expensive trip unless you plan carefully. You also need to book things fairly early, including train tickets.
But there are other possibilities in Spain to combine mountains, sea and visit cities, or Austria or Germany if you like snow and big cities and don't mind missing the beach.
The easiest thing to do, however, is to pick a few cities with very good train connections, and maybe one place to do a little snowboarding.
If you prefer somewhat warmer weather, you can go to Rome and Naples (and see Pompei, and maybe some sea views if it is sunny), where usually it doesn't freeze during the daytime, so it can be nice to walk (not bike) outside and sightsee.
If you wanted an all-Italian trip, you could visit Venice and Ferrara (for biking), the Dolomiti mountains (for snowboarding) and Rome. Be aware that Italians like to go skiing right after Christmas, and lots of religious people want to be in Rome for Christmas, so that can turn into an expensive trip unless you plan carefully. You also need to book things fairly early, including train tickets.
But there are other possibilities in Spain to combine mountains, sea and visit cities, or Austria or Germany if you like snow and big cities and don't mind missing the beach.
The easiest thing to do, however, is to pick a few cities with very good train connections, and maybe one place to do a little snowboarding.
Oct 1st, 2015, 05:28 AM
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No place in europe has beach weather in europe - so that's out.
As for riding a bike - you would need to stay in southern europe to have a fair chance of biking weather; in most of europe - esp north of the Alps - the weather is too cold and rainy/snowy for biking to be possible a good part of the time.
In most places (except southern spain and italy) the countryside will be quite gray and dreary, with leafless trees, brown grass and no flowers/gardens - so touring the countryside is not a great idea.
Snowboarding is certainly possible in any of the Alpine areas - which you should choose based on the rest of your itinerary and your budget (Switz resorts are much more expensive than those in the Frenchm German or Austrian mountains).
But for us to give you the best advice we need to understand:
How are you with cold weather and sleet/ice/snow? If you want to avoid this you will need to head for southern spain or italy.
If you want big cities and are not bothered by winter weather (IMHO much of western europe is fairly mild - temps below zero and lots of snow are not common) and if you're never been I would head for London and Paris. In what seems to be about 13 days you could spend time in both of those places and then a few days in the French Alps.
But without knowing what are must dos from you we can only guess. Have a look at several good guide books - esp pictorial ones - and also info on european tours (brochures or online) to determine a few things that are must sees for you. We can help you string those together into a trip.
As for riding a bike - you would need to stay in southern europe to have a fair chance of biking weather; in most of europe - esp north of the Alps - the weather is too cold and rainy/snowy for biking to be possible a good part of the time.
In most places (except southern spain and italy) the countryside will be quite gray and dreary, with leafless trees, brown grass and no flowers/gardens - so touring the countryside is not a great idea.
Snowboarding is certainly possible in any of the Alpine areas - which you should choose based on the rest of your itinerary and your budget (Switz resorts are much more expensive than those in the Frenchm German or Austrian mountains).
But for us to give you the best advice we need to understand:
How are you with cold weather and sleet/ice/snow? If you want to avoid this you will need to head for southern spain or italy.
If you want big cities and are not bothered by winter weather (IMHO much of western europe is fairly mild - temps below zero and lots of snow are not common) and if you're never been I would head for London and Paris. In what seems to be about 13 days you could spend time in both of those places and then a few days in the French Alps.
But without knowing what are must dos from you we can only guess. Have a look at several good guide books - esp pictorial ones - and also info on european tours (brochures or online) to determine a few things that are must sees for you. We can help you string those together into a trip.
Oct 1st, 2015, 09:14 AM
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If you want an incredible experience in winter then go to Norway.
Husky sledding at night under the Northern Lights is quite simply mind blowing.
It's impossible to use superlatives, just do it.
Tromso is the best place to visit and then take the ferry to the Lofotens Islands which are stunning in winter.
Husky sledding at night under the Northern Lights is quite simply mind blowing.
It's impossible to use superlatives, just do it.
Tromso is the best place to visit and then take the ferry to the Lofotens Islands which are stunning in winter.
Oct 1st, 2015, 01:03 PM
#6
Beach, it depends how much you like wet and dry suits, certainly the serious surfers will be out on the Atlantic side from Newcastle to Lagos
Snow, I prefer above the artic circle but the darkness is a pain in December. Austria seems to do pretty well, especially near Glaciers with snow at that time of year.
If you want warm weather Morocco is my favorite, followed by the Canaries and Egypt.
Snow, I prefer above the artic circle but the darkness is a pain in December. Austria seems to do pretty well, especially near Glaciers with snow at that time of year.
If you want warm weather Morocco is my favorite, followed by the Canaries and Egypt.
Oct 1st, 2015, 04:49 PM
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Odin -
Have been more than 100 times - sorry to disappoint you.
And while I'm sure that people who commute by bike every day will do so in winter weather - unless it's truly dreadful - it's not usually something one does on vacation for fun when it's cold, rainy and windy. I know - I see the bikers in Central Park on the way to work every morning - and in the winter there are many fewer than in better weather.
Have been more than 100 times - sorry to disappoint you.
And while I'm sure that people who commute by bike every day will do so in winter weather - unless it's truly dreadful - it's not usually something one does on vacation for fun when it's cold, rainy and windy. I know - I see the bikers in Central Park on the way to work every morning - and in the winter there are many fewer than in better weather.
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Oct 1st, 2015, 11:52 PM
#8
If you want to do bike riding in deepest winter, then the Ecovia do Litoral in Algarve is the most sensible long distance path, did it in shorts and T shirt a few years back. http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Algarve_Guide.php
