We are a family of 2 parents and 3 kids ages 17, 19, and 20. We are starting our trip in Luxembourg picking up our 20 year old daughter who will be ending her semester abroad there on December 17. We realize we can realistically only travel to 4-5 cities at most, since we need to return to the US on January 1. We need help deciding where to go, especially on what city would be open and lively on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We heard that London shuts down on those days, but not sure if that is accurate. We are thinking about something like a few days in each of the following: Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Paris, London, Amsterdam. We heard that Vienna would be a great place to be on Christmas, but not sure if it is worth the time to travel that far. We have not booked our airline tickets yet, so we have the flexibility of flying into Luxembourg and out of any of these other cities. We would truly appreciate any suggestions, and are definitely open to other cities if you think they would be a good choice over the Christmas holiday season.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2443 posts
Lucy,
You can't go wrong with London, Strasbourg (Colmar is half an hour by train from there) and Paris for the Christmas season. Gorgeous! Vienna is beautiful as well but just too far away from the other cities unless you fly. Have a great time! It will be beautiful!
Posted by
Land of La
8744 posts
About London shutting down is accurate. If you want lively on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that great city isn't where you want to be. I love it because it does shut down but I suggest you go elsewhere. Paris or Amsterdam.
Posted by
Vacaville, Ca
1381 posts
From RS Site:
Top 10 Things to Do in Paris at Christmas: http://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/top-ten-things-to-do-in-paris-at-christmas/
Paris Christmas info 9 mo. ago: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/christmas-in-paris
RS Christmas in France: http://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/rick-steves-european-christmas-joyeux-noel-from-france/
RS European Christmas London: http://blog.ricksteves.com/blog/rick-steves-european-christmas-london-2/
Strasbourg: http://noel.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-oldest-christmas-market-france
Colmar: http://www.noel-colmar.com/en/colmar-the-magic-of-christmas/five-christmas-markets
London Christmas info, 1-year ago: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/christmas-in-london
Hope this helps.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
18229 posts
Its Christmas and Christmas means Christmas markets. I have spent very, very little time in Germany so others can help more than me. But as soon as she is free I would head to Frankfurt and spend at least a night. Frankfurt is a major hub for train and plane. But I would train across Germany to Vienna; a night in Stuttgart and a night in Munich at a minimum before going into Vienna. Vienna is beautiful at Christmas. Then I would go on to Budapest for a few nights before flying home. Doing it this way you aren't traveling "far", you are doing a series of short trips. We spend every other Christmas in Budapest and always enjoy it. If that sounds interesting I can give you a lot of details and maybe we will run into you.
Saturday, December 17 to Frankfurt
Sunday, December 18 to Stuttgart
Tuesday, December 20 to Munich
Thursday, December 22 to Vienna
Wednesday, December 25 to Budapest
Sunday, January 1 return home.
Or avoid the Open Jaw Ticket by Flying from Frankfurt to Budapest and training back to Frankfurt.
Oh, London for Christmas? I did that once. I was warned that London would be "closed" for Christmas and for all intents an purposes it was.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
17 Dec - Arrive Luxembourg (2nts)
18 Dec - Day trip to Strasbourg or Reims
19 Dec - Train to Amsterdam (3nts) via Koblenz and Cologne
22 Dec - Train to Ghent/Bruges (2nts)
24 Dec - Train to Paris (4nts)
28 Dec - Eurostar to London (4nts)
01 Jan - Depart London
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
If you want to experience the Christmas spirit in London, I recommend starting your trip there, if possible. Some of the markets and concerts shut down several days before Christmas, and many things will be closed or slowing down from the 24 - 26, including some transportation options. You can check this site for last year's information: http://www.londontown.com/London/christmas
Paris might be a good idea for 2 days, but the Christmas markets are over-rated (they begin mid-November). Better to wander around the large department stores and look at the decorations, the usual attractions, etc.
I would recommend Strasbourg, if you're interested in spectacular Christmas markets. The market begins the last week of November and ends on 31 December. Colmar is very close by and also well-worth a visit. The food is Alsace is really wonderful, especially during this time of year.
Train tickets are less expensive when bought in advance - usually 90 days before you leave. This site has a lot of good info on European train travel: http://www.seat61.com/Europe-train-travel.htm#.V0APKvl97rc
I would do some research on hotels which will sleep 5 adults. You might prefer booking 2 adjoining rooms, so you'll have two full bathrooms. Two-star budget hotels are fine - clean and basic - if you need to stick to a strict budget. Three-star hotels will provide a little more room and luxury. I don't recommend renting apartments for the short amount of time you'll be spending in each city - most will be very small for 5 adults and will only have 1 bathroom - hotels will be more convenient. If you book through a third-party site like booking.com, it's a good idea to contact the hotels directly to confirm the rooms and rates before you arrive.
Posted by
OP
Cincinnati, Ohio
4 posts
Wow, you all are amazing! LOVE this helpful information! I truly appreciate it!
Lucy
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
18229 posts
Most destinations will have website information on Christmas in their location; and there are a lot of good choices out there, for instance:
http://welovebudapest.com/shops.and.services.1/christmas.in.budapest.dos.and.don.ts
http://budapestchristmas.com/
http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-02-04/winter-best-time-visit-budapest
http://welovebudapest.com/culture/here.s.what.to.see.and.do.in.budapest.this.winter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ax2_ev4ybY
Just typing the name of a city and Christmas in Google Images will give you some ideas, for instance: https://www.google.com/search?q=budapest+at+christmas&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&biw=1366&bih=576&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH89evruzMAhVEQlIKHcV4CUEQ_AUIBigB
No matter when I am traveling I look for something that I enjoy that makes it special or is unique. If you like music, theater and concerts then they come alive in Central and Eastern Europe in the Winter Months.