Smorz12

I would like some input on where to travel around December 11 to December 20. We have visited Paris around Thanksgiving, wonderful. Not too rainy just drizzly - that's fine. Turks and Caicos in December was fabulous. We are not high activity. We love to eat and sightsee. Have considered Italy and Spain and the Florida Keys. Asia is pretty much out at this point. It doesn't bother me that parts of Italy are closed, we love to travel off-season, but don't want rain most days. And prefer not too cold maybe around the 40s for low. We went to New York City around Christmas, too crowded, too cold. But great food. Is this enough information to help with suggestions? I know I'm posting in Europe, but as I mentioned, Florida Keys is also good. Don't know whether to repost this also under United States? Thanks in advance.

Robert2533

If all you're interested in is great food, I'd forget about the Keys (too limited) and head for Catalunya in December.

sparkchaser

Andalucia.

KL467

Although it might be too cool for your preference, I loved visiting the Christmas Markets in Munich, Nuremberg, Salzburg, and Vienna in December. The temperature was fine for me, except for the first day when I did not dress properly for the cooler weather.

nytraveler

Frankly the food in Spain does not measure up to the best in europe. There are some places that are very good and a lot that are mediocre.

Belgium is way better and Italy and France are also much more reliable.

However, based on your temp requirements I would head- for Andalusia and pick restaurants really carefully - or head for southern Italy - as in Sicily. I don;t reco Greece since the island are totally dead then and not sure there would be enough to see/do otherwise.

We only do cities in europe in winter - but then we like cold weather (NYC is NOT too cold for us) - much more than we do scorching heat. If it were me we might to a couple of cities in Germany or Prague and Austria - to me great in winter.

Heimdall

<i>I don;t reco Greece since the island are totally dead then and not sure there would be enough to see/do otherwise.</i>

Nytraveler, you seem to think that Greece = Islands, but that is far from true. Athens would be great that time of year, with lots to do, great food, weather most likely mild, and museums & sites free of tourists. The mainland has more to see and do than the islands, anyway.

Staying on the mainland, Smorz12 could travel to the southern Peloponnese where temperatures are usually in the 60s in December. I have friends in that area who talk of tee-shirt weather at Christmastime.

mamcalice

Go to Florence and Rome. Or, if you are a bit more adventurous, what about Sicily?

sparkchaser

Budget?

Smorz12

Thanks for all the ideas everyone. Budget? Not really. Of course, doesn't everyone love a great travel bargain?! I'm more of a value person than a budget person. Mamcalice... Why "if a bit more adventurous" re: Sicily? Also, what exactly does "closed" look like in Europe? I don't mind the slower pace, allows soaking up local color better... But will it echo?

I'm going to go do a bit of homework on these suggestions. Rue de las tapas ... Fun! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. Thanks - I knew you guys could get me pointed in the right direction!

Smorz12

Ok....we have "virtually" travelled Spain, Sicily, and Italy and have landed guess where? Paris! I realize the temps may be cooler but hub really wants to go back there - we did truly love it. While there, we did venture out to Versailles. I would like to take a day or two to spend elsewhere, just to explore France a bit more. Seems Lyon gets a lot of press. So now a couple more questions...

It's been 13 years since our last trip to Paris. I don't remember where we stayed; it was "okay," but even if I could remember it, I might want to upgrade it a bit. I don't care about fancy, i do care about safe. Can you recommend areas and/or hotels to stay? Price wise, I usually just look for good deals, comparatively speaking. At this point I have no idea what that might be. I would say not a 5 star. Not a 1 star.

Also, I know nothing of Lyon. Any input?

Thanks all!

nytraveler

At tha ttime of year the resorts (Greek Isles and Amalfi coast) are closed - many restaurants and hotels are closed and ferries run rarely - and perhaps are delayed if the weather is bad and the seas are rough.

Athens is fine - but much of Greece can get quite cold southern Spain will more likely be around 60. You can also get 60 in the day in Rome or Florence - or you can get snow. They've had it several times in the last couple years.

Scootoir

If I were in Paris before Christmas I think would tack on a few days in Bruges or Strasbourg. Either one is easy by train.

PJTravels

We spent 10 days in Oaxaca, Mexico in January, 2012 and had lovely weather, great food, fabulous museums and interesting sites. Our daughter spent a week there the previous year in the days leading up to New Year's and had an equally great time.

As for Paris, consider renting an apartment for that amount of time. You will have more room than a hotel, will be able to prepare simple meals on days you don't feel like eating every meal out and will be able to take advantage of all the wonderful food markets. A good day trip out of Paris is to combine Vaux le Vicomte with Fountainbleu. You can sign up for a bus tour that gets you there and leaves you on your own to explore. For any day trip research ahead of time to make sure you are not going on a day the site/museum etc. is closed. We usually stay in the 7th. We know of a couple who visit each year and they always stay in the 14th.

Smorz12

PJ, thans for the suggestions. I'm looking at an AA vacation package. The rates seem very good as a package. They do include a few apartments that I've been studying. I like the idea of feeling more like a resident. Already I'm stretching to add an extra day or two. I'll check out Vaux le Vicomte with Fountainbleu too - that sounds interesting.

PJTravels

Smorz12, we got a lot of our day trip ideas from Ina Caro's book Paris to the Past. We were 3 1/2 weeks in Paris last trip and plan a month next time. There is always something to do! Make sure to book a concert at St. Chapelle. It was lovely, and there was no hours long wait on line. We were there in September so had the setting sun shining through the back of the chapel during the concert and turning Notre Dame golden as we left. Breath-taking. http://www.classictic.com/en/special...-chapelle/216/

Heimdall

Smorz12 wrote:

<i>Also, what exactly does "closed" look like in Europe?</i>

Nytraveler wrote:

<i>At tha ttime of year the resorts (Greek Isles and Amalfi coast) are closed - many restaurants and hotels are closed and ferries run rarely - and perhaps are delayed if the weather is bad and the seas are rough.</i>

Ferries run all year round to the Greek Islands. After all, they are there for the islanders, who need food and other supplies even when there are few tourists. The main islands have <b>daily</b> ferry service to/from the mainland 12 months of the year. Large car ferries are seldom stopped by bad weather.

All the islands, even the small ones, have a permanent population, which reverts to it's traditional occupations of farming, fishing, etc during the off season. There are always some shops, hotels, and restaurants open even in winter, although most do close. Some people enjoy visiting the islands off-season when they are more like they once were before the advent of tourism.

Smorz12

Pj - thanks for the link, I'll check it out!