suse

Well, sons (20 and 17) DH and I have narrowed down are choices to either Edinburgh /other parts of Scotland or Munich/Salzburg/Vienna for our Christmas/New Years holiday.

Can you comment on which place you'd chose and why? This has been the toughest travel decision I've made in a very long time. For some reason, I just can't get my act together and would like your help.

Thanks,
Suse

Underhill

Definitely Munich., etc., so you can take in the various Christmas markets and enjoy all the holiday celebrations and decorations.

taggie

Christmas markets!
Vienna is stunning at Christmas time.

suse

Thanks, I'm leaning in that direction, too. Anyone else have any input? What would be fun for my young adults to do?

Thanks, thanks, thanks. Would anyone say yes to Scotland.

Lawchick

Drinking?b

suse

lawchick,

I'm certain!

Underhill

Then they'll enjoy the gluhwein served at the Christmas markets--and they'll see a lot of other young people there, too.

What do your sons enjoy doin around your home area?

LaurenKahn1

Just have a plan B for bad weather. I was in Salzburg last March for two weeks and it rained every day except the day before I left. I saw a lot of museums but not much of the outdoor sites. Do to the limited visibility, the skiing wasn't any good either. People doing that when I was there all ended up in Salzburg sightseeing.

I think either Vienna or Munich would be a better base for you if you choose that area because there is more to do than in Salzburg that would interest your boys.

I would give you the same advice for Edinburgh as well.

Please remember that the one disadvantage of traveling anywhere in the winter is that the sun sets early. That can put a crimp in sightseeing if you are driving anywhere and don't feel comfortable driving in the dark when you do not know the area. Scotland is farther north than Austria and the sun sets very early in the winter there.

dutyfree

Just got back from Munich last night and would definitely recommend Munich for Christmas with
your sons-there really is alot to see and do there and with the Christmas season-you would all have a great time!

Dutch

I haven't been to Scotland yet, but I have taken my 18 year-old sons to Munich in December and they both loved it. Munich is a special place around Christmas.

Vienna, of course, is New Years Eve central if you like music. Edinburgh's New Years Eve party is supposed to be more of a drunken affair.

Either way you choose, I think you and your sons will love it.

Underhill

Also, Salzburg is wall-to-wall bodies in December.

Lynda_bcn

Have you checked out/compared hotel prices? I'd have expected Vienna to be expensive over New Year, but maybe everywhere is? German Christmas markets are so pretty, so, much as I like Edinburgh, I would go with your other option for that time of year. And yes you do have to bear in mind it could be cold, damp and pretty dark.

sheila

I suspect that Munich would be better for Christmas and Edinburgh for Hogmanay.

I see that the details are not yet up for Hogmanay but you will find last year's programme here:-

http://www.hogmanay.net/events/edinburgh

Edinburgh is a fine place to shop- as is Glasgow- and they have taken to having a street market in Princes Street in the run up to Christmas. However, I suspect it's not a patch on Munich.

New Year is somewhat more than a drunken affair, but it is very much for the young and/or partying.The whole city has, allegedly, a great atmosphere over the period. A bit like the Festival but more relaxed.

I don't know what Germany has to offer for New Year.

If it were me, and I wanted to stay in Scotland, I would find a really nice country hotel with a Christmas theme. I'd sty in Glasgow, and I'd book a pantomime there. I'd shop a day in Glasgow and a day in Edinburgh, using teh train for travel. I'd then head off of Christmas Eve morning to my nice country hotel, and I'd stay there till the 27th or 28th. Then I'd go down to Edinburgh and stay till the 2nd, and I'd take advantage of all the shows and exhibitions and stuff.

travelgourmet

While I don't know your sons or DH, I would suspect they would be more interested in Scotland, if you can make it for Hogmanay. Christmas markets are perhaps a bit twee for the menfolk. And the skiing is often not very good that time of year, so that may not be enough of a salve.

suse

Thanks to all for the advice...

The family is interested in history, castles, pubs and the like, a little bit of relaxing (for hubby)and a little bit of shopping (for me)and some nightlife for the sons(not too wild). We like cities, with a little bit of country thrown in.

We spent from Dec 27-Jan 1 in Ireland a few years back and had a GREAT time. It was country and city and we all loved it, but we all want to go somewhere we haven't been before. We know the days will be short. We do not ski.

This year we will be arriving Dec 24 and staying till Jan 2. The only Christkindle Markt open then will be Salzburg, which is in the middle of Munich and Vienna...so that will require some backtracking. But that would be okay.

Sheila, your itinerary sounds like a lot of fun, also.

See, that is my problem, both sound like so much fun, I can't decide between the two.........

oh my............

Thanks again,
Suse