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-   -   Need suggestions for December/January (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/need-suggestions-for-december-january-421556/)

Laralynn Aug 29th, 2008 08:14 AM

Need suggestions for December/January
 
My husband and I would like to go for a 7-10 day little trip late December/early January. We have been to Europe lots, but only in the Spring and Summer.

Someplace cold... I want to wear my winter coat... I live in South Florida and have only worn it once.

Can someone suggest a cold place that may have snow and is "open for business" during this time of year? Has anyone been to Copenhagen, Prague, Vienna during this time of year? Any suggestions would be very appreciated!


nytraveler Aug 29th, 2008 09:49 AM

Well - most everyplace will be closed solid on Christmas day and New Years Day - so you need to account for that.

Scandinavia will be cold and probably have snow - but the days will be VERY short (gets dark around 3pm). If you head for Central Europe you will get a couple of more hours of daylight - and in Prague and Vienna an incredible host of musical activities.

Steve_James Aug 30th, 2008 12:31 AM

Hi Laralynn - If you want snow, why not head for the mountains?

The Italian Dolomites are hard to beat. Resorts like Ortisei (- Val Gardena) have a lovely atmosphere over Christmas/ New Year.

You don't have to be a skier to enjoy this beautiful area.

Steve

RosieinOz Aug 30th, 2008 01:07 AM

We are heading for a "white Christmas" in the French alpine town of Morzine where we have booked an apartment.
I'm told if it is not snowy there it is a cable car ride up to the higher elevations.
Just being in the cold climate for Christmas will be a novelty for us as we are from Sydney and usually have very hot weather at Christmas!
We are going to spend 2 weeks in Germany and visit a few Christmas markets before heading to Geneva where we get a shuttle up to Morzine...it's very close to the Swiss border.
hope you find some snow...have fun.
Rosie((R))

jay Aug 30th, 2008 04:41 AM

Lara,

When will you be going? Will you be going for Christmas or just after? If for Christmas I would recommend Rome. You can always do side trips as well. There is alot of religous stuff going on and you can even see the pope.

bratsandbeer Aug 30th, 2008 05:48 AM

If you really want somplace with winter check out Rovaniemi, Finland. Home of Santa Claus and his reindeer. :)

http://tourism.rovaniemi.fi/?deptid=6335

http://www.visitfinland.com/w5/index.nsf/(pages)/index



suze Aug 30th, 2008 07:08 AM

Snow is not so much about a particular country, but about altitude. As someone mentioned, head to mountains to assure snow.

Pretty much any place is going to be cold in Dec/Jan. Switzerland is a beautiful place.

Laralynn Sep 2nd, 2008 03:19 PM

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! A co-worker suggested Iceland, and I thought that was an interesting idea, too...
Has anyone been to Iceland over the Christmas Holidays?


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