Hello, 1st time here.

I’ve reading posts about europe in winter for a while and I’m planning a trip in december this year. But I’ve tons of questions…

First, some introduction, we are a brazilian group (me, my wife and a couple of friends), I love snowboard, we never been in Europe before.

Our trip has 3 things that we don’t negotiate: Paris, a week in alps and a white Christmas

So far what I plan to do is:

December 7 – 12 – Paris
December 13 – 18 – Munich (day trips to Neuschwanstein, Dachau, Salzburg and Innsbruck, maybe)
December 19 – 26 - Breuil-Cervinia (planning to cross to Zermatt)
December 27 – 30 – Milan

We are aware about the cold, the special clothes and so on.

What we don’t know is:

Is this a good plan? We put Paris first thinking that early December won’t be so freezing, is that true?

Travel only by train is the better option? We want to avoid delays in airports due bad weather.

Is enough time to each city? Any suggestions/modifications? We cut off Zurich because it’s very expensive. One day in Zurich is worth, maybe after Munich?

We love to visit Vienna, Prague, Berlin but because of the distance we choose to stay in closer cities.

We are a little lost, and a little afraid - first trip to Europe we only speak Portuguese and English (this one very badly as you can see…) any help will be much appreciated.

First, congratulations for making this decision. Europe in winter is really great, in my opinion. I have been fortunate to be able to be there every December for the last five or six years.

First, you should visit www.bahn.com to look at train connections. You have some long travel segments, especially from Munich to Breuil-Cervinia. I think you are covering a lot of territory, and some distances might better covered with flights (Paris to Munich, for example). It appears that getting to B-C might be difficult given the rest of your travel plans. Keep in mind that there are great places with snow in the Bavarian, Austrian or Swiss Alps that might be easier to travel to.

I doubt Paris will be warm enough to really make a difference to you. It isn't the reason I would go to Paris first, but going to Paris first is a perfectly good decision. I think you have enough time in Paris.

I think you have a lot of travel around Munich. You might think about spending a night or two in Salzburg, which is really great this time of year. But I would spend more time in Munich proper than it look like you will be able to.

If you really want to get to Milan, then stick with it. But Vienna is only a four hour train ride from Munich. One alternate option would be to stick mostly with what you have for Paris and Munich, go to the Austrian Alps for Christmas, hit Salzburg (before Christmas for the markets) and then finish in Prague or Vienna. The travel time for a trip like this would be a lot less.

Travel only by train is the better option? We want to avoid delays in airports due bad weather.>

well though even trains can grind to a hat IME in Germany in cold and icy weather that is unusual and Switzerland have built their trains to run in any weather - for cities you mention trains are great and in Switzerland where trains don't go buses or gondolas do - no problem.

In Switzerland a few train rides or gondolas rides can make a Swiss Pass pay off - in Bavaria check out the Lander Cards - day passes where up to five I think folks can travel all day on regional trains and city buses and transports for 29 euros or so total - even takes you to Salzburg.

For Paris to Munich go to www.voyages-sncf.com for discountes if you can book months in advance and will not need to change or refund.

For lots of great info on European trains I always spotlight these IMO super sources - www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetraveol.com.

There is no railpass valid in all three countries that I can see being viable for you but do check out the Swiss Pass which would take you form the Austrian border (coming from Munich you go thru a slice of Austria en route to Zurich) and then to the Swiss border station of Brig. Check www.trenitalia.com for fares and booking Brig/Domodossola to Milan.

Thanks tn for all the tips and PalenQ too, those sites will help me a lot.

Tn you suggest Austrian Alps for Christmas skipping Breuil-Cervinia area and it really is much better. I was looking for a good snow sure ski resort and I came across Mayrhofen. Is it a good option? And in terms of costs?
Saalbach is an alternative but seems expensive and in my group I'm the only one who already know snowboard, so anywhere with snow in the Alps will do lol.

I still don't know where to end this trip, Milan, Vienna or Prague....suggestions?

where to end - in winter I'd go south - north can be dark and cool and wet at that time of year - unless you want to ski, of course, head south - how a bout ending in Venice - just a few hours from Milan.

Any place but Switzerland will be cheaper - or should I say - less expensive. And while it is beautiful - there are great Alps and winter sports in Germany and Austria too.

The French Alps are also amongst the very best winter-=sports resorts in Europe - Chamonix is just a short train ride Martigny, Switzerland - glaciers and great skiing.

I can't make suggestions on Austria. I have skied in the German Alps, but that is it. There are a lot of options in Austria, so you should have plenty to pick from. Maybe others would have some thoughts on this...

St Anton and Kitzbuhel are two of the most popular Austrian alpine resorts along with Innsbruck. Innsbruck is also a nice nice city.