winter europe
 

when is the winter really starts in european countries? if we intend to visit europe end of the year, which countries or cities will be the best? for two weeks what can we do and see? will it be too cold during this time round?

We were in Europe the 2nd half of December. Winter was just starting (note I live in Wisconsin so I classify winter as snow and cold). Lower elevations in Germany and Switzerland were still green and rainy, higher elevations we found snow which at times made driving a bit slower. In Switzerland and France they felt the ski season really didn't start until right after Christmas, and for that reason, not a lot of hotels were open. <BR> <BR>We dressed for winter and I didn't think it was too cold, but do admit at times it was cold. <BR> <BR>We spent Christmas and New Years in Scotland. It was wonderful. Sometimes down to freezing at night and in the 40s during the day. Warm for a Wisconsonite. <BR> <BR>

In Spain, there may be rain at that time of the year. In the north, you'd need clothes for slightly cold weather. But if you go up mountains, there may be some snow. Madrid gets cold and windy. I don't know about southern Spain, but I've heard that it doesn't get too cold.

Louis: <BR> <BR>I think winter is an excellent time to visit just because it's less crowded and the airfares are cheaper. But one thing you don't mention is where you will be coming from? A definition of "too cold" will be very different if you're living in Florida vs. someone who lives in New England. <BR>

Count on coldish and drizzly or colder and freezing in northern europe in December - so any sun and warmth will be a joy! I've frozen and slid on the ice in dark Budapest, been coolish and drizzly and freezing and sunny in Paris. And foggy and damp in England.

<BR>well, I live in Singapore---a tropical country that is always summer everyday. Owing to the school holiday, we can only travel either end of November or December. We intend to spend three days in Munich, A week in switzerland, A week in either Provence or Normandy. Any suggestions or advices? <BR>Also: is it true that in November the whole Europe will be half sleep and one can hardly see anything?

Europe asleep in the winter? Not a chance! The theatre/opera/music/dance season is in full swing! The museums have more Parisians than tourists. The restaurants are easier to get into, although in Paris reservations are always a courtesy. What you see in winter is the Europe that europeans live in. Yes it's COLD, but it feels a lot less rushed and more authentic.

Before I retired, my job called for me to make business calls in Europe year 'round. I found that winter was ever so much better than summer. People were more relaxed, one did not have to compete with tourists for hotel rooms and for railway or air line space, restaurant seating was available, and everything seemed so much more civilized. Because I like to dabble in photography, winter afforded wonderful opportunities to photograph buildings and street scenes because leafy trees did not obscure those wonderful architectural masterpieces in London, Amsterdam, Brussels, etc. The days were shorter, true. But the quality of light was ever so much more interesting. After dark, the theaters were ablaze with light and crowded with people. My customers were always glad to see a foreigner who appreciated what "real life" was like...after the tourist season had passed. When I compared my sales results, my winter calls beat my summer calls by a wide margin. But I found ways to hide these results...so that I could go back, year 'round!

<BR>now I am fully convinced to visit Europe in winter. But given only two choices: either end of November or mid December, which is the better choice? <BR>Also, which is a better itenary: Munich-Switzerland-Provence-Barcelona or Munich-bavarian Alps-Normandy-Paris? <BR>Do you think that it is safe to drive in winter time? will the road be closed and is it safe to drive at night? <BR>Again, million thanks to all of you. <BR> <BR>cheers, <BR> <BR>louis

Louis, My family went to Switzerland, Austria, Italy, & Germany Thanksgiving. POSITIVES: We experienced the most beautiful Europe we have ever seen. Everything was covered in snow (except Cinque Terre, which was almost balmy). It was the proverbial winter wonderland the skies were crystal clear all be one day. Being from Florida, we enjoyed the change in temperature, even the top of the Jungfrau at -30F. We never encountered crowds or traffic. We had concerns about driving in snow and ice particularly in the Alps (again being from Florida). No problem, the surface roads and the autobahn were maintained perfectly. We get up and on the road early and the roads had already been cleared by then. Airfare and lodging rates were favorable. NEGITIVES: We have always moved through Europe without reservations, this is where we encountered problems. I knew going in that many places close in September & October, but I thought that I would chance it. While we did find lodging every night, it was a little more challenging the other times of the year. But hey, there were trade-offs! Louis, I do realize that we were VERY fortunate to experience the most perfect winter weather I could have hoped for, but it's a change I would be willing to take again.

<BR>white christmas,snowman.....hmm... Mutang, you are really tempting me to visit Europe in winter. <BR>few questions: do you think it is a good idea to choose a town/village in switzerland and provence and do day trip from there? where did you stayed in switzerland during ur last visit? have anyone heard of Murren,Leysin and les diablerets in Switzerland? are these small town good choice as a base? also, is it true that most of the shops and places of interest are not open? <BR>thanks for all the good advices! <BR>louis <BR>

We stayed in Muerren in mid-December. I would not recommend it as a base - too expensive to get up and down the mountain - about $12 round trip. Lauterbrunnen (at the foot of the valley) would be a better choice for the Jungfrau area. <BR> <BR>When we were there not much was open - the ski hills were open but the locals indicated ski season did not start until after christmas. We checked the local tourist board before we left to find out what would be open. We did make reservations in Muerren (which we usually don't do) beause of the limited room availability.

<BR>diane, have you experienced snow during that time of the year? was it rainning everyday? what can you do for a week stay? <BR>louis

We arrived in Frankfurt on December 12, departed London January 4th. We traveled every day in the continent so we experienced different weather. Frankfurt and Rotenburg were cloudy and rainy. As our trip progressed, the rain vs. snow depended on the elevation. Rain in the lower, snow in the higher. <BR> <BR>In Muerren, there is not a lot to do right in the town. One day there was plenty to explore the town (it was clouded in). If the weather had cooperated, we would have liked to go up to the Schlithorn or explore the Jungfrau region more. I enjoy driving to different areas and enjoying the scenery and small towns. <BR> <BR>France in December was cold - it seemed colder than Germany and Switzerland, but that was because of the wind. In France it was mostly clear. The only place in France we found snow was in the Alps, otherwise rain. <BR> <BR>The best weather we had on the whole trip was up in Scotland. We were there for almost two weeks, spending Christmas and New Years with family. The coldest it got was freezing at night and in the 40s and sometimes 50s during the day. Even the highlands were moderate in temperature, with some snow. This was my fourth trip to Scotland, and scenery wise, probably the prettiest.

hi: <BR> <BR>Just got back from Central Eastern Europe 2 days ago. It was sooooooo cold that it snowed every day with temperatures all the way down to 7 degrees farenheit. But let me tell you that I would do it all over again. There were no tourists....and hotels were cheap... Go ahead and go...you will not regret it!!! <BR> <BR>Bea

<BR>so, is it better to stay in city rather than small town or village in winter time? <BR> regards, <BR>louis

It seems to me that Muerren, Leysin and Les Diablerets are too remote for your purpose. Due to the possibility of inclement weather at that time of the year, I would also suggest that you make your base in a city rather than mountain resort. Have you considered Berne? You could easily access the Jungfrau area from there. A trainride to Lake Geneva (Montreux) to visit Chateau de Chillon <BR>(Byron - The prisoner of Chillon) with the French and Swiss Alps as a backdrop, brings you through the lovely region of Thun and Spiez (Berner Oberland) and the Simmental (Zweisimmen, Gstaad). Since the weather is unpredictable at that time of the year, you could visit Berne's renowned Fine Art Museum on a "down" day. The streets in the old part of town are flanked by long arcades which give you protection against the element and vastly improve your shopping or walking pleasure. Albert Einstein lived in Berne for 16 years. Although the capital of Switzerland, the old part of town, now a pedestrian-zone, is still evocative of the Middle Ages. <BR>Whatever you decide on, bundle up and enjoy!

<BR>many thanks to you, Anita. <BR> <BR>the reason that we are looking for small town or villages is that we live in a city and really like to get away with it when we are on holiday, and i read some guidebooks saying that Leysin has the best weather in Switzerland while we can experience snow anytime at Les Diaberat. <BR>but you have gave us a very good option. thanks again. <BR> <BR>louis

Louis, Just another thought. In Nov we stayed in Grindelwald, Switzerland. It's a nice village, not too small, large enough to have a variety of lodging and dining options. http://www.jungfrauregion.com We took the train and then connected with the funiculiar up to the Jungfrau. We checked the weather on top of the Jungfrau from the train station TV. The continuous live shots show you what the visibility is so you will know if it's worth going up before you purchase your tickets, which are pricey. We took the early bird train and got a price break. Gimmelwald, not to be confused with Grindlewald is an option. I haven't been there but have read from other post. I understand that it is a smaller village.