Which European city for Christmas?

[Mr_Gimlet]

For various work related reasons, Mrs_G and I are having a holiday over Christmas this year. The wrath of our families is already descending for being away.

We're going to be away for a few weeks, and want a week in Rome and a week in Berlin. The middle two weeks - including a week over Christmas - are pretty open. Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Hamburg, Budapest, Krakow are all possibilities but I need some insight into somewhere that will still be open. Some cities are reportedly pretty quiet. High chance of snow (or frost) a bonus for the Australian Mrs_G. Switzerland is probably going to be too expensive so not Bern or Zurich.

 

[Mattg]

I'm not sure about all of those cities, but my advice would be to avoid Germany and Austria from 24-25 December. Nothing will be open from 2pm on the 24th.

You should absolutely go to these countries before Christmas, however, for the markets.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I'm not sure about all of those cities, but my advice would be to avoid Germany and Austria from 24-25 December. Nothing will be open from 2pm on the 24th.

You should absolutely go to these countries before Christmas, however, for the markets.

Strasbourg has the best marchés de Noël!

 

[ftas]

Berlin is boring. if you can, go to Munich instead. For xmas period German xmas markets are excellent. You should experience it while you are there.

Budapest is beautiful. Food and accom is cheaper. We had the best new years eve there.

Salzburg is nice however it is small. You would not want to stay there more than 3 nights.

You should also consider Praque. Another nice city . Lots to do and it is cheap.

If you want to spend a few days somewhere warmer, you can go to Spain or Portugal. Airfares are very cheap.

I am not sure how you feel about cruises, There are many cheap Mediterranean cruise deals around that time of the year.

 

[jase05]

Prague is amazing over Christmas. The markets shut around lunch on Christmas Eve but were open on Christmas Day and there are plenty of restaurants and bars open although having a reservation is wise. Just a beautiful city to walk around at the best of times but felt extra special over Christmas. Plenty of smaller shops were open Christmas Day and we saw many tours and river cruises operating during the day.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Wow thanks everyone. We're going to Finland and St Petersburg after Christmas (avoid the Santa kiddiewinks), hence the focus on northern Europe rather than Spain. So we thought this pre-xmas part of the trip should be Christmas-max.

We've spent a fair bit of time in Prague, so that's why it wasn't on the list. I hadn't thought of Strasbourg, good call - never been and probably very nice food.

We do want to do Berlin for the museums on the trip, but I accept the expert advice that it could be seen as boring and so we'll do that after xmas assuming others agree (or not).

Edit: also tempted by Bordeaux

 

[ftas]

Looks like you dont mind cold. Last time, around xmas , we were in Finland it was around -10. Sweden was -24. St petersburg around -10.

There is a very nice xmas cruise between finland and sweden. It is definitely a great experience

Christmas & New Year Cruises - Tallink & Silja Line

Enjoy the Merry Christmas at Sea!

www.tallinksilja.com

St petersburg, is a very nice city but covered in snow during winter. They dont clean streets that much so you will jump over piles of snow regularly. Australians have to get a visa for Russia. It is a complicated and lengthy process. You will need an invitation from hotel which you have to pay separately. Prepare yourself navigating through russian alphabet for street signs, metro etc

 

[dajop]

Several years ago we visited Bucharest and did some day trips out of there into other parts of Romania. Was freezing, but interesting , and reasonable Xmas markets as well with a local flavour and cheap (about 1/4 the price of Vienna, and 1/8 the price of Zurich for gluhwein!).

But Strasbourg seems to get the gong for the best Christmas markets, and it's a nice enough city as well, so definitely worth visiting.

 

[offshore171]

Of your list, I'd go with Vienna if you are looking for a city location.

However, I'd recommend spending the days over xmas at an alpine town in Austria.

As others have said, the cities will be pretty quiet on 24-26 Dec.

However the snowbound villages will be in full swing with festive holiday makers. The hotels usually put on a banquet and entertainment on the 24th. I'd suggest Seefeld in Austria, about halfway on the trainline between Munich and Innsbruck (train stops in the village).

It's a walkable village with xmas markets, skating rinks, wilderness trails, a small alpine skiing area. Some really nice hotels and restaurants are on offer. It's at 1200m altitude, so snow is almost guaranteed.

 

[VPS]

Wow thanks everyone. We're going to Finland and St Petersburg after Christmas (avoid the Santa kiddiewinks), hence the focus on northern Europe rather than Spain. So we thought this pre-xmas part of the trip should be Christmas-max.

We've spent a fair bit of time in Prague, so that's why it wasn't on the list. I hadn't thought of Strasbourg, good call - never been and probably very nice food.

We do want to do Berlin for the museums on the trip, but I accept the expert advice that it could be seen as boring and so we'll do that after xmas assuming others agree (or not).

Edit: also tempted by Bordeaux

Don't let them put you of St Petersburg if you want to go - it's not that hard to get Visa and navigate your way around. No idea what it's like in full winter though.

Bordeaux is a lovely city - very easy to get around with the transport card and quite walkable. Again - no idea what it is like over winter

 

[Denali]

...... The wrath of our families is already descending for being away.

Its been about 6 years now that we fly away for Christmas to avoid the various family "have to" obligations. Best decision ever. Have a great time!

 

[Pushka]

Anywhere where there are Christmas markets. Many stunning places along the main rivers.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Don't let them put you of St Petersburg if you want to go - it's not that hard to get Visa and navigate your way around. No idea what it's like in full winter though.

We're pretty advanced on the StP planning. If you come in from Helsinki by ferry you get 72 hours without a visa as long as you book accommodation through the ferry company. The Helsinki xmas cruise looked fun but it goes the wrong way really.

I'd suggest Seefeld in Austria

This sounds great. I had a quick look at hotel prices and they looked OK, is this going to be a bank-breaking exercise or can it be done reasonably? I know its only a few days but my pocket has to deal with Finnish prices.

 

[jase05]

Wow thanks everyone. We're going to Finland and St Petersburg after Christmas (avoid the Santa kiddiewinks), hence the focus on northern Europe rather than Spain. So we thought this pre-xmas part of the trip should be Christmas-max.

We've spent a fair bit of time in Prague, so that's why it wasn't on the list. I hadn't thought of Strasbourg, good call - never been and probably very nice food.

We do want to do Berlin for the museums on the trip, but I accept the expert advice that it could be seen as boring and so we'll do that after xmas assuming others agree (or not).

Edit: also tempted by Bordeaux

Ahh I see. If Prague is out I can say I honestly enjoyed Salzburg over Christmas. Yes a lot of places are closed but it’s just such a great place to wander around and admire the Christmas lights and scenery. The Christmas markets are open and quite pleasant. Could also do a side trip to Hallstatt or other small picture perfect towns in the region

 

[mrsterryn]

Love going over to the snowy parts of Europe near Xmas
Have an amazing time

 

[mrsterryn]

Where did you end up choosing ?

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Where did you end up choosing ?

Still planning - I need to know if I am working or not in mid December. But I liked the idea of an Austrian mountain village over Christmas accessed by rail, so the week before will probably be Munich. We'll do Finland, St Petersburg and Berlin after Christmas.

 

[mrsterryn]

Munich is such a central city. My first visit I was amazed at the concept of international trains
We tend to travel Dec my husband loves the cold and previously skating

 

[jase05]

Still planning - I need to know if I am working or not in mid December. But I liked the idea of an Austrian mountain village over Christmas accessed by rail, so the week before will probably be Munich. We'll do Finland, St Petersburg and Berlin after Christmas.

I know you ruled out Switzerland but we have stayed at Zermatt and Wengen during summer and winter and both are as beautiful as you will ever see. Staying at either/both around Christmas time is still high on our bucket list though

 

[RB]

Still planning - I need to know if I am working or not in mid December. But I liked the idea of an Austrian mountain village over Christmas accessed by rail, so the week before will probably be Munich. We'll do Finland, St Petersburg and Berlin after Christmas.

I read earlier that you were considering Seefeld. Just a suggestion, you need to make some decisions soon-I looked at the Seefeld apartment we stayed at in June & it is booked out around Xmas. Booking.com says that they have 111 apartments like this already unavailable on their site (just fed in 20-23rd Dec as random to get an idea)