Governator

Planning a vacation 2 people, from JFK, Dec 24(25 arrival) to 31. Looking to keep total costs to around 2500-3000, i.e. flight no more than 950/pp.

Already been to: London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Brussels, Prague, Vienna, Seville (without wife.)

Considering: Marseilles (flights around 740/pp), Lisbon (flights around 940/pp), Stockholm (flights around 650/pp) .

I know Stockholm would be cold, but is it more interesting than the other 2?

Any other suggestions?

sparkchaser

What exactly do you want out of the trip?

Personally, I'd go to either Malaga (for sun and tapas) or Munich (beer and hearty game dishes).

Governator

Here's a link to google flights.

http://tinyurl.com/ho7ohv3


Forgot to mention: Already been to Athens.

Another place to consider where we haven't been (but might not be nice weather wise): Berlin

sparkchaser

I wouldn't have weather be a deciding factor. The weather could be crappy in any city at that time of the year. Berlin is a good choice though.

Governator

"What exactly do you want out of the trip?"

Someplace where when I come back, I'll say that was fascinating, I'm glad I spent the 3K to go there

I'm into photography so someplace where I can take good pictures. We're into the usual stuff, food, art, architecture, history, fun.

Can't put my finger on it, but, that special something that makes Europe so interesting.

Good weather would be a plus, but not essential.

sparkchaser

In that case, I am going to reiterate Malaga. The Costa del Sol *should* be sunny and it will put you in range of Granada and Cordoba and the wealth of photo opportunities there.

Christina

You can get to Barcelona for $900 on KLM/Delta. I know you don't want to go there, though, since you've been already. I do like Marseille but can't imagine spending a week there, and I don't think Provence is that enticing at that time of year weather-wise, but you could rent a car or even take the train to some other places down there.

I prefer cities for winter vacations, though, you can spend a week in some of those cities, but not sure I'd want to in Marseille.

Haven't been to Stockholm or Lisbon.

You can get from JFK to/from Malaga, Spain for about $950 on Air Europa. I'm not familiar with them, they are a Spanish airline, but they partner wtih Delta so I would hope can't be too bad. From Malaga, you could visit Granada and some other places.

Governator

I've actually already been, without my wife, to Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Jerez, Ronda, Arcos.

It's tempting to go again as it was truly fascinating and I would like for her to see it someday, but probably not on this trip.

Does Malaga on it's own make a great place to go to for a week?

sparkchaser

Malaga itself? Probably not.

jamikins

We spent s week in Lisbon and Sintra over NYE a few years ago and loved it.

Here are our pics
https://flickr.com/photos/[email protected]

Underhill

Head to Nice, which is great fun around Christmas. Good light displays (and in the surrounding towns as well) and much to see and do.

Bedar

Go to Morocco ! esp. Marrakech will have great weather. Royal Air Maroc flies out of JFK.

Governator

The under $1000 flight to Nice has a very long layover. Marrakesh flight is $1200 plus, $950 is my upper limit (would prefer under $900 if possible.)

Bedar

Under $900 for Christmas week ? Think you're dreaming.

WoinParis

Sicily. Or Belgium. Of course Belgium.

Governator

We've been to Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and loved it. Sicily sounds interesting, I'll look into that.

Bedar the choices may not have sunny weather, but, under 900 is definitely doable. Morocco is a place we'd love to see; on my bucket list, but not for this trip. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

Governator

WoinParis,

Unfortunately, flight to Sicily is over 1200/pp.

I just noticed, Corsica meets my parameters.

Anyone been there?

Governator

I made a decision and booked my flight. We're going to Florence, Italy (flying into Bologna.) Never been there. Hopefully we'll get nice weather.

bvlenci

I've been there. There are some nice towns, such as Bastia, Ajaccio (birthplace of Napoleon), Bonifacio. I don't know what it's like in the winter. We were there in September. Most of the towns of any size are on the coast, which could be stormy in late December. The interior is nountainous and forested, and the population density is low.

Governator

bvlenci,

Thanks for your response re Corsica. After I asked about it, I did a little research and determined, as you say, December weather is not likely to be good.