Relatively Inexpensive Winter Trip?

I am seriously thinking of Germany, and I know nothing about it, but I will start researching now. Too cold at that time of year?

Anyplace in more northern europe - or the Central European plain - such as Prague or Budapest - will be cold in winter (think NYC or Boston - not Siberia). Also anyplace with mountains will be cold - the higher the colder.

Probably Amsterdam would be lest cold - or London.

For somewhat warmer temps you would have to go to southern Italy or southern Spain.

Fares to Frankfurt are generally good in winter, and weather in the Frankfurt area tends to be relatively mild in winter. We were there 2 years ago in January and enjoyed ourselves, but it's best to avoid booking in smaller villages and stick to cities, where you'll have more indoor options. Germany will generally offer more affordable accommodations than most of the cities you mention.

Koblenz makes a good city base for trips to Trier, Cologne, and Marksburg Castle in Braubach (open for tours in winter - www.marksburg.de .

Freiburg and other towns near the Rhine to the south of Frankfurt have a more temperate climate as well. Strasbourg and Colmar in France's Alsace would be good daytrip options if staying in/near Freiburg.

I tend to stick to cities in the winter. Andalucia otherwise might be a good choice.

Depending on when in winter you want to go, the Christmas markets in Munich, Salzburg and Vienna are great fun. They're easily connected on the train line. We flew into Munich, spent the day there, then took the train to Salzburg. We stayed in a B&B there, which wasn't expensive, a short bus ride into town. In Vienna we paid around 95€ for a pension, in an excellent location, by the Opera House. Tickets can be very inexpensive to the Operas.

I have lots of details on our trip posted in January 2008 on this site. We went at Christmas, but if you go in December it'll be almost the same.

Thanks so much for your replies! I really and truly appreciate them . NYtraveler, I was maybe thinking of a Rome trip repeat. Airfares are a big factor. Personally I don't mind the cold at all. Russ, that sounds wonderful. BTW, I love Castles! Mjw, I agree about the cities. Thanks images, I will look up your trip report. BTW, I noticed Dl has fares to Vienna at 644$.

Hello Judy !
What about Sicily? Palermo is unique and the weather is more like north FL.

Hi Bob, good to hear from you :-, did not even think of it. Thanks for your input.

Sicily is a great suggestion. I would also highly recommend Croatia.

If you want to be chilled to the bone, try Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of France and Germany in the winter. Damp, penetrating, and it never lets up for weeks and weeks. Clouds, rain, fog. The Germans even have what they call "graupel" -- a mix of driving snow and rain that will soak through to your underwear. Given a choice, I go for Egypt.

USNR, no Eygpt for my DH. BTW, I was born in Pa and am very familiar with cold . I actually LIKE cold weather. I am really thinking about southern Germany...Munich, romantic road, etc. I have been doing some major research on Germany and Austria....looks great. I do LOVE castles.

Hi, Judy~

I vote for Germany, especially since you're already doing research about it and like castles.

You can do a mix of cities and towns/villages...castles, rivers, mountains, half-timbered buildings, Gothic or Romanesque cathedrals, museums, tons of restaurants with cozy atmosphere and fireplaces...you get the idea.

Just pack warm layers and a waterproof jacket/shell and you'll be fine.

We usually travel in the winter because it's the only time of year we can get away. We actually prefer it now because of the cheap prices, lack of tourists and general feeling that we've got the places to ourselves.

Last year, we found the prices in Germany to be quite reasonable and are planning to go back in a few months.

I don't know where you're flying from, but you can find flights from about $548 R/T between Newark and Frankfurt from January through March.

Have fun!

DH wants something different - but where? What does he like?

Hi Judy,

I really love Germany.

And if you love castles you could spend a week seeing them and they will be very romantic and fairy tale-ish.

Also, I find Germany always quite reasonable in comparison to other parts of Europe such as London, Rome, Paris...

If you would at all consider trying some great beer then I think Germany is for you.

I'm not a beer drinker myself, but I recently spent 2 weeks in Munich and found myself having a glass every evening. The beergartens/halls really grew on me. Friendly and pleasant with good hearty food.

I've been to Berlin and Munich as well as Schwangau where the Neuschwanstein and the ? (mind is blank tonight) are... lovely and scenic. I've seen photos of them in the snow and they look spectacular.

If your husband likes history at all then you must go to Berlin. It is just an amazing city with something for everyone.

gruezi

Nanbug, yes the concept of less crowds and less cost makes winter travel more appealing. Momliz, he likes history and castles too. Greuzi, I would appreciate any and all help with this trip. .

Yes, Germany is the place to go. I've returned from London today, not just expensive but dirty and so stressful.

Munich is so nice, even in winter. Been to Heidelberg last week, very nice too. No tourists right now, except for a few Japanese but they really know how to behave themselves!

Logos999, yes, Germany. I will go to the library tomorrow and get a Germany book. I am getting so excited. I NEEDED a Europe trip desperately .

We went to Brussels late last January. The weather was cold, but invigorating. We lucked out and had blue skys for three of our five days, and rain only on the say we were leaving. We took two day trips, one to Brugges and an over and back to London on the Chunnel (found a really great one day fare online). we found Brussels to be delightful and far less expensive than Paris or London. Our rt air from the midwest to Brussels was $438 pp (inc taxes & fees)--I'll bet I won't find that again this year!

i went to the mosel/rhein area once in winter and it was such a visual experience, the cold wind one day did not even bother us. the climate is milder than other parts of germany, thus its fame for productive vineyards.

delicious abundant meals, good wine, and VERY reasonalble B+Bs/hotels.

a couple days near the mosel/mittelrhein and then larger cities would make a nice combination as someone already mentioned.

if you like castles.. you will have more than you care to visit.
also, the triangle near munich is great, munich, fussen, salzburg. i have also done that in winter and it was like a fairyland.

Toulouse? Bordeaux? Madrid? Berlin?

Or go outside the EU and benefit from the exchange rate- Istanbul?

Hi, Judy. I just checked FLL to Vienna and return from Zurich for $772. It's not what it would have been last year, but it's good and open jaws will permit you to see more for less time. We did two Christmases in snow in that part of the world and loved them. Once we stayed in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the other time we stayed in Salzburg. Day trips were wonderful--Oberaummergau, Ludwig's castles from GAP, and Kitzbuhl and Vienna from Salzburg. You could also fly into Munich and leave from Vienna or vice versa.

Lodging and food can be extremely reasonable in those areas. I have trip reports that I'll try to find and send in a separate post. Any idea yet how much time you'll be spending and which months?

I'd pick the southern coast of Spain. Things to see and do and the weather isn't too bad.

Although the snow in Germany/Austria can be magical at that time of year, another place that we've come to enjoy in winter is Barcelona. We've done two trips there in February and found the weather about perfect for walking around and even sometimes dining outside for lunch under heat lamps. I'll look for those reports as well.

Here's URL for Salzburg trip report:
(hope it works)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34731978

Hi Judyrem: For what it's worth my vote would be Germany also. Don't know exactly when you will be going but in my opinion what's a little rain/snow and cold, you're on holiday. If you have a desire to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber and want to stay in a castle, below is a link to a nice one not far from Rothenburg, we stayed there for 2 nights last year and enjoyed it very much. Our room was tiny but nice, well maintained and super clean, they have a restaurant that is very good and the view is beautiful. Here's the link if you're interested:

http://www.burg-colmberg.de

We leave 12.3.2008 for 2 weeks in Germany. Can't wait to visit the Christmas markets, just magical, the smells or wursts and gluhwine await.

Have a wonderful trip,
Susan

Suspaul, that looks wonderful! Thanks for the link! Julie, dear, how ARE you? I am so glad to hear from you! I loved your Provence dinner you had for us! I still talk about it! You are the best cook and hostess. Can I email you? I think I would like to do 3 days in Vienna, train to Munich, and there day trip to a few places. I do want to do Rothenberg and Salzburg. I do not know why I did not do Germany sooner....it looks WONDERFUL. John wanted to DO other parts of Europe first, and now wants to do Germany/Austria. Lincasnova, that sounds just the thing. And Poconolady, that was a great airfare. Sheila, we have been to Istanbul and liked it very much.

Judy, please feel free to e-mail me. I can supply here if you don't still have my address. We'd love to show you video of whatever places you decide upon--or that you're considering to help you decide. Val has a new Blue Ray super high definition camera that makes everything look fantastic.