Hi guys,
I am planning a 7 night-8 day trip in December (10-17 Dec) alone. My interest lies in wandering through the Christmas markets and also visits one ski resort or a quaint hill/ mountainous village. I’ve already been to Austria, Bavaria (Germany), Republic of Ireland and UK (Scot & England). I’ve zeroed in my options as below (can pick and choose any one)-
1. France - Val Thorens, Paris, Giverny, Loire Valley plus any pretty quaint hill towns
2. Italy- Dolomites, Bolzano..Not very much interested in Florence or Rome plus any pretty quaint hill towns
3. Germany- Nuremberg Xmas market, Dresden, plus any pretty quaint hill towns
4. Czech- Prague, Cesky Krumlov
I am totally confused since planning & travel time is too short and flight prices are surging by the day. Please suggest some good doable options. Don’t want to squeeze too much although I’m fine with taking intercity trains/ flights.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32756 posts
Giverny closes for winter on 1st November and will be closed in December.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17919 posts
Pick two. Given the time of year I think Prague and Nuremberg might make sense. Or Prague and Vienna or Prague and Budapest. For the quaint town angle do a day trip. You just don't have time for much more.
If I only had 8 days, first I would stretch it to 9, then pick one city and do day trips; or do 5 days in a city I was pretty sure I would enjoy and 4 days in a totally off the wall place that I could reach on a nonstop discount airline. 15 years ago it was Vienna and the then seldom visited Budapest as the off the wall place. I now have a home in Budapest; so you never know how things will work out. Get out of your comfort zone a bit for at least half the trip. It's an amazing world full of amazing people.
Posted by
OP
76 posts
Hi,
After a little bit of more reading, here's what I am dreaming of!
4 days in Dolomites:
Fly into Munich and take a train to Bolzano. Take another train to some of the cute quaint hill villages like Cortina d'Ampezzo, Canazei, Cavalese, Merano, San Martino di Castrozza etc
Pls advise if all these villages are well connected by a train/ bus since I'm not driving. I do understand the extreme cold I may experience but really wanna do a few days in nature esp mountains.
4 days in Rome-
Back to Bolzano and transfer to Rome via train
Christmas markets plus sights for 3 nights
8th day- fly out
Posted by
Green Bay
20090 posts
Where are you coming from? It would be better to fly into Rome and do that, then train to Bolzano. In fact, you are likely to have to change trains in Verona, and Verona has a fabulous Christmas Market. Bolzano is very good as well. Good bus service from there Ortisei. It will be lit up for the Christmas season and a nice Christmas Market in the center. Lifts up to the Seiser Alm will be running, although it is too early to ski there, but likely some easy hiking. For skiing, there will be some a bit further up the valley by bus at Selva, but it is definitely early season stuff. You should be able to get good deals on hotels as it is not yet high season.
It is about 4 1/2 hours to Munich airport from Bolzano, and about 5 1/2 to Milan Malpensa airport
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
Would not recommend going to Paris just for the Christmas markets, which are nothing much to see at all. Same mass-produced items you can find in most any discount department store.
Posted by
OP
76 posts
Hi folks,
Finally booked round trip to Rome! Planning to spend 3 nights in Rome, 2 in Florence & 2 in Siena
Thoughts ?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Roma has lots of points of interest, but Christmas markets are not among them. The display of presepi in Piazza del Popolo is interesting, though.
A highlight for me last year was the Motorcycle Santa Parade that rolled through the Villa Borghese gardens (December 24 or 25).