arvindjk

Hi there.!!

I am deciding on my honeymoon trip this december and planning to celebrate Xmas n new yr also. Decided for 18 to 20 days trip.

me n my fiance decided on switzerland for sure. But not able to finalize on another place.
We were thinking of France or Italy to go with switzerland.

Can anyone please suggest me which one to choose....or any other place ....

Thanks..

foodor

Switzerland & Italy for sure.

Italy offers a lot more to see. Let say you spend 4-5 days in Switzerland, the rest of the time 14-15 days are just perfect for Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome.

Plus the weather will be a lot milder in Italy which allows you to spend more time outdoor

arvindjk

thanks for replying foodor

Are 4-5 days sufficient in switzerland...?? can you also please tell me the major places to visit in switzerland. We thought of 10 days for each place.

Wt abt france, paris-it is said as love city.
And, we were looking out for some beach place also....are there any of them in switzerland or italy or france.....

Wat about Switzerland and spain,,,>????
will there be any language problem in italy.....

foodor

Beach in December? you have to go Australia or South America for beach in December.

Switzerland is a country good for outdoor activity. Unless you plan to do a lot of skiing in Switzerland, I can't think of anything worth spending 10 days in Switzerland in December. Maybe others can help, I haven't spent much time in Switzerland, only in Zurich, Bern and Geneva. Switzerland wouldn't be my first choice of European country to visit. Why insist on Switzerland?

Why not Paris and Italy? That's the best combination for your first European trip

nytraveler

In europe there is no beach weather in December. You need to go to the Carib or SE Asia.

Switz is gorgeous - but unless you are going for winter sports - many of the things you would want to see/do are not available. Yes - you can see the mountains and head up them - but can;t really do the lakes or hiking (except in snow) and the towns will be very cold - and the days short.

If you don't want winter sports I would do Paris and Rome. Both will have winter weather (Rome slightly warmer - but can easily get snow in Dec). but since they are major cities there are tons of things to see/do indoors - for the days it's too cold for outside. (And in Rome you may get get temps of 50 or so if you're lucky. Further north in Italy will likely be colder.)

snowgirls

I second the vote for Paris and Rome. I have always felt winter would be the time to visit all the museums, galleries churches and shops in Paris, doing the indoor stuff you might not want to do when its warmer outside.

arvindjk

@foodor.
thanks for replying.
I think you are right about the beach thing.
The only reason y i wanted Switzerland is its beauty n nature.

So Switzerland fr 5 days, Italy-10days, ....Turkey- 5days ??

We don't know Italian language....will there be any problem or anything.....

mamcalice

I agree that Switzerland isn't the best place to visit in December unless you plan to ski. However, you seem eager to see Switzerland so why not Switzerland or 5 days and Italy for 15. Two weeks is not too long for Italy - you could spend weeks there and not cover all of its wonders. Forget about Turkey this time and enjoy Italy - Venice, Florence and Rome. Cities are best in winter as you can always find things to do indoors if the weather isn't nice.

And beaches? Not in Europe - go to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Australia or Thailand.

gruezi

If you plan to be in Switzerland for Christmas you must plan well in advance. Most resorts close for October up to Christmastime and the Swiss and the rest of Europe like to head for the mountains during Christmas. Yes, Switzerland is great for nature, but be sure you are interested in snowy nature... unless you are sticking to the Swiss cities when you are more likely to see the typical Swiss gray clouds at that time of year.

There are no beachy places in any of your three countries at the time of year you describe... also "beach" in Italy is different from "beach" in the US if that is where you are from. Switzerland is landlocked and lakes are the thing - but not in December.

suze

My favorite Europe trip so far was a 3-week one and we did Vevey/Montreux (i have friends there), Venice, and Paris. It was perfection.

PalenQ

for New Year's Eve fun you may want to head south to Italy where the weather will be warmer - maybe quite warm in say Rome and also a city they celebrate New Year's Eve with more gusto than buttoned-down roll up the sidewalks Switzerland IME (except perhaps in a place like Zurich).

In Switzerland if there a week or so strongly investigate the Swiss Pass, which covers all trains, city trams and buses, postal buses and gives 50% off expensive aerial cable ways to summits of various Alps - an 8-day consecutive-pass can cover virtually all your transportation if not driving and also the pass gets you into over 400 museums and sights free - for lots of great info on Swiss trains, passes (and alternatives to them like the Half-Fare Card, Swiss Card and Swiss Transfer ticket I always spotlight these IMO superb sites - www.swisstraelsystem.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id3.html and www.ricksteves.com.

In Italy if just going to a few cities like Venice, Florence or Rome check www.trenitalia.com - Italian Railways web site for discounted online tickets that though can be in practice hard to change or refund so be sure of your time of travel or just wait until there to buy regular tickets - never a problem getting on trains IME in either country.

arvindjk

thanks a lot PalenQ.

What About christmas and new year.....where would it be nice....if i select swiss n italy....

and do i need to learn italian language...?? or few words would do it...

nytraveler

English is very widely spoken in all tourist areas of Italy - although of course you should learn the basic greetings and polite phrases at least (just like going to any country).

And do realize that Italy being warmer is relative - it's still not going to be very warm - chilly and rainy is more likely. Also, since it is off season, some sights will be open shorter hours - perhaps from 9 am to 1 or 2 pm - rather than until 6 pm or so.

otherchelebi

I did read the word Turkey and feel that I have to respond.

here are some interesting alternatives for those five days you may have for Turkey :

- Two days in Istanbul. Fabulous metropolis, former capital of at least three large empires with historic remnants of all and a life style that is also fast and exotic. very romantic hotels on the most beautiful sea route in the world separating two continents, with rooms having terrific reviews, bebek hotel, Four Seasons Bosphorus, Ciragan Kempinsky, Radisson Blue, Sumahan. Great night life, good food, bars and clubs.

Additional two or three days at Cappadocia. The alien landscape of fairy chimneys, 2000 year old underground cities, hikes and balloon rides, staying at boutique cave hotels.

- 2-3 days Istanbul, and

2-3 days Antalya/Alanya. Beach for sunbathing if not swimming. antique cities on the Lycian way. Pine forests reaching the sea from high mountains with their tops covered in snow. Possible jeep safaris into wild mountains to spot wild mountain goats. 3-7 star hotels, simple to grand luxury.

nytraveler

Perhaps you didn't read that the OP is traveling in December. Antalya weather highs are listed at 60 degrees - awfully chilly for sunbathing - never mind swimming.

Granted probably warmer than Rome - but not summer weather.

DAX

Hi Arvind,
If you are looking for a a swiss honeymoon in a cozy chalet in the snow and Christmas markets in the Alps, you may find these websites helpful to give you ideas on where to go and what to do in Switzerland in the winter.

https://www.alpenwild.com/trip?trips_id=19
http://www.smarttravels.tv/SmartTrav...witzerland.htm

DAX

In case you miss Indian cuisine during your travel, these websites will help you find Indian restaurants which may be harder to find in Switzerland than in France or Italy:

http://www.indianfoodsguide.com/indi...e/switzerland/

http://indianrestaurantitaly.com/

http://www.eat-out.net/restaurant/paris/indian

jill_h

Switzerland and Italy hands down. A few words of Italian will take you far. Many/most Italians speak some English.

In Switzerland, we stayed in the Lauterbrunnen Valley outside Innsbruck, but it was in September. Beautiful weather then.

Italy is our second favorite country. We've done Rome, Venice and Sicily.

WildWanderings

A word of caution: Lauterbrunnen Valley is not outside Innsbruck (that is in Austria). Probably jill_h wanted to write "Interlaken".

arvindjk

Thanks to all.

I was also wondering should I go through some travel agent who will arrange complete trip for me or plan it on my own.....as i am not completely aware about all the places.
I do not want to miss out on any thing due to lack of my information.

Can anyone please give me a brief itinerary of how it would be...

We r planning from 15th december to 5th january and finalized with Switzerland and Italy......