I have even tagged switzerland...

Go where you'd like to go, but dress for the weather. It's difficult for anyone to say where it will not be freezing.

We went to Paris in Feb and I've never been so cold in my life, it was wet and freezing. Then I've been to Germany in March with lots of snow and wasn't as cold as I was in Paris.

I'm sure someone will know more than I do about this because I've lived in a sunny climate most of my life.

The key is the humidity. The wet seems to make it colder, I imagine like in Scotland.

Switzerland might be the place to go. If I were you, I'd go places where people go to ski. Hotels will be open and there will be things to do.

sorry if this doesn't help but I didn't want your question to sink, as I'd like to read the answers you get

best wishes

Congrats on your upcoming wedding. My husband and I spent winter travelling in EU. My idea for you would be 3 countries over three weeks - Italy, France, Spain. It sort of flows directionally and there are good options for train travel or cheap flights. You could fly into Rome, spend a day or two recovering and sightseeing there - then go south to Amalfi coast (Sorrento, etc). Which is beautiful. Daytrip to Pompei maybe?

When done in Italy, pick a spot on the French Riviera (Nice, Marseille) and head to that region and explore, enjoy some French food.

Then go to Barcelona for the final week. I suggest this because we were there last year at that time. The weather was good, and lots of things are open even on holidays. NYE is amazing and the city has holiday light displays hung up all over. It's a thriving beautiful city with much to see, and some great day trip options.

Such a journey gives you access to three distinct cuisines, gives you some warmer southern weather (Italy, Barcelona) but travel through amazing mountains (if you go by rail). The riviera will be a bit chilly then though, but nice to visit in quieter times.

If you really want to see snow (and just see it - or actually spend time on winter sports) you are going to have to go where's it's freezing - or you wold just have cold rain.

As for dec weather - there is no guarantee of exactly what temps you will get where - but it can easily be freezing anywhere north of the Alps - and sometimes south of them too.

The key is to plan a vacation with mostly indoor things - unless you do want winter sports - and bring a wardrobe that adapts to all options. You will want a heavy winter coat, hat, glove, scar and non-skid boots - along with several sets of shirts and sweaters to layer - unless you head for southern Spain or Sicily - where temps are more moderate.

I don;t understand the cold but not freezing part. In winter freezing is quite common unless you're quite far south.

Hi, and congratulations! My first reaction was the same as LSky's, to go to a winter sports centre, e.g. Engelberg in Switzerland, which has lots to do even for non-skiers. Bear in mind, though, that it will be very busy over the Christmas - New Year holiday period. You could combine that with Italy, which will be a bit warmer, especially in the south.

Wouldn't Italy and Spain be wetter and freezing (like my trip to Paris in Feb)?


Was there something about that huge blanket of snow in Germany in March that felt warmer? It seems like it was dryer in Germany?

In essence does freezing feel better than cold rain? I thought my nose would fall off in Paris.

Your nose doesn't fall off until you get to Siberia - where it's 60 below. Yes, being damp and windy makes it feel colder - perhaps by 10 degrees or so. But zero still feels a lot colder the mid 30's and raining.

And snow counts as precipitation too - not a blanket of it on the ground, but the falling stuff.

I think the OP needs to identify how cold they want it and what they want to do. You're really going to get warmish only in southern Spain and perhaps Sicily - and that's only in comparison to farther north.

In Greece the islands are essentially shut in midwinter and the mainland can get quite cold - as in snow in the mountains.

So the OP needs to decide on a temperature range (please give numbers - I don't get "good cold but not freezing" and a type of activities.

nytraveler, I can't imagine what it must be like in nose-falling temps, and I hope I never find out. Note to self: Avoid Russia in the winter.

You are right, rocky needs to be a little more specific about activities.

And what does "natural beauty" really mean? Some people love the ocean in the wintertime others are depressed by the grey bleakness.

My husband and I marveled at snow covered fields and frozen lakes. I loved getting up early and crunching through new fallen snow but I'm from So Cal and was easily amused.

Winter travel is great for many indoor activities like museums.

Congrats, but I can see the problem. I see the choices as

1) Go fully winter based (switzerland, Austria sweden, finland (father christmas), Norway in December is most likely to have the white stuff
2) Christmasy, look at Germany
3) Snow and spas, look at Hungary (along the spa line) with the odd bit of snow in the tatras
4) best chances of warmth, Portugal/spain south coast, Azores, Canaries, Sicily
5) North Africa, Marrakesh is still very open and safe and normally hot. There are a number of ops here, top of the range hotel or riad. (Riad would be romantic)