Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Honeymoon in december

Search

Honeymoon in december

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:15 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Honeymoon in december

HI folks!!

The most important trip of my life is to be planned. I am getting married this december. ...

I am planning for my honeymoon in December, mostly from mid december to 2nd january.
About 20 days. I am planning to go to Europe. But the major concern is the weather in Europe. I was looking out for some really romantic places( good sight seeing, natural beauty, snow) , to go with some adventure and night life.

We have decided for two options:

1. trip to two countries, 10 days each.
2. trip to 3 countries, 1 week each. OR it may be like 2 countries where max time is used and 1 with 4 days to spend.

I have tagged a few of them which I and my fiance found interesting. It would also be great If we get some other place for honeymoon. The main thing that I am looking for is a good cold but not freezing weather( the -degrees) which forces to sit Indoors... as I have already been to Scotland for my studies and experienced freezing days.


. Can anyone please suggest me what to choose and why...??


Thanks and regards.
rocky2 is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:18 AM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have even tagged switzerland...
rocky2 is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:31 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 26,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
LSky is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:32 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 26,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
LSky is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:38 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
stefica01 is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:48 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 08:48 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Heimdall is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 09:36 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 26,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
LSky is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 09:52 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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 is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 11:13 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 26,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
LSky is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 01:22 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,676
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
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)
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Sep 26th, 2012, 01:26 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,676
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Not being married I think going to Yllas north of the artic circle would be best, dog sledging, northern lights, sauna, ski-doo, father christmas, cross country ski and eating sausages over wooden fires as the cold hits -15C. Ice hotel any interest.
bilboburgler is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bhavin_Trivedi
Europe
45
Mar 28th, 2013 03:29 AM
michaelmassey
Europe
15
Dec 12th, 2012 04:22 AM
naveensingal
Travel Tips & Trip Ideas
6
Oct 4th, 2011 12:49 PM
erinham
Europe
7
Jun 8th, 2010 08:38 PM
payal
Europe
11
Jul 22nd, 2004 10:44 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -