Where To Spend Christmas In Europe? Please Help With Suggestions
Nov 3rd, 2011, 06:31 AM
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Where To Spend Christmas In Europe? Please Help With Suggestions
Hi,
My wife and I would like to go to Europe next year during Christmas for a short romantic trip and we are deciding where to go. I have already been to the German Christmas markets, which I really enjoyed, and I just returned from Austria. We are looking to go somewhere we haven’t been before that is festive and beautifully decorated during Christmas time, and it would be nice to see some snow. We just started researching, but we are considering France (possibly Strasbourg or Paris), Spain, Italy, Switzerland or Scandinavia. Please help with suggestions of cities and towns. Thank you in advance for any advice!
Best regards,
My wife and I would like to go to Europe next year during Christmas for a short romantic trip and we are deciding where to go. I have already been to the German Christmas markets, which I really enjoyed, and I just returned from Austria. We are looking to go somewhere we haven’t been before that is festive and beautifully decorated during Christmas time, and it would be nice to see some snow. We just started researching, but we are considering France (possibly Strasbourg or Paris), Spain, Italy, Switzerland or Scandinavia. Please help with suggestions of cities and towns. Thank you in advance for any advice!
Best regards,
Nov 3rd, 2011, 09:42 AM
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Well, Paris is just wonderful and my T/R from last year has been recently revived, so take a look and see what you think. There is a second thread Christmas in Paris was Fantastic part 2...you can search by my user name to find it. It was posted in late Dec 2010...some missing pics are on the second T/R!
Nov 5th, 2011, 02:02 PM
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Pairs during Christmas sounds great! I talked to my wife and she thinks it is a good idea. We have never been to Paris. Do you have any other specific suggestions or tips while we are there? Thanks again!
Nov 6th, 2011, 06:21 AM
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VeeDubb, I am not sure if you mean things to see/do or travel tips.
As far as things to see we both love Musee D'Orsay. Opera Garnier is also beautiful to see. At Christmas, the markets are fun and the shops are decorated, so you get lots to see just being on the streets.
Many will disagree with me, but I am less a fan of the Louvre. There is lots to see, but you really need to do your homework to find what you are interested. The paintings there are just less appealing to me, as many of them are more religious scenes and I am a fan of Impressionism (hence, the preference for D'Orsay). I do enjoy the Greek/Egyptian antiquities at the Louvre. It is a massive place and can be very crowded, so consider going during the late evening hours (Wednesday evening, I think). It is closed on Tuesday.
I do like the Paris Museum Pass...buy it when you get there (no need to get it ahead of time). It does need to be used on consecutive days and there is a 2, 4 or 6 day version. It's not really a money saver, but it is a time saver, to me. Less waiting in line (pass holders can usually skip waiting lines). parismuseumpass.com There is a list on the site of which museums and monuments accept the pass. Make sure you know where you want to go and what days/hours are for the things you want to do...mistake that many make in Paris!!
Make sure you take small travel umbrellas and good scarves and hats to stay warm. We wore thin layers under our clothes from REI that kept us warm without bulk. I also like the little air activated hand warmers (like you would wear in gloves at a football stadium or for hunters). Great if you find your self outdoors longer than you expected. They stay warm all day.
Have you decided which arrondisement you are going to stay in? Hotel or apartment?
Consider taking the train in from CDG instead of a shuttle or taxi...less expensive and can be faster when traffic is bad.
Use carnets of tickets for the Metro and buses. Choose a location to stay in with a Metro station or a good bus line near by. Use ATMs to get Euros while you are there (notify banks ahead of time regarding your travel plans).
If you can afford it, splurge on a remarkable meal on Christmas Day. I would recommend Les Ambassadeurs for brunch but I think the hotel has been bought and is scheduled to be closed for renovations. We went to Le Cinq last year for Christmas Day lunch (at the Four Seasons)...it was very luxurious and not inexpensive but we enjoyed it. Things do shut down quite a bit on Christmas Eve in the late afternoon. They come back to life after lunch on Christmas Day. The Metro does run though.
As far as things to see we both love Musee D'Orsay. Opera Garnier is also beautiful to see. At Christmas, the markets are fun and the shops are decorated, so you get lots to see just being on the streets.
Many will disagree with me, but I am less a fan of the Louvre. There is lots to see, but you really need to do your homework to find what you are interested. The paintings there are just less appealing to me, as many of them are more religious scenes and I am a fan of Impressionism (hence, the preference for D'Orsay). I do enjoy the Greek/Egyptian antiquities at the Louvre. It is a massive place and can be very crowded, so consider going during the late evening hours (Wednesday evening, I think). It is closed on Tuesday.
I do like the Paris Museum Pass...buy it when you get there (no need to get it ahead of time). It does need to be used on consecutive days and there is a 2, 4 or 6 day version. It's not really a money saver, but it is a time saver, to me. Less waiting in line (pass holders can usually skip waiting lines). parismuseumpass.com There is a list on the site of which museums and monuments accept the pass. Make sure you know where you want to go and what days/hours are for the things you want to do...mistake that many make in Paris!!
Make sure you take small travel umbrellas and good scarves and hats to stay warm. We wore thin layers under our clothes from REI that kept us warm without bulk. I also like the little air activated hand warmers (like you would wear in gloves at a football stadium or for hunters). Great if you find your self outdoors longer than you expected. They stay warm all day.
Have you decided which arrondisement you are going to stay in? Hotel or apartment?
Consider taking the train in from CDG instead of a shuttle or taxi...less expensive and can be faster when traffic is bad.
Use carnets of tickets for the Metro and buses. Choose a location to stay in with a Metro station or a good bus line near by. Use ATMs to get Euros while you are there (notify banks ahead of time regarding your travel plans).
If you can afford it, splurge on a remarkable meal on Christmas Day. I would recommend Les Ambassadeurs for brunch but I think the hotel has been bought and is scheduled to be closed for renovations. We went to Le Cinq last year for Christmas Day lunch (at the Four Seasons)...it was very luxurious and not inexpensive but we enjoyed it. Things do shut down quite a bit on Christmas Eve in the late afternoon. They come back to life after lunch on Christmas Day. The Metro does run though.
Nov 6th, 2011, 08:11 AM
#7
If you are considering Strasbourg or Paris, those are definitely the two cities to consider, assuming that you want to experience Christmas in a big city with restaurants and activities. I would throw in Lille as an alternative idea, in case the proximity of England and Belgium appeal to you for some quick border crossings.
Nov 7th, 2011, 04:55 AM
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If you go to Paris, Strasbourg does have a beautiful Christmas market and I think you could go for a day. Someone did that in 2010 and has a T/R on Fodors' with wonderful pictures. Search for it, if you are interested.
Nov 7th, 2011, 05:55 AM
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I'm guessing that Les Ambassadeurs is wonderful for brunch. We had a very disappointing lunch there in September. There were 8 women dining and I had to pay a 300 Euro deposit because of the size of our group.
Because there were 8 of us, we had a limited menu, 2 choices each for starter, main and dessert. The service was not the best for a michelin starred restaurant (the restaurant was not full....it was a Wednesday afternoon)and the food was just OK. To top it off, the bill did not reflect our 300 Euro deposit!
We may have just hit them on an off day but have eaten at Plaza Athenee, Le Cinq, Grand Vefour, Taillevent and Pre Catalan among others. They all far surpassed Les Ambassadeurs.
Actually, our favorite dinner that trip was at Hidden Kitchen though I'm not sure they are still serving since they opened their new restaurant, Verjus.
No matter where you choose to dine, you will love Paris during the holidays!
Because there were 8 of us, we had a limited menu, 2 choices each for starter, main and dessert. The service was not the best for a michelin starred restaurant (the restaurant was not full....it was a Wednesday afternoon)and the food was just OK. To top it off, the bill did not reflect our 300 Euro deposit!
We may have just hit them on an off day but have eaten at Plaza Athenee, Le Cinq, Grand Vefour, Taillevent and Pre Catalan among others. They all far surpassed Les Ambassadeurs.
Actually, our favorite dinner that trip was at Hidden Kitchen though I'm not sure they are still serving since they opened their new restaurant, Verjus.
No matter where you choose to dine, you will love Paris during the holidays!
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