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-   -   Honeymoon in december (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/honeymoon-in-december-951783/)

rocky2 Sep 26th, 2012 08:15 AM

Honeymoon in december
 
HI folks!!

The most important trip of my life is to be planned. I am getting married this december. :) ...

I am planning for my honeymoon in December, mostly from mid december to 2nd january.
About 20 days. I am planning to go to Europe. But the major concern is the weather in Europe. I was looking out for some really romantic places( good sight seeing, natural beauty, snow) , to go with some adventure and night life.

We have decided for two options:

1. trip to two countries, 10 days each.
2. trip to 3 countries, 1 week each. OR it may be like 2 countries where max time is used and 1 with 4 days to spend.

I have tagged a few of them which I and my fiance found interesting. It would also be great If we get some other place for honeymoon. The main thing that I am looking for is a good cold but not freezing weather( the -degrees) which forces to sit Indoors... as I have already been to Scotland for my studies and experienced freezing days.


. Can anyone please suggest me what to choose and why...??


Thanks and regards.

rocky2 Sep 26th, 2012 08:18 AM

I have even tagged switzerland...

LSky Sep 26th, 2012 08:31 AM

Go where you'd like to go, but dress for the weather. It's difficult for anyone to say where it will not be freezing.

We went to Paris in Feb and I've never been so cold in my life, it was wet and freezing. Then I've been to Germany in March with lots of snow and wasn't as cold as I was in Paris.

I'm sure someone will know more than I do about this because I've lived in a sunny climate most of my life.

The key is the humidity. The wet seems to make it colder, I imagine like in Scotland.

Switzerland might be the place to go. If I were you, I'd go places where people go to ski. Hotels will be open and there will be things to do.

LSky Sep 26th, 2012 08:32 AM

sorry if this doesn't help but I didn't want your question to sink, as I'd like to read the answers you get :)

best wishes

stefica01 Sep 26th, 2012 08:38 AM

Congrats on your upcoming wedding. My husband and I spent winter travelling in EU. My idea for you would be 3 countries over three weeks - Italy, France, Spain. It sort of flows directionally and there are good options for train travel or cheap flights. You could fly into Rome, spend a day or two recovering and sightseeing there - then go south to Amalfi coast (Sorrento, etc). Which is beautiful. Daytrip to Pompei maybe?

When done in Italy, pick a spot on the French Riviera (Nice, Marseille) and head to that region and explore, enjoy some French food.

Then go to Barcelona for the final week. I suggest this because we were there last year at that time. The weather was good, and lots of things are open even on holidays. NYE is amazing and the city has holiday light displays hung up all over. It's a thriving beautiful city with much to see, and some great day trip options.

Such a journey gives you access to three distinct cuisines, gives you some warmer southern weather (Italy, Barcelona) but travel through amazing mountains (if you go by rail). The riviera will be a bit chilly then though, but nice to visit in quieter times.

nytraveler Sep 26th, 2012 08:48 AM

If you really want to see snow (and just see it - or actually spend time on winter sports) you are going to have to go where's it's freezing - or you wold just have cold rain.

As for dec weather - there is no guarantee of exactly what temps you will get where - but it can easily be freezing anywhere north of the Alps - and sometimes south of them too.

The key is to plan a vacation with mostly indoor things - unless you do want winter sports - and bring a wardrobe that adapts to all options. You will want a heavy winter coat, hat, glove, scar and non-skid boots - along with several sets of shirts and sweaters to layer - unless you head for southern Spain or Sicily - where temps are more moderate.

I don;t understand the cold but not freezing part. In winter freezing is quite common unless you're quite far south.

Heimdall Sep 26th, 2012 08:48 AM

Hi, and congratulations! My first reaction was the same as LSky's, to go to a winter sports centre, e.g. Engelberg in Switzerland, which has lots to do even for non-skiers. Bear in mind, though, that it will be very busy over the Christmas - New Year holiday period. You could combine that with Italy, which will be a bit warmer, especially in the south. :-)

LSky Sep 26th, 2012 09:36 AM

Wouldn't Italy and Spain be wetter and freezing (like my trip to Paris in Feb)?


Was there something about that huge blanket of snow in Germany in March that felt warmer? It seems like it was dryer in Germany?

In essence does freezing feel better than cold rain? I thought my nose would fall off in Paris.

nytraveler Sep 26th, 2012 09:52 AM

Your nose doesn't fall off until you get to Siberia - where it's 60 below. Yes, being damp and windy makes it feel colder - perhaps by 10 degrees or so. But zero still feels a lot colder the mid 30's and raining.

And snow counts as precipitation too - not a blanket of it on the ground, but the falling stuff.

I think the OP needs to identify how cold they want it and what they want to do. You're really going to get warmish only in southern Spain and perhaps Sicily - and that's only in comparison to farther north.

In Greece the islands are essentially shut in midwinter and the mainland can get quite cold - as in snow in the mountains.

So the OP needs to decide on a temperature range (please give numbers - I don't get "good cold but not freezing" and a type of activities.

LSky Sep 26th, 2012 11:13 AM

nytraveler, I can't imagine what it must be like in nose-falling temps, and I hope I never find out. Note to self: Avoid Russia in the winter.

You are right, rocky needs to be a little more specific about activities.

And what does "natural beauty" really mean? Some people love the ocean in the wintertime others are depressed by the grey bleakness.

My husband and I marveled at snow covered fields and frozen lakes. I loved getting up early and crunching through new fallen snow but I'm from So Cal and was easily amused.

Winter travel is great for many indoor activities like museums.

bilboburgler Sep 26th, 2012 01:22 PM

Congrats, but I can see the problem. I see the choices as

1) Go fully winter based (switzerland, Austria sweden, finland (father christmas), Norway in December is most likely to have the white stuff
2) Christmasy, look at Germany
3) Snow and spas, look at Hungary (along the spa line) with the odd bit of snow in the tatras
4) best chances of warmth, Portugal/spain south coast, Azores, Canaries, Sicily
5) North Africa, Marrakesh is still very open and safe and normally hot. There are a number of ops here, top of the range hotel or riad. (Riad would be romantic)

bilboburgler Sep 26th, 2012 01:26 PM

Not being married I think going to Yllas north of the artic circle would be best, dog sledging, northern lights, sauna, ski-doo, father christmas, cross country ski and eating sausages over wooden fires as the cold hits -15C. Ice hotel any interest.


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