sheryl

Asking for your expert opinions.. New York City or London for the holidays? (Or someplace else?)

My husband, 10 year old daughter and I are planning to escape this Christmas season from the tradtional family celebrations. We are trying to decide which destination might be better for us. We all enjoy museums,theatre, EATING and generally just enjoying a city. We have been to NYC before but never London. We have 5-7 days to spend between Dec. 15 and Jan 9. I've done a search and read some about both places but am looking for ideas,experiences and thoughts. Then I can begin to make a decision and plan in earnest.
Any other ideas?
Thanks!

TurnedOff

What a crummy thread title! Could you not have stated your plans more graciously? Someday, you will be an in-law, no doubt - hope your children are nicer than you! Do remember, what goes round, comes round!

John

Oh, lighten up. I thought the thread title was funny. And no, I'm not an in-law either.

I'd go for London if you've already been to New York. The drawback is that London winter weather is dreary, and the city is VERY expensive (more than NYC). But, I think it's a super place for a 10 year old...lots of history and the exposure to British culture!

Katherine

Sheryl,

I also have to say I didn't find your thread title funny. Many families who've lost grandparents would give anything to have them back for those "traditional family celebrations" - that you apparently take very lightly.

That said, I'd go for London, think it would be beautiful during the holidays. A really lovely idea would be to invite the grandparents along!

K

Cal

C'mon folk, we should not be judgemental of Sheryl. After all, we do not know her in-laws.

I would not travel to either place because of the winter weather. I would travel to San Francisco instead. You can run into some bad weather there also but the chances are that it can be pretty nice.

marilyn

Well, if you are looking for any other suggestions, I would like to offer Oaxaca, Mexico, where the Christmas season is extremely festive. On December 23, the Night of the Radishes, the Zocalo, which is the best one I've ever been to in Mexico, is the scene for hundreds of displays of fancifully carved radishes--you have to be there, I guess, it sounds pretty lame on the surface. Wonderful museums and restaurants, folkloric dancing and music. Just a very festive time in a town that is sort of dreamlike even when it's NOT the holidays.

Jim

I spent the holidays in London a couple years ago (my first time there) and thought it was great, except the lack of sun. Dreary is an understatement. So much to do, though, and the food is improving (apparently pretty dismal 10+ years ago). Very easy to get around. Good hotel deals during winter, which makes cost effectiveness less of an issue.
If my goal was simply to get away and do something different, I'd go to Italy or Hawaii, though.

Brian in Atlanta

Sheryl, I liked your title.

Since you've already been to NY, seems to me the simple choice is London. Should be interesting to see how they do Xmas over there.

Gina

I agree that if you've already done NYC, London's the way to go. I love London and if you're museum and theatre buffs, I expect you will too! Those who have reported that London is generally dreary during December are right, of course--but then, NYC frequently is as well. And the Christmas lights in Oxford street are usually a treat! (Except for the annoying "Yves St. Laurent" display during the holiday season 1997...bleh.)

WildBill

Lighten up Turned Off and Katherine you big bunch of cry babies. Obviously the title of the thread was meant to be funny, and it was. My guess is that people like Turned Off and Katherine are the types who people would want to "escape from" if they were the in-laws. Sounds like you should be hanging out with Noach.

Lucy

I weigh in on the side of stopping the in-law jokes! Unfortunately, children pick up negative attitudes and don't respect their grandparents as they should, which is a big loss for everybody involved. I'm sure Sheryl is probably a real nice person, who thought she was being funny, but I agree with the other posters who thought it wasn't!

I love my Gran more than anybody, and would not appreciate my Mom poking fun at her!

myinlaws

I get along fine with my in-laws. My only regret is that I wish I had thought of Sheryl's heading so that I could have used it first. Too much in-law time is still too much. Read Sheryl's post again. She in no way bashed her in-laws, so I think a few of you should reconsider your decision to take a swipe at Sheryl for no good reason.

WildBill

Lucy, I also add you to the list of people who take themselves and their views too seriously. You are also probably someone who your "gran" would like to escape from.

NadeneCros

A few years ago, my husband, myself, and my 2 kids decided to deviate from a traditional Thanksgiving and go skiing. I think sometimes you just need a change, no matter what your inlaws are like!

John

Hi, Sheryl,
I'd have to vote for NYC for a couple of reasons. First, a 5-9 day trip is barely enough time to recover from jet lag (depending on where home is) and I think (and wife agrees) that it's harder to recover in the dark winter than in the daylit summer. Second, it really is dark and dreary in GB at the winter solstice - remember Britain is a lot farther north than most of the US.

Between the shops and stores all decked out for Chrtismas and New Years, the hustle of the people, the numerous tourist attractions (museums, etc.), the Christmas show at Radio City, the sales after Christmas... NYC has it all.

If you're set on Britain, however, Edinburgh at New Years (Hogmanay) is an absolute blast. Travel to London for Christmas & Boxing Days, then north to Scotland for the real party. Not sure about a 10 YO in tow, though. Maybe you could ask about GB at the holidays on the Europe forum.

Bob Brown

We flew to London Christmas season, leaving on the afternoon of the 25th.
We arrived on Boxing Day, which is also a holiday and found many places, particularly restaurants, closed. We ended up eating at a Kentucky Fried Chicken place run by someone from the
far reaches of the Empire who did not celebrate Christmas -- hence they were open. Also, on New Year's day, everything of prime tourist attraction was closed -- like Windsor Castle.
We did however take advantage of the theater, attending two plays and a concert. My son had just turned 16, and we had no reservations about sending him off on a tour of his desire to Bath and Stonehenge. (He was with some other young folks from our hotel on a well-organized commercial day tour.)
We saw the sun one day out of 7 during our stay, be we cared little because we were on the go so much that the only thing that would have stopped us was snow and ice.

maggie

I don't believe she asked for comments about whether or not escaping from the in laws was morally right or wrong...I, too, am leaving around the holidays to escape from those dreadfully boring family gatherings...the only problem is the family has decided to go with me! Oh well...lighten up...not everybody has a family like the Waltons....

Ann

Just be prepared for little daylight. It will be dark by 4:30 and that can be a drag on sight-seeing. And it is cold. But it is still wonderful!

Ann

James

You ask for comments on everything simply by posting on this Forum! You know that old saying about the kitchen and the heat!

Paul Rabe

I've been to both four times apiece, although neither during the winter. Overall I'd pick London simply because you've already been to New York. Food is infinitely better in NY (although I've heard London is improving), but the theatre is MUCH less expensive in London. Museums and shopping are fantastic in both places; and both are great cities to just enjoy. If you've never been to NY it'd be VERY hard to pick between the two.

In case anybody cares (1) I adore my in-laws and (2) I thought the title was funny.