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-   -   December Holiday (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/december-holiday-1031983/)

reutiz Dec 12th, 2014 03:23 AM

December Holiday
 
I'm in the planning stage for a holiday on December 2015 with my wife and we are thinking of either France, Germany, Switzerland or Austria, although we have been to Austria and Switzerland already, but not is December. We never have travelling in December. With regards to weather wise, where is the best place? I know that it will be cold, but I wan't to find the best one. Its not a problem if there will be still some snow. I want to find somewhere that if there is snow or rain the transport system doesn't come to halt for example.

Thanks.

swandav2000 Dec 12th, 2014 03:37 AM

Hi reutiz,

I think you need to define "best" so we can give you useful information. Do you mean most scenic countryside, most vibrant cities, best ski destinations, cheapest, etc.

I live in Germany and travel often to Switzerland; I can tell you that the transport system doesn't come to a halt because of rain or snow. If there is an avalanche or a rock fall, then, yes, things will come to a stop. But for normal or even severe weather, the trains and busses will run.

Have fun as you plan!

s

reutiz Dec 12th, 2014 04:00 AM

Best I mean not as a scenic or cities..best I wanted to mean with good weather for that month..I know its not going to be always sunny.

sparkchaser Dec 12th, 2014 04:19 AM

Good weather in Germany in December? Nobody can predict what the weather will be like next December.

So far for December 2014 in my neck of the woods it has been cold, gray, and wet and we had snow one morning which lasted about three hours before melting.

If you must plan, plan on dreary, cold, and wet. You might get lucks and it will be cold and dry with sun.

nytraveler Dec 12th, 2014 04:34 AM

Expect cold with intermittent chilly rain, sleet or snow - depending on specific area of the countries and altitude. Snow is far more common in the mountains, even in Dec (early winter).

Unless there is an unprecedented blizzard the roads will be quickly cleared and trains run unless there is a massive storm.

Of more importance is that you have the proper clothing - winter coat, hat, gloves/mittens and scarf as well as warm winter boots (with warm lining and non-skid clothes for icy surfaces). Warm sweater and pants (cords probably better than wool). Women should not count on high heel fahsion boots but on low or flat heel walking/snow boots. Note that wearing good leather boots in snow all day can ruin the leather.

And there is no way to tell the weather any place more than a couple of days in advance.

Christina Dec 12th, 2014 08:36 AM

The trains don't run in some places if there is too much snow, they just can't. They don't where I live in the US, for example, although it isn't common, but for a real blizzard, they won't run and if there is a couple feet of snow they may not run for a while. I think they've had to stop them in France occasionally, also.

Sojourntraveller Dec 12th, 2014 08:56 AM

I don't see the sense in your question. It appears by 'good' weather you mean warm and sunshine. Obviously none of the places you have listed will give you that. As noted above, it will by snowing, raining, cloudy, etc. Yes there may be some sunny days but it's never going to be warm.

You might do better by saying what it is you want to DO with your time reutiz.

reutiz Dec 12th, 2014 10:30 AM

By good weather I meant no hurricans or too much flooding. I know that during that time Europe will be cold and raining or snowing. What I wanted to check is from the above countries which one is at least better then the other in terms of weather for example in France will mainly is windier then in Austria..something like that. I will mainly be targetting cities for museums attractions and christmas markets.

quokka Dec 12th, 2014 01:59 PM

There are no such general weather rules.

We have no hurricanes in Europe, for which we are glad. The occasional gale can occur (the northwestern regions just had one today). Blizzards the way they have them regularly in North America are also extremely rare.
Flooding cannot be predicted.

The weather is always a lottery and cannot be planned. Decide what you want to do and pick the best destinations for that. The keyword "Christmas markets", for example, will limit your choices and point you more to the German-speaking culture. A lot also ndepends on your travel dates. For Christmas markets you should come before the holidays, not on Christmas itself.


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