Couple itinerary ideas for winter, which one looks better/doable?

Posted by lightstorm on 07/14/19 06:07 AM

Hi all,

I have never been to Europe in the winter before, so wanting to get some feedback. I am looking to take 10-11 full days in Europe this coming December and was looking to get some feedback (especially regarding winter travel there!)

1st idea was flying into Istanbul for 4-5 days, then to Prague for 3, then Salzburg (maybe Halstatt) for 2-3.

2nd idea was Krakow->Prague->Salzburg/Halstatt-->Munich, 2-4 days depending on the location!

3rd idea was flying into Copenhagen, seeing a lot of German cities (maybe a bit of Switzerland) and then flying out of Munich...

Any tips on any or all of three? Just exploring some ideas!

Posted by MarkK

Berlin

07/14/19 09:00 AM

2965 posts

Please share your interests or also no-interests as possible criteria.
December: beginning, mid or end of Dec.?

Posted by geovagriffith

07/14/19 10:23 AM

8168 posts

Istanbul would be better, since it would be a warmer place.

I lived in Germany for four years and the Winters were so long there, I would never go back to Europe in the Winter.
In Germany it would get dark about 4:30 and you must have WARM clothes, including gloves. If in a snowy place, you will need boots of some kind.

If you are going around Christmas time, yes, the Christmas Markets are nice, drink some hot gluhwine.

If you are planning to go to the Alpine region and drive, you might need chains for your tires if it snows. Copenhagen in December is actually no colder than Bavaria, but the days are very short.

Posted by balso

Paris

07/14/19 10:53 AM

7291 posts

Hi,
The problem of option 3 is the short days in Copenhagen.
I like option 2, but it will be cold throughout especially in Krakow. As for option 1, it is quite varied, but travel heavy.

Posted by Sarah

Stuttgart, Germany

07/14/19 12:33 PM

3050 posts

If you're coming in December, you should focus on Germany/Austria as much as possible to enjoy the Christmas markets . Yes, everywhere in Europe does some form of them, but they are best in German-speaking places (and those that border them so they have to complete a bit).

Posted by lightstorm OP

07/14/19 05:30 PM

3 posts

Hi, specifically, I will be doing this mid December (10-11 days sometime between Dec 8 and 25th). Thank you for suggestions so far!

Posted by MarkK

Berlin

07/14/19 06:56 PM

2965 posts

In Germany the approach is easy: there is no bad weather, only wrong clothing.

Christmas markets will be open the whole Dec until Christmas, some longer. Winter tyres are mandatory on rental cars.

Weather is very local and can't be forecasted - you can check weather tables for the extremes in the past. Temps will more depend on altitude you are going to visit than on latitude. Istanbul must not be warmer than Munich or Hamburg but likely more rainy.

The week before Christmas the German public transport system will be very busy. For Germany: at Christmas hotel prices in most cities will be lower than few days before on Advent 4.

Still missing your interests.

seeing a lot of German cities

Expectation management: Reduce it realistically to 3 or 4: otherwise your travel - experience balance will be very much on travel.