Fra_Diavolo

Agree with LSky -- go to a wintry place. Even North Africa tends to be pretty cool and wet in those months. So go somewhere where they know how to do winter -- cheery fires, warm wine punch, thick down quilts -- your other goal might be met as well!

CLM1980

Thank you all so much! I have such a desire to visit Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and Switzerland. My husband snowboards and believe it or not I have never skied or snowboarded, but I LOVE the holiday time. Obviously I would never try to fit in all these wonderful places in 7 days because we do not like to rush around. What would be some suggestions for itineraries for these cities?

LSky

7 days?

Fly into Prague and spend 4 days then train to Budapest for 3. Put the Széchenyi thermal baths on your list.

Or

Go to Salzburg and Vienna, not my favorite cities. And Salzburg is really more fun when the weather is warm so you can enjoy the Hellbrunn Palace's trick fountains.

Switzerland in the winter is high on my list so if you go there, please come back and write a full trip report.

I'm sure others will be able to tell you about Switzerland and the wonders of winter That would be great for a snowboarder.

You are wise not to try to cram too much in on one trip.

CLM1980

What about Munich during this time as well? Would it be a city to consider?

LSky

Munich is a lovely city. My husband and I first visited Munich in March while it was covered with snow. It was lovely. Since we had just missed a huge snow storm a week earlier and had good weather (cold of course) we rented a car and visited Neuschwanstein and surrounds.

Without good weather, you can still take the train around.

I love Munich. Also you could make a day trip on the train to Salzburg if you were so inclined.

LSky

Oops forgot there would be places for you to play.

LSky

BTW, you must be from a sunny place?

CLM1980

LSky: Thanks so much for all your feedback......My husband and I are from NJ so we do get all 4 seasons and normally at this time when we are able to travel prefer heading some place warm because of our cold winters, however we were thinking of trying something different. We want to see more of Europe so badly, we love all the history and atmosphere. Just so different from the states. We do not have too much vacation time between our schedules so we figured if we want to see more of Europe, we must take advantage of the time we have, even if its as cold there as it can be here in NJ in December! haha.

mr_go

As LCI mentions, we had a great time in Lisbon around the beginning of the year. But it's worth noting that the weather can be a crap-shoot that time of year...we got lucky!

Anyway, here's our trip report, if you're so inclined...
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-to-lisbon.cfm

Wherever you go, best of luck! And please, come on back and let us know how things go.

LSky

At least you have the clothes for it, CLM! I had to ask everyone I know from cold climates what to wear, including Fodorites.

The best thing is, you will have few lines. These places look great dressed in snow and you'll actually see the bones of many of the buildings.

My hubs and I are from the southwest and aren't all that familiar with snow so traveling in the winter is fun for us.

Germany is a great destination for active travel.

Learn some basic German and you're trip will be enhanced further.

LSky

Ah one other thing, my husband reminded me how winter travel can result in delays. You may want to get trip insurance, it's rather cheap when you consider the price of getting a hotel by walking up to the desk or anything else that can come up.

CLM1980

So i think my top cities are Munich, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest for this time of the year. Out of these these cities, how do we choose? What would be some of your ideas for itineraries? Again, we will have 7 days, but do not want to feel rushed.

LSky

How set are you on going snowboarding/skiing?

If that is part of the plan go with Munich. It's near the Alps and there are some beautiful places around Munich that would be easy to reach for a day of play in the mountains or foothills weather permitting.

Munich also has a nice Altstadt - old town, plus the beer is good. There are interesting things to do inside the city; modern museums (art and car - my favs), good day trips like the Romantic Road and the Castles in Fussen. It's picturesque
plus since you seem active there are active things to do inside the city if you don't feel like leaving.

Consider the roof climb at the Olympic Park: (It's also near BMW World (frankly not my favorite car museum but nice enough)

http://www.olympiapark.de/en/home/to...nd-flying-fox/

Now I'm thinking Munich because 1- you mentioned it and 2 you have an interest in winter sports.

Bavaria must have some type of record for chair lifts per square km. (kidding but there seems to be a lot of them b/c we've never seen one that my husband hasn't said, "that would be fun!)

If skiing/snowboarding isn't in the plan then 4 days Prague 3 days Budapest.

Or Berlin! I love Berlin!

CLM1980

My husband is the snowboarder....I actually have never skied or snowboarded so it doesnt matter to me if it is included or not. Im sure he would love to spend a day snowboarding in Europe which he has never done. So that is something we would have to talk about.....I would love to see the castles in Fussen...they look magical in pictures!

Getting from Prague to Budapest, do u recommend flying or train?

Any 4 & 5 star hotel recommendations for Munich, Budapest, and Prague?

janisj

>>Any 4 & 5 star hotel recommendations<<

Star level doesn't mean much (they mean different things in Europe than most in the States). What is your actual budget?

StuDudley

>>Any 4 & 5 star hotel recommendations for Munich, Budapest, and Prague?....... Again, we will have 7 days, but do not want to feel rushed.<<

Seven days and three cities with a "not rushed" schedule!!! That gives you about 1 1/2 days in each city, if you subtract travel time. We've been to all of these cities - and that sure seems like a rushed schedule to me. Prague to Budapest will consume 9-10 hrs door to door by train. Travel might be difficult in winter. I don't think you can get a direct flight from EWR or JFK to either Budapest or Prague.

And the daylight hours are short - shorter than in NJ. So you'll have fewer "days" there than you think.

I'm not a skier, but my cousin is & they went to Europe at the same time of year you're going. They said it was a zoo on the slopes. They're from Sun Valley Idaho, and said "home" was much better for skiing because there are fewer people.

We've visited Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Munich. None of them are nearly as interesting, with as much varied "stuff" to do, as Paris (IMO). You can get a direct flight to Paris from where you live. If you get bored with Paris after 4 days (doubt it) take a 2 1/2 hr train trip to Strasbourg to get a "German" feel.

Stu Dudley

LSky

Fly into Prague, fly out of Budapest or do it in reverse and take the train to the other city.

It's a quick train ride.

I'm not a skier either.

About the hotels, janisj is right. What type of hotel are you looking for, what amenities are important, what price range.

It's true about Paris Stu, but it's cold in the winter. Okay, to be fair it was cold the winter we went to Paris with all that wind and snow that's just wet until it freezes. I thought my nose would fall off.

It's true though, it would take a long time to be bored with Paris. Plus, in the winter all the trees are bare, so while one doesn't see the beautiful flora, you see the buildings. Plus, it's not as crowded.

StuDudley

The train trip takes 7 hrs - unless I'm reading something wrong.

Stu Dudley

CLM1980

What about Amsterdam and Bruges during this time? I know it will be cold, but how are these cities in the winter time? My husband also would like to see Brussels.

LSky

You're right Stu. That train does take about 7 hours, I had stopped in Vienna. (sorry op, since I disliked Vienna it was convenient to forget about it.)