Help Making Xmas Vacation Decisions

Old Aug 27th, 2014, 06:44 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help Making Xmas Vacation Decisions

We are planning a family trip for about a week over Christmas/New Year's break and have narrowed possibilities down to the following combinations, taking trains between the cities.

A) Brussels, Luxembourg, Cologne

B) Prague, Dresden, Berlin

C) Prague, Vienna, Budapest

-We haven't been to any of the places on the list before, but understand that there will be lovely Christmas Markets, concerts & other special holiday events and New Year's celebrations at each.

-It seems in all the cities, Xmas eve through the day after Xmas much will be closed (but we don't know how much this varies by city, and how much it will handicap us as visitors).

-We've read that New Year's in Vienna and Berlin are quite notable, but they might be equally interesting for different reasons in the other cities.

-The weather, as we understand it, will likely be warmer but wetter in option A, and possibly bitterly cold in B & C.

All things being equal, if your family could take one of these trips over the winter holidays, which would you choose & why?

Thanks for your input!
zammaz is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 07:54 PM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also got a recommendation to add Lisbon, Fatima and Porto as a fourth option.
zammaz is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 08:07 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
We live in Vienna and have, of course, spent Christmas and New Year's here; we have spent a week between Christmas and New Year's in Prague; and have spent a post-Christmas through New Year's in Berlin. With just a week, I would choose Prague and Berlin, or just Berlin to achieve most of what you desire. Most of the Christmasmarkts are over in Vienna; the remaining market in Prague (that we found) was low-key and closed, if I recall, on 27 December. The markets in Berlin were lively through at least 30 December, and the area around the Brandenburg Gate was quite lively on New Year's Eve afternoon. Both Prague and Berlin are "open" on 26 December, at least with respect to stores and restaurants; Vienna, with the exception of some museums and restaurants, will be relatively dead by comparison.
fourfortravel is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 09:08 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Berlin's Christmas markets, at least some of them but not all, stay open after the holidays. In Dresden, though, you will not find them any more - they all terminate by Christmas Eve. The same applies, by the way, to the vast majority of German cities. Keeping them open beyond Christmas Eve is against all tradition. You are coming too late for a true German Christmas market experience.
quokka is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 09:59 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well, here's the deal:

1. If you have "one week" (7 days) and expect to spend Christmas and New Years there, most Christmas markets are closed after Dec 24 and most Christmas stuff is over by the 25th as well. Not only that but The 25th through the 31 is seven days -- you won't even get New Year's Eve in.

2. I would not use weather as an indicator on where to go. Winter was very mild last year and in many places fairly dry.

3. if you really only have one week, hitting more than two cities is not advised. If you must see three cities, I would go with option A.

4. While you might find a few things open, it's best to plan that nothing will be open after noon on Dec 24th and all day the 25th.

So, how many days do you actually have? If you are flying in from North America or the Pacific Rim, factor jet lag into your plans.

How many in your party? It might be more cost effective to drive (depending on where you fly in/out of).
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 10:07 PM
  #6  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"a family trip for about a week"

Then options B and C are out -- you haven't nearly enough time to combine these cities!

I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Then pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from the train/bus station or whatever, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.

Good luck!
kja is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:49 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you really want to see the beautiful Christmas markets and the Christmas felling, I would make a combination of Cologne, Dresden and Vienna and I would definitely spend the New Years in Vienna. It's magical.
LucyStanmore is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2014, 11:56 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you really want to see the beautiful Christmas markets and the Christmas felling, I would make a combination of Cologne, Dresden and Vienna and I would definitely spend the New Years in Vienna. It's magical.

That's fine if you want to spend most of the daylight hours of your travel days on a train:

Köln to Dresden is at least 6.5 hours by train.

Dresden to Vienna is at least 7.5 hours by train.

If OP spends New Year's Eve in Vienna, and they only have 7 days, then there will very likely be no Christmas Markets to see in Köln or Dresden.
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 06:17 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>about a week> over Christmas/New Year's break exact dates?

The answers to both are necessary if we are going to give any useful advice. Because of the Xmas markets, because of the amount of territory you want to cover, because of the NYE issue.
janisj is online now  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 06:48 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your replies. I am happy to provide whatever information will make it easy for you to give advice. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

We are flying from the east coast of the USA. There will be four of us, two adults, two children under age 12.

There is some flexibility with regard to dates. The kids' school vacation starts Dec. 20 and classes resume Jan 5th.

We were thinking about a week, but could do up to 9 days.

Our family loves train travel and would prefer that over cars, even if a car would be more economical. We imagined the train rides as being scenic and a time to relax and regroup. We've done some train travel before in the States and Canada, but not in Europe (as a family, that is; I have done some with friends years ago).

We are open to an itinerary that has 2 instead of 3 cities if that is best. We definitely want to experience at least one nice Christmas market. Our kids are hearty travelers and like to do a lot. While we would want to hit some of the obvious tourist sites w/ the kids (e.g., Public Squares, castles, thermal baths), we are also very interested in experiencing culture as the locals live it, and like to add in off-the-beaten paths sites to the list when possible. While I am not a skiier, my husband and children are. They are also willing to try pretty much any activity (they've done things like glacier hikes in Iceland and ropes adventure courses in Puerto Rico, so they are fairly fearless). Food is an important element, and we strive to stay away from tourist traps and places that serve American fare. The more authentic, the better.

Anything else I can tell you that would be useful?
zammaz is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 09:34 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is some flexibility with regard to dates. The kids' school vacation starts Dec. 20 and classes resume Jan 5th.

We were thinking about a week, but could do up to 9 days.


Are those "up to 9 days" inclusive of travel dates?

Which is more important for your trip: seeing Christmas markets or being there for New Year's Eve? Because even with 9 full days on the ground, the only way you can do both is is to arrive on the 23rd and leave on the 2nd, which gives a grand total of 11 days and only 2 guaranteed Christmas market days (provided your kids are up to it on day one), but you will be there for New Year's and can use the 1st as your wrap up and get ready to fly out early on the next day.
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 09:35 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Food is an important element, and we strive to stay away from tourist traps and places that serve American fare. The more authentic, the better.

Decide on cities first, then recommendations can be made.
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 11:35 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
The additional information is helpful. With everything that you want in your holiday (markets, local flavor, off-the-beaten path), just pick one of the larger cities (Berlin, Prague, or Vienna) and use that as a base to explore. Rent an apartment, shop with the locals for your Christmas dinner, etc.

I'll use Vienna as an example. A good number of east coast flights are direct, so you'll arrive at VIE around 08:00; if you need to connect, you'll arrive between 10:00 and Noon. By the time you take the train into the city and arrive at your apartment you'll likely want a small meal and a nap. Use the afternoon to explore, keeping in mind that many museums close earlier in winter (17:00), and almost all stores are closed by 18:00 on Saturday (20 December) and all day Sunday.

Use the 21st through the 24th to enjoy the Christmas markets. The big and bright (and commercial) Wiener Christkindlmarkt will be open, along with the Christmas villages at Maria-Theresien-Platz, Schloss Schonbrunn and Schloss Belvedere (the latter two are prettier at night). The beautiful markets at Am Hof, Freyung and Spittelberg will be open until 23 December. The markets are also a great opportunity to sample local and regional foods. For a lovely day trip, take the train to Bratislava and its two Christmas markets, with plenty of food and handcrafts to enjoy.

In between, and especially on Boxing Day, take in the museums that will be open. In between Christmas and New Years take day trips to Znomo or Mikulov (CZ) for a little different culture and great Czech food. Ice skate at Stadtpark in Vienna; hike in the vineyards above the city if the weather permits and warm up with hearty heurigen fare in one of the villages on your way down. Shop at the Naschmarkt and Karmelitermarkt for groceries. Take a day trip to Zauberberg for tobogganing and skiing fun (10 connections daily from Vienna).

On New Year's Eve afternoon, walk the noisy Silvesterpfad, the New Year's Even Path through the city, enjoying entertainment, food, and drink. Bring ear protection and take in the fireworks at Heldenplatz. The next day, head to Rathaus to watch the annual Vienna Philharmonic New Year's concert broadcast on the big screen.

Happy Planning!
fourfortravel is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2014, 11:45 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
fourfortravel, your proposed itinerary looks good BUT is 13 days (arrive on the 21st, depart on 2nd). OP said 9 days max.
sparkchaser is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 12:29 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
Yes, but my imaginary itinerary spans the entire holiday period and might help them prioritize. And besides, what's a few extra days when you're having fun?
fourfortravel is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 02:18 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
9 days with travel is likely our max. The 13-day itinerary sounds lovely, though. It helps to hear the many options we have.
zammaz is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 02:36 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,548
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
You can't do Christmas Markets and NYE w/ only 9 days. Just not enough time. You use 1.5 days getting TO Europe and 1 day flying home.

9 days means you either fly out on Dec 24 arrive jet lagged mid day on Dec 25 -- and all the Christmas markets are closed. Then you fly home Jan 1 (NYE but no Markets) . . . or . . . You fly out on the 22nd, arrive on the 23rd and recover, visit a Market on the 24th, and fly home on Dec 30 (Market but no NYE).
janisj is online now  
Old Aug 30th, 2014, 04:48 PM
  #18  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We are happy to focus on one holiday or the other, with xmas being the priority since we have kids in tow. However, we read that at least in Prague the Christmas Markets continue past Christmas and someone mentioned above that Berlin's stay open, as well. If that is the case we would be able to do both. Many times we've traveled on xmas eve or xmas day b/c the air fares were lower. We did this one year to London and another to Paris.

Having said that, I think the kids would get more enjoyment out of the Xmas markets if they got to experience the pre-holiday spirit and anticipation.

Now to decide on the city. Vienna sounds great but from reading the other forums like it may be more expensive than Prague or Budapest. I'm not sure how Berlin fits in the $ array. Folks haven't commented much on Brussels/Lux, so don't know what to think about that...

But it does seem like the general sentiment coming from forum responders is that we shouldn't attempt to do more than one city.
zammaz is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2014, 08:30 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,813
Received 26 Likes on 5 Posts
Vienna is generally more expensive across the board than Prague or Budapest, especially so in the tourist areas. A lot depends on one's travel style. You can choose a schnitzel plate for €20 at Figls or €10 at StadtParkBräu, but in the end schnitzel is schnitzel. Berlin seemed to us, at least, somewhere between Vienna and Prague/Budapest. Museum admission was more on par with Vienna, but there were more price options in the tourist areas for restaurants in Berlin.

I agree that the pre-holiday markets seem merrier; on our post-Christmas visits to Prague and Berlin the markets were not at all a priority.

I've been to Brussels but not at Christmas time, and found it to be as expensive (in the tourist area) as Vienna.
fourfortravel is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
woodz99
Europe
7
May 31st, 2016 10:50 AM
ErnaGrobler4
Europe
10
Jan 2nd, 2014 09:35 PM
danon
Europe
26
Aug 25th, 2007 07:31 AM
elai
Europe
8
Sep 20th, 2005 06:26 AM
travel_chef1
Europe
4
Sep 16th, 2005 10:40 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -