Kate_Smith

I'm going to Europe for 3 weeks what countries do you recmomend in December?

(I'll be starting in Germany)

jane1144

In order to get the responses you are hoping for, I would you suggest you provide more info; age, interests, budget in Euros per day, actual dates of your trip, etc., etc.

marvelousmouse

Well, if it's the beginning of December, I'd stay in Germany the whole time. Christmas markets are very festive, German food is great during the winter, and it's generally an inexpensive country.

But it depends completely on your interests and your budget. You can go anywhere in December.

PalenQ

Trains can easily take you to nearby Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy for starters. Do you want to see the biggie tourist cities which in winter makes sense as trekking thru museums is often nicer than through rain!

How about

Germany- one week

Night train Munich to Rome
Florence
Venice

all in say 10 days - maybe a day trip from Rome to Pompeii or other place.

and night train Venice to Paris for ending. fly into Germany and out of Paris - but as others say it all depends on interests but I think weather could be a big factor to some - can sit outside and watch the human comedy in Italy not usually in Germany or Paris or north of the Alps.

For lots on trains and where to go check www.ricksteves.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.seat61.com.

elberko

Have you done any research since you first asked the identical question in July? And August...
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...here-to-go.cfm

We can't know what your family would like.

gfeibleman

That is a tough one as you can easily spend 3 weeks in Italy or France or many other countries. Depends on if you want the "greatest hits," big cities, small towns, travel by train/car? etc. It may be hard to beat seeing the alps in Switzerland by train in December. If I wanted to see a variety of Europe in 3 weeks in December I would be conscious of weather and try to limit my search to different cultures. You are starting in Germany but you are not saying whether you have to end there.
I'd try to hit 2 major spots in 4 cities. The problem with many small towns is that the only way to get around is on foot and that may not be much fun in December. But ignoring weather, I'd suggest a variety:

Italy: Florence, Rome, (maybe Venice but I am partial to the lake country)
Switzerland: If you alps look at doing an alps scenic train trip
Austria: I just find Innsbruck a wonderful city that you could easily do 3 day sin
France: Paris
Nederland: Amsterdam

Sassafrass

Not meaning to be snarky, but you are going to Europe for three weeks with a family, in winter. Have you done any research at all to figure out what you are interested in? Perhaps it comes across this way because you do not know what to ask or what information to give in order to get help, but from your other posts, and now this one, you seem kind of clueless about traveling and Europe. I am giving a few suggestions, but you have some big decisions to make, and pretty soon, if you are still taking 8 people this December, about 9 weeks from now. Beside arriving in Germany, do you not have a single other idea for a place you would like to visit? Do none of the other adults or teens have anything or place they would like to see?

Are you still traveling with 2 children, 3 teens and 3 adults? Are you still wanting to rent a car? With 8 people and luggage, you would need some kind of van. Reconsider that in winter, when it gets dark early and you may run into bad weather.

Do you have tickets already? Are they RT? If you have not booked, then do multi-destination, into Germany and out of another city. What is your arrival city?

Germany is great at that time of year for Christmas markets - music, food, gingerbread, etc. and charming villages, as well as city activities.

After that, do you want:
Winter activities like sledding, skiing, seeing mountains and snow?
Museums, architecture, famous landmarks, monuments, churches, history?
Special foods?

While you may travel less by going in a line and stopping in each place, you would waste a lot of time checking in and out of hotels, plus driving time in winter, so with that many people, I would pick three bases for at least five nights each and do some day trips, with perhaps a couple more places for three nights, depending on exactly how many nights you have. You want to end in your departure city.

If you want snow and mountains, then Southern Germany, Austria and/or Switzerland, and others can help you with Switzerland.

Coming from Germany, consider Vienna and Salzburg.

Look at combining that with a large city with lots of interesting things for teens and kids. Paris would be good. So would Barcelona or Rome, but London would be fantastic! It has many indoor activities, museums, etc. even some Theater which would be great for all ages.

Sassafrass

OK, Kate, I will bite. Are you for real or just a troll?

Per your other post, you wish to see 7 countries in 21 days, landing in Germany and returning for Christmas holidays in Germany, so that leaves just 15 days for the other 6 countries. Can't do that!

You budget is $5,000 per person, including the kids, and you hope to keep to $40,000 total. Can do that!

janisj

Here is the OP's other thread . . .

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-708230-2.cfm

now start over

janisj

. . . per the other thread -- she wants to do a road trip . . . through 8 countries (Germany twice) . . . with EIGHT people . . . in one car.

marvelousmouse

Well...

Maybe she's filming a true crime documentary called "nightmare family vacations". That's all I got. I vote troll if that's not the case.

Kate, you do realize that it's winter in these places? I mean, it's dark and cold and wet. Driving won't be fun, parking won't be fun, and I don't think you'd see much outside of the car with that itinerary. The kids are going to snap and eat you after that much time in whatever vehicle you find that fits 8 people.

bilboburgler

I'd find an inn with a large wood burning stove, good internet, swimming pool and skis and dig in. Finland above the artic circle for me, of course it will be dark all day long.

PalenQ

Yeh stray south from Germany and be able to stroll around without bundling up - sit at outdoor cafes in Rome rather than dodging rain in northern Europe?