Hi,

My girl and I are trying to decide where to go for New Year's and the choice is down to Switzerland, Rome, Barcelona and Amsterdam.

1. In Switzerland we would stay in Zurich (can't change this for another city) and would visit Lugano, Geneva, Luzern and Bern. We don't know much about Switzerland but we know it is pretty expensive and that it has beautiful nature. Does the nature thing apply to these cities as well or that's only for the mountains? Is there enough to see and do there without breaking the bank?

We would stay in a hotel that's 20min tram ride from the city center, so does anyone know until what time does the public transport operates and how much are the tickets?

2. In Rome we would stay in the city center. Would visit Vatican and Pompeii and maybe something else. I know there's more than enough to see there but the Trevi Fountain, which we would love to see, would be closed due to restoration.

3. In Barcelona we would stay in the city center. Everybody says how beautiful the city is but, looking at the pictures, I don't know what is so beautiful. Is it really?

4. In Amsterdam we would also stay in city center. We have already been in Ams last new year's but we absolutely loved it but maybe it's better to see something new.

We are 24 and 22. We don't really care about night clubs or museums. We like to walk around beautiful and fun places. We want the city to have things to do and things to try like sangria in Barcelona for example (read: traditional and some would say touristy things). We like cities like Amsterdam with it's vibrancy and where everything is open 'till late. We want to be able to try some traditional food and drinks but we don't like to spend too much money in expensive and fancy restaurants on our trips. We prefer to eat in cafes, pubs and street vendors.

I like new year's and Christmassy atmosphere, which I think we wouldn't find in Barcelona. Weather is not a big issue in Amsterdam where everything is near but we wouldn't want rain in Barcelona (everything other than rain is ok).

Thank your for reading and every comment would be appreciated, cheers!

The very short daylight hours and the likelihood of rain in Amsterdam would make it very difficult to enjoy a "walking around" visit instead of museums and such.

I don't find Barcelona attractive but many other people do so I will let them describe it to you. But your chances of finding remotely pleasant weather for outdoors touring is much higher there.

Rome is pretty good too weather wise but it tends to be expensive over the holidays and even though you say you aren't interested in museums and indoor activity be aware that a lot of things do close on certain days over the holidays, so the town is rather quiet. Naples is a lot livelier, cheaper, has fab food and a blow-out New Year's Eve celebration, but it is not everybody's idea of a fun place to be.

I'm not sure about Switzerland around the holidays, especially in the cities. The ski resorts will be expensive.

Generally speaking the southern half of Europe is more celebratory of Easter than Christmas, so if you are really looking for a Christmas-y vibe, then you need to go where it is colder.

Have you considered Venice? It would be colder than Rome but lots to enjoy. You an also visit Verona for a lovely day of walking and enjoying wine and nibbles.

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...-drink-cheaply

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20.../venice.hotels

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...et-eats-drinks

<like to walk around beautiful and fun places>
You'll like the vibrant El Born district in Barcelona:
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/thi...-and-sant-pere

<We want to be able to try some traditional food and drinks but we don't like to spend too much money in expensive and fancy restaurants on our trips. We prefer to eat in cafes, pubs and street vendors>

Navia in El Born and l'Aribau close to the university in the Eixample are two of my favourite no fuss traditional cafes/restaurants in Barcelona. Affordable, traditional food, very popular with locals. For example three course lunch menu del dia with wine/beer included for some 10-12€. Excellent stews and soups at Navia, when they have simmered for some good hours, you could have a great late night meal for some 4-5€. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

l'Aribau, on a corner close to the impressive university from 1450. Here businesspeople and academics drop in for a three course lunch for some 10-12€. Salad or today's soup, grilled meat or fish with poatatoes/vegetables and dessert. Excellent place with lots of Catalan specialities. I have a soft spot for the Botifarra sausage for some 4€. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

Sandralist if we go to Barcelona we might make a one day stop in Venice just to see it since I've heard one day is enough to see everything there. I thought everything would be open in Rome, good to know. Amsterdam is perhaps one of the rare cities where I can easily walk in the rain and don't mind it, like we actually did last year. And it is true that it rains often there.

Kimhe wow those prices are really great for us to try some traditional food, I'll definitely check it out.

Thank you both for the info!

<<Sandralist if we go to Barcelona we might make a one day stop in Venice just to see it since I've heard one day is enough to see everything there.>>

How? It's not like they're close to each other. You need to fly.

First - forget Switz. It's VERY expensive and to see any nature you need to be up in the mountains - not the cities in the lowlands. Plus this is prime winter sports time - and many resorts will want you to book for a full week - and the cost doesn't make any sense unless you plan on taking advantage of all the outdoor winter activities.

I would do Rome as having potentially the best weather (Amsterdam will be cold/chilly and quite likely have sleet or snow, as well as having less to do unless you visit outlying towns) and by far the most to do. On bad weather days there is plenty to do indoors (Vatican and plenty of museums) and on days with sunshine there are plenty of ancient sights to visit and neighborhoods to explore.

Barcelona is another decent option - but IMHO does not have as much to see/do as Rome.

And sorry - you are quite likely to get some rain anywhere in winter (except Switz - when it will be snow).

We spent a great week over NYE in Rome in 2011/2012 and lucked out and had lovely weather. We were able to walk everywhere and eat lunches outside. Obviously that could be different this year.

We found Rome to be very festive - Xmas lights and decorations were out.

Trevi fountain is only one of many gorgeous fountains (one of my least favourites due to the horrendous crowds). There are many other beautiful fountains, art and statues to see.

To give you an idea you can see our pics here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637218569466/

Weather statistics for Barcelona first week of January says average temp at 57F, one day rainfall/week and average 4 hours sun/day. http://www.wetteronline.de/klima-temperatur/barcelona

BigRuss We're coming from Serbia so Venice is pretty close and we were actually thinking of stopping there first for a day if we choose Barcelona.

I see most would choose Barcelona or Rome. And I like that the weather is so nice there at the time. Beautiful pics jamikins
Is Barcelona at all festive around New Year's?
I guess when visiting Switzerland we should go to mountains which is not an option for us this time.

Thank you for your answers!

Most of the partying in Barcelona is probably done by tourists rather than locals but Barcelona is a big party destination for a lot northern Europeans so I would expect some festive street life and night life.

It does like look like 3 of the 4 people who expressed an opinion would either chose Rome (2) or Barcelona (1) but that is not a huge endorsement of either location and none of the respondents are your age. You might want to ask on some more forums or wait for more responses.

sandralist I will wait for more responses since I have time until the end of the month to decide. I did post on another forum, it just seems like almost everyone says either Barcelona or Rome.