...I was 16 and that was a loong time ago! We live in Asia now but know little about Europe. Younger daughter is spending spring semester in Toulouse and we thought we could round up Daughters 1 and 2 (ages 22 and 19) and meet in Paris at Christmas. The weather won't be lovely, but we probably won't care as lots of the sightseeing and of course cafes will be indoors.

We'll have at least 10 days, maybe two weeks. Where else? Start with another big city, like Rome? Stick to France? Travel through pretty towns or villages on the way to Toulouse, which is where we'd like to end up?

Basic questions I know, but all our recent explorations have been in Asia. I hope you have some suggestions.

Paris and Rome together sound good to me.

Venice would also be a good choice, in my opinion, because that will be one of its less-crowded times. When I visited both Venice and Rome around that time, Venice was definitely less-crowded.

That's not to say your plan of visiting elsewhere in France is not a good one too - I just can't advise on that. I do like visiting big cities in winter, because there are lots of after-hour activities like concerts you can attend when it might not be otherwise pleasant enough to stroll for hours after dark.

So -- maybe we could fly into Rome for Christmas, fly to Paris, train to Toulouse? Does that sound reasonable?

Speaking of reasonable, I'm guessing from other posts that apts in Rome and Paris would be more reasonable than hotels. True? Not as festive, though, at holiday time. Are restaurants open in Rome for Christmas?

One of the regular Fordorites spent last years' holidays in Paris and Rome and did Apartments. She'll read your question and someone will maybe add the trip report for you here. She has 2 sons (I think) and GREAT pictures too.

They are festive! One can, after all, still manage a wee-tree if its your preference.
I'd stay in France the whole time if it were me frankly, just because it is the Holidays as well.
I'll return in Rome in November, maybe my francophilia will be tempered a bit by then...and I'll suggest splitting the time. But until I know for sure...France.

Hi JG,

With two weeks, I suggest flying to London for Xmas - 4 nights. (Harrods has an after-xmas sale).

Then fly to Toulouse (see www.whichbudget.com) - 3 nights, train to Paris - 6 nights, and home from there.

Ira, You're right - a great plan, but London is really the only city in Europe I've been to recently, so I'm eager to see something new. I've also heard it is an easy 4 hour train trip from Toulouse to Barcelona. thanks for the website, too.

SuzieCll, where else in France would YOU go?