lyndsey_fielding

Hey Guys,
I will be traveling with a few mates and my husband to Europe over Winter this year. we will be going for one month 13th dec till 14th jan traveling to : Zurich, Prague, berlin, Amsterdam, Paris(Christmas), London, Barcelona(new years), Chamonix(2 days of snow boarding), Rome, Florence, Venice. what are the best things to do in these areas? and what are the necessities to take with us (we will be backpacking).
any thing else that may be useful to know please feel free to add that on as well! it is my first trip over so I have no idea what im doing!
I look forward to reading your thoughts!!
Lynd's.

sparkchaser

Ignoring completely that you are trying to see too many things in too little time, here are my random thoughts:


Hit up the Christmas markets for sure.

Pack warm clothes with water resistant shells and be prepared to layer.

Barcelona should be sunny and "warmer" than the other cities on your list.

Are you going to be able to fit snowboarding gear and its associated fashion wear as well as normal day-to-day clothing and accessories in a backpack?

"Backpacking" implies hostels.

sparkchaser

Forgot to ask: how will you be traveling between cities?

annhig

I'm with sparkchaser here. You've got 11 places in 30 days or so - by the time you take off at least 1/2 a day to get from one place to another, you've lost approx 6 days in travelling, so you're down to less than 3 days to see each place, which doesn't leave much time to do anything, much, in each of them.

a good general european guide book should tell you what the major sights are in each place eg the colosseum in Rome, the canals in Venice but to get the most out of each place you'll need to be very well prepared and group the sights you want to see together. also as you're travelling over Christmas and New year, knowing what will be open and what not could be useful. and working out in advance how to get to and from the airports you will undoubtedly be seeing a lot of would also be a good idea.

Seriously, I would start a spreadsheet and start planning!

jamikins

Agree you are trying to squeeze in too much...days at that time of year are short, and it will likely be cold so pack winter jackets, scarves, gloves etc and lots of layers. Also an umbrella.

Be sure you know the transit hours of operation during the week around Xmas and NYE as it may impact how you want to travel and getting to and from airports etc.

adrienne

I agree with the above that you have too many locations in your short time. You need to carefully plan your sightseeing and decide what are your top sights to see and make note of opening days/times so you don't miss out on what you want to see.

Book hostels ahead of time so you have places to stay and either book restaurants for Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Years day or buy some food from grocery stores so you have something to eat.

Trains are usually cheaper when you book 90 days ahead and you only have 60 days before departure so you'll need to book very soon. Same with intra European flights (London to Barcelona, Barcelona to Chamonix, Chamonix to Rome).

Get food and water for long train/bus trips.

bilboburgler

If it stays dry and cold you should be fine but put in place a plan B for wet days. (nothing better than eating street food and hanging out at -5C but miserable if wet).

Rough Guide to Europe would help.

The Christmas period needs to be booked firmly (the place grinds to a halt in different places on different days). When I do these sort of rushed trips I like to wear boots as the walking can be a drag but at least your feet stay warm and dry, other than that, as the guys above say.

Tulips

Hi Lyndsey, I don't know where you are from, but Uniqlo's thermals are great and inexpensive - very light, warm. As are their down jackets. There are stores in London and Paris.

During the Christmas school holidays you will need to have your accommodation booked - that's December 21 - Jan 5. It will be difficult to find a place in Chamonix for just two days during that period. Cities also book up for the holidays.

lyndsey_fielding

hey Guys,
thanks for all of the replies, I have got a lot from your tips! I know we are trying to fit a lot in so we have booked a few flights between cities and this will hopefully save some time, otherwise we will be bussing and training it around each area. we are going to be there for alittle over a month and apart from our time in Chamonix( where we will hire our snow gear and equip) we will be spending 3 nights at each of the cities listed in my original post.

apart from warm clothes are there any must haves for traveling through Europe?
what about good place to go out drinking? any where we must go?

Ps im from Australia!
thanks again guys this is really helpful!
Lynds

jamikins

Just keep in mind 3 nights only gives you 2 full days in each place which isn't much given the daylight hours. You will also lose about 1/2 day each time you move, maybe more if you using buses and trains long distances.

janisj

>>we have booked a few flights between cities and this will hopefully save some time, <<

Actually - sometimes flying takes longer than a train (not always). Flying is definitely not quick - you need to get out to the airport, check in early and get in from the next airport. So whether flying or taking trains eats up 1/2 to one 1 full day every time you move.

You need to cut the destinations in half or double the time. Not literally - but you'd need at least two more weeks to manage all that - especially in winter when the days are short and the weather can be bad.

IMO waaaaay too much spread over waaaaay too much territory.

janisj

meant to add -- 2 days in London, 2 days in Paris, 2 days in Rome (that is about what 3 nights nets you) are woefully inadequate.

Staying the same length in say London and Zurich just doesn't make sense. One is the largest city in western Europe . . . The other, well - isn't

ribeirasacra

But begin winter time have you allowed for delays due to weather?
Hangovers from the parties at Christmas and NYE too?
Another one voting for the too many places in too many days theme....sorry

StCirq

<<so I have no idea what im doing! >>

Well, at least you said it before we did. FAR too many places for a month of travel, and trying to cover WAY to much real estate. annhig did the math for you - pay attention. And flying from one place to another doesn't necessarily help at all - it's often faster to take trains.

This looks like a trip that was conceived by throwing pushpins at a map (though at the same time it appears maybe you don't even have a map). At least a small amount of consideration needs to be given to "weighting" the "value" of Place X over Place Y, too, rather than just 2 days here and 2 days there (and yes, that's what 3 nights amounts to).

I'd start over entirely. But if you do persist, I predict you'll be about 4 days into this forced march when you change course entirely...and that's fine, too.

stokebailey

I'm pretty sure you can rent what you need to snowboard.

You won't really need to buy food in advance for Christmas in Paris -- or make a reservation for that matter -- unless you're shooting culinarily high. Wandering around the central tourist area that day (and I am envious that you'll be in that wonderful city during the holidays) you can find plenty to see, do, and eat.

stokebailey

Be sure to have some sort of compass handy for when you emerge from underground/metro stations and can't find a landmark or the sun to steer by.

lavandula

No-one has mentioned waterproof shoes / boots with a thick sole to stop the cold coming up through the bottom ... absolutely essential.

For northern Europe, especially Amsterdam, an umbrella / rainproof gear will be useful.

Be sure to be in Germany in the week/s or so before Christmas for the Christmas markets. I would even book a bit more time in Germany to take advantage of this. The markets start in late November and mostly end by the 23rd December. Fantastic atmosphere, Glühwein to keep out the cold, Christmas lights - great fun!

Lavandula

ribeirasacra

"umbrella / rainproof gear will be useful."
An umbrella the weapon of choice in any crowded city!!!!

sparkchaser

<i>what about good place to go out drinking?</i>

Fret not. Bars are all over the place.

lyndsey_fielding

ok ok! haha I get it to much in to little time!

we have booked our flights for generally early mornings and night time therefore "saving time"

we might look at bunking down in either Rome or Florence for the last 10 days of our trip, I hear venice isn't really worth it over winter anyway...

as for waterproofing I myself have an amazing pair of UGG australia "hiking" boots so ill be pretty warm in these, clothing wise we are still putting our wardrobe together ill be definitely adding an umbrella and other water proofing items. would it be better to buy in Europe or Australia?

thanks again guys!

Lynds