Advice for 2 months in europe

I'd start in the north and work my way south. You are moving into winter and you're more likely to have better weather in the north earlier while Italy and Spain have very mild winters. By the end of November, the Christmas markets in Germany will be in full swing so there'll be lots to do in the evenings, much more than in January.

Thanks! That's what we had originally planned, but to see our friends as much as we want to it wasnt really realistic. I totally agree with you though. I'm hoping we will get to experience as many of the CHristmas markets as we can!

For fear of becoming a travelling human Popsicle I would wait for further effects of global warming to kick in before travelling to these parts in Dec/Jan ... which may not be too long at current rates. I will think of you waiting on an open railway platform in -10c from the warmth of an Australian summer.

Seriously though I would start in Spain as you propose. Then fly to Amsterdam and travel in an arc through Germany in the pre Xmas period, finishing in Munich. South into Italy with Christmas in Rome, New Year on the Amalfi Coast. Finally, fly to Bergen to join a Hurtigruten voyage (10 days) and hopefully see the Northern Lights. This would eliminate dealing with the extreme elements when travelling from city to city in Scandinavia by train/bus/ferry.

There are only a couple of night trains currently operating on the southern half of your route (Verona-Munich and Berlin-Duisburg-Koln with a connection to Amsterdam) and they are predicted not to operate past mid-December, 2016. For Copenhagen to Oslo, there's an overnight ferry operated by DFDS Seaways. The Swedish and Finnish Arctic night trains probably will continue as they have been.

If a mid-point city is not really of interest, consider skipping it and flying; www.skyscanner.com can help you find budget flights within Europe.

The joy of touring in the off-off season - no crowds! (except the Christmas markets) Many of the places you visit will be filled with locals and the museums will be your playground! Enjoy!

Thank you all for the replies! I do like the idea of the Hurtigruten voyage, and like you said, hopefully I won't freeze quite as much. Is it worth making the trip to Pulpit rock? Because it looks absolutely amazing, but I'm wondering if it will be just as magnificent in Winter.
I just love the thought of barely any crowds over Christmas! Will the Amalfi coast be open over Christmas and New Years?

Will the Amalfi coast be open over Christmas and New Years?

Where are you thinking of staying? You said Naples, which is not the AC.

Chani, I had mentioned Amalfi Coast in my post.
Sorrento is a functioning town so, although some hotels & restaurants may be closed down over the winter, you will find some normality of services for residents. Some here with recent experience may offer their thoughts.

"We want to spend 2-3 nights in big cities (possibly more) and 1-2 nights in smaller places"

I would seriously re-think that!

For your actual site seeing -that will give you 1-2 days in cities and 1/2 day to 1 day for smaller places. Running at this pace for 2 months seems extreme.

You have a wonderful opportunity to travel for 2 months. Even if you want to travel at a fast pace, I'd slow down from your current plan.