luciabell

Need some help with planning our European Christmas honeymoon! We can leave Australia on the 19th December and have until the end of January if needed. The places we definitely want to go are Paris, London and Saariselka. Where else should we go or is this enough? Where is best for Christmas and New Years? We aren't huge party people.. more looking for scenery and romance! Thanks for your help

Melnq8

Berchtesgaden, Germany comes to mind. Beautiful with or without snow - lovely little Christmas Market.

Surely as Aussies, you want snow?

https://www.bavaria.by/bavaria-berchtesgaden-national-p

luciabell

Yes would love to experience snow! That is why Finland is a must! Thanks for your help, il check it out

WoinParis

Berchtesgaden is great for third reich nostalgics.

Scootoir

How exciting. Plan open-jaw flights arriving in one city and returning home from another. Begin your trip in a place such as Strasbourg or Nuremburg (or another German city known for its Christmas market) to enjoy a wonderful flavor of Christmas. You could fly into Mulhouse and easily access Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar, or Freiburg. I don't know Freiburg but there is information here: http://www.germany-christmas-market....mas_market.php After 3 trips to Christmas markets Strasbourg is my favorite destination.

From Strasbourg you can take the TGV to Paris and the Eurostar from Paris to London. I would imagine you would fly to Finland.

I have just begun researching a future Christmas stay in the UK at a "country house" hotel that offers a program over a 3 or 4 day stay. I have read on the boards here that London is pretty buttoned up on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. You should be able to search for some of these posts and see what was said.

Have fun planning and please post a trip report when you return.

wunderbar2

luciabell, congrats on your upcoming marriage. I know you didn't ask about places to stay however many years ago we spent a week at Christmas near Füßen at the hotel below

https://www.hotelruebezahl.de

You'd definitely need a car but there are many places to visit nearby, especially Neuschwanstein.

Only my opinion but the Ruebezahl may tick the boxes for scenery & romance.
Wherever you are during Christmas and New Years plan to reserve your lodging soon, it can be a busy time of the year and also expect some closings of restaurants and sights.

Enjoy your planning and the honeymoon trip, we find Europe magical, especially during the holidays.

denisea

Paris is wonderful at Christmas! I agree with the rec for Strasbourg...you could visit some of the towns in Alsace from Strasbourg.

I have not been to a London around Christmas but believe from posts here that Christmas Day it is quite dead and maybe on Boxing Day, as well. I am sure London dresses up for Christmas, so you may want to fly in and then take the Eurostar to Paris before Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is a little quiet in Paris but you can still find plenty to do and most things are open again the next day mid-day.

luciabell

Thanks so much for all of your help everyone! So we could fly to Paris and spend Christmas there then leave straight after and head to Germany, do you think there will still be Christmas scenery and markets on in Germany between Christmas and new year? And where would be good to spend New Years?

swandav2000

Hi luciabell,

Unfortunately, no, most Christmas markets in Germany end around 14.00 on 24 December, and most things are closed for 25 & 26 Dec. It might be best to fly into Munich before Christmas and spend a few days enjoying the markets, then go to Paris for New Year's and your onward travel.

Also, there are tons of hotels in/around Füssen where you won't need to have a car! I've lived in Garmisch since 2008, and I don't have a car, and I enjoy all the scenery and the towns in the area.

Have fun as you plan!

s

bilboburgler

Saariselka! I've driven through there a couple of times but not met many who know it, if you are warm it will be fine.

"hihi"

luciabell

Yes we are staying in saariselka ice igloos at the arctic circle for a few nights and I can't wait! Thanks heaps evryone! I love the look of stratsbourg for Christmas!

bilboburgler

if you've never done it then I'd recommend
1) dog sleighing
2) cross country skiing (dead easy to learn esp with a local guide)

luciabell

Day 1 20th: arrive in Paris
Day 2 21st: Paris
Day 3 22nd: Paris
Day 4 23rd: Strasbourg
Day 5 24th: Strasbourg
Day 6 25th: Strasbourg
Day 7 26th: back to Paris
Day 8 27th: Paris
Day 9 28th: Paris
Day 10 29th: arrive in London
Day 11 30th: London
Day 12 31st: London
Day 13 1st: London
Day 14 2nd: London
Day 15 3rd: London
Day 16 4th: London
Day 17 5th: fly to ivalo- saariselka
Day 18 6th: Saariselka
Day 19 7th: Saariselka
Day 20 8th: travel to Rovaniemi
Day 21 9th: Rovaniemi
Day 22 10th: Rovaniemi
Day 23 11th: fly to.......


How does this look? And if we have one more week, where should we spend our last week?

tracilee

When you land in Paris, can you take the train to Strasbourg, spend three nights then go back to Paris? That would save you from having to check in and out of Paris hotels twice.

My husband and I landed in Paris last November, picked up a car and drove to Strasbourg. We weren't in a hurry, though, so spent the first night in Metz. We debated taking a train and instead got a car, the train is pretty convenient from CDG as I recall.

I think the Paris markets are open beyond December 25th, so heading straight to Strasbourg would allow you to have three days there and still have a couple days in Paris before Christmas.

luciabell

Yes that actually makes so much more sense! Thanks so much for your advice