Nope, unfortunately not a double hilarious Chevy Chase movie, but what the Mrs. would like to do this year. For those of you who have been or are in the know, if you had to go over there over Christmas but be back before the New Year where would you go and what would you do? The participants in this adventure will be the wife, two middle schoolers, and myself.

Edinburgh, Scotland.

Great city to explore. No language barrier. Fantastic Christmas celebration.

Bavaria

Drink Gluhwein, eat Jaegersnitzel visit Christmas markets...

Vienna, absolutely amazing.

I'd say Germany for sure, particularly Bavaria (S.Germany) since most of our traditions originate from Germany; Nurnberg is #1 for the holidays. Those Christmas markets there always look fantastic. France, especially the Alsace (German areas) hits a bit more sophisticated but, the girls always want Paris and the French are pretty awesome when it comes to lights. London would be a close third, no language challenges and lots of familiar, with a slight twist. Its Happy Christmas, not Merry over there.

How much time are you giving yourself and why not include New Years?

I spent a holidays in Italy about 7-years ago, did NYE in Florence. It was a wild time, food was super good, wished I was a bit further North for the more familiar Germanic traditions.

Back many years ago when Gourmet magazine did beautiful travel articles they did an amazing one on Christmas in Vienna. i have wanted to go ever since.

I took the family to FLorence IT over Christmas. Not only was it decked out for the holidays, the cafes and museums were empty. great trip without the huge tourist hassles.

+1 for Vienna. I’d also go to Innsbruck, but definitely do New Years in Vienna.

My wife and I looked at doing a European river cruise for Christmas a few years ago.
The cruises we were looking at were one way up or down a river.(get on the boat in one city then get off in another)
We were going to fly into the cruise departure city a few days early to site see then take the cruise and stay a few days after the cruise before flying home.

The best part for us was that the boat would stop at different city's each day,they provided a guided tour and gave you some free time to explore on your own, then back on the boat to the next city.

I liked this because we did not have to travel on our own around Europe in a part of the world we were not familiar with.

I'd like to do Norway and the Santa Claus trip to Lapland.

We are thinking along the same lines.
Gate1 travel had Christmas market specials and if you don’t want to drive yet see a few cities it’s a good option. We’ve used them before and quite happy.

1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria
2. Dublin and county Wicklow
3. Baden Baden Germany
4. Garmisch Partenkirchen Bavaria
5. Canterbury and Kent in UK
6. Munich if you like big cities.

Switzerland, hands done. You won’t regret it. Most beautiful place I have ever been (winter and summer) was Murren, Switzerland.

I took a trip a couple years (2016) back specifically to enjoy Christmas. The three cities I settled on were Munich, Vienna, and Prague for a blend of Christmas markets, sightseeing (castles, cathedrals), ease of rail travel, and day trips out of the city. It did not disappoint.

Very pretty, but very cold. I’m in Austria now and it’s just barely shorts weather. Been here in winter a few times too. Driving can be dicey. AZ winters have spoiled me.

Austria, most people speak English also

Some more videos to stoke the process
Make sure you track the dates of the Christmas markets, not too early, not too late.

Sweden … The land of Christmas.

Prague Czechia or if you prefer the Czech Republic is my favorite city in all of Europe.

Christmas in Prague

https://worldofwanderlust.com/...christmas-in-prague/