Help! If you were us, where would you go for Christmas?

Our family of 4 (DH, 14yoDS, 23yoDD, and me) are looking for a Christmas-time trip. It's our last family trip before DD leaves for the Peace Corps and we're considering 10 days in Europe (or Belize, but that's another post.) We love cities, old ruins, great art (3 of us anyway), hiking, good food and interesting culture. We don't ski. We're considering Vienna/Salzburg, Paris, Rome or Switzerland.

Please help us figure out where to go at Christmas this year by sharing your opinions. Where would you go? Have you been there in December?

Though I've never been to Europe in December, I think Vienna/Salzburg at Christmas would be so lovely! With 10 days you could even throw in Munich...

I like warm. Our family is doing a cruise over Christmas/New years

I love warm too. My family says they don't want to go to Hawaii again - can you believe it? I've never loved Mexico and I'm a little worried Belize will be crowded and similar to Mexico.

I'm leaning towards Vienna/Salzburg or Vienna/Paris or Vienna/Rome. We were in Vienna once, 10 years ago, and loved it.

The Christmas markets all over Germany shouldnt be missed!

Munich, Berlin and Cologne and Salzburg in Austria.

Rome certainly offers all you are looking for (old ruins, great art, good food and interesting culture). I have never been to Europe in December, but did make a Thanksgiving trip to Rome and Venice a couple of years ago with my wife and teenage daughters. We intentionally chose southern Europe out of fear that the weather would be too cold (we are Houstonians and used to warm weather). We found it a great time to visit (smaller crowds but still pleasant to be outside with a light jacket). We were lucky and encountered rain only a couple of days.

Like you, we have always opted for the beach at Christmas time. When the family became bored with Hawaii (yes, I was floored as well) we began to explore the Caribbean. Last year we enjoyed Tortola BVI so much, we are returning again this year.

Whatever you decide I am sure you will have a wonderful trip!

Thanks newesttraveler -
My husband was looking at BVI last week. I was concerned about an overabundance of holiday tourists - what has your experience been?

Road Town can become crowded on days when the cruise ships come into Tortola, but for the most part beaches are not at all crowded.

Tortolla is more laid back and less develWe rented a house on the north side of the island (oposite Road Town) at the top of the hill between Brewer's Bay and Cane Garden Bay. IMO, if you are staying for a week or more renting a home is the way to go.

However, if you are looking for this Christmas you may have difficulty finding a place. Tortola is small island (about 10 square miles) with limited accommodations (hence the lack of crowds). We made our reservations last February, but you might luck into a cancellation.

Sorry, I hit "post" before I intended. Here is what I meant to say...

Road Town can become crowded on days when the cruise ships come into Tortola, but for the most part beaches are not at all crowded.

Tortolla is more laid back and less developed than what you probably experienced in Hawaii. None of the big fancy resorts, just relaxed island living. We rented a house on the north side of the island (opposite Road Town) at the top of the hill between Brewer's Bay and Cane Garden Bay. IMO, if you are staying for a week or more renting a home is the way to go.

However, if you are looking for this Christmas you may have difficulty finding a place. Tortola is small island (about 10 square miles) with limited accommodations (hence the lack of crowds). We made our reservations last February, but you might luck into a cancellation.

Edinburgh:- gives you cities, proximity to ruins, art, proximity to hiking, food, and culture (if you can call Hogmanay culture.

I think you'd enjoy it a lot.

Vienna at this time of year can't be beat, book an apartment, settle in and enjoy!

We have wanted to go to Scotland - I think we'll save that for the summer when there's not so much darkness. We have that at home!

I really am tempted to go to Vienna...I think it sounds magical. I'll research apartments there.

Not quite the polar opposite from Vienna, but thought I'd recall a Christmas I spent many years ago in Aigues Mortes in the Camargue (south of France.) The Camargue is very picturesque and atmospheric in the winter; the weather was not bad, and we could tour to places like Avignon or Nimes easily. Although it's a tourist destination in the summer, in the winter we were among some of the very few visitors, and felt like locals in the cafes and bars. It was a memorable and cozy time.

Hello rosetravels;
Vienna is a magical place during this time, many Chistmas markets (Don't forget to sample the wonderful Punsch at the stalls) in a city that is so wonderfully decorated. I recommend trying this site for apts:
http://www.apartment.at/index_eng.php3
We have rented from the Kaminek's, who have apts 15 min from city center in Floridsdorf, many times, Ilona is a wonderful landlady. If you wish apts closer in try Apartments Augarten run by the Familie Walkner, Beatrix is another great landlady. Both the Kaminek and Walkner apts are listed on the link I have included. If you wish an apt in this beautiful city,you had better make inquiries right now as they book up VERY quickly. Here is my links page for other things in Vienna, if you nedd further help you can email me through the site. You'll love beautiful Wien!

Oops!
http://austria.starkeconcepts.com/Links.htm
forgot to give you the link!

Venice, Venice, Venice

We had originally planned to do this Christmas in Oberstdorf, Germamy, but in the end opted for the Vienna/Salzburg trip (bracketed by short stays in Baden-Baden, Germany, and an overnighter in Regensburg). We will be in Vienna the week before Christmas and will be spending the actual Christmas holidays in Salzburg. As my husband gets grumpy in crowds, we decided not to stay in the old town but in the more rural outskirts of the city near the Schloss Hellbrunn. The parkland and woods around Hellbrunn offer plenty of walking possibilities and we will also visit some of the nearby towns like St. Gilgen.

But any of your possibilities sound great. For the actual Christmas holidays, you should book your hotel soon, esp. for Salzburg...it's a very popular time to be there. If you don't stay in an apartment, try to find a hotel with a restaurant that will be open Christmas day.

I'd go to Switzerland because it is so gorgeous there.

I don't think Belize is particularly similar to Mexico, but you might dislike both for the same reasons.

Well our plans are made! We're flying into Paris and out of Rome, with a sleeper train ride when we switch locales. We'll be a week in each place and we're very, very excited. Thanks everyone for weighing in!

Btilke,
How was Baden Baden??? We are thinking about going there for week after Christmas. We are living in Geneva without family and want to go someplace nice..itis generally very quiet here at Christmas...no snow here yet, so skiing probably not an option.