New Years Eve Destination

Do you want the same place for Christmas and New Years Eve (that means one week in the same place) or one place for the 25th and another for the 31st/1st.
Could you elaborate somewhat on what you mean by spectacular--fireworks, lots of partying, special food and drink, entertainment, what?

I would love to spend Christmas and New Years in two different places (but I'm flexible). As far as "spectacular", I'm thinking more along the lines of fireworks, great food, live music. My family loves history and cultural experiences, and I feel that we can find these in Rome, Paris, or Prague.

Sorry, yet another question. In your response to my first inquiry you speak of "my family."
Are you planning a trip for all adults or will there be children involved?
As you can see, the more details that you can provide, the better the replies will be.
For example, will church services or masses be an important component?
Are you looking for snow for winter sports as part of your trip?
Are you looking for crowds in large outdoor areas to celebrate?
What kind of live music--beer hall style, classical concerts, cafe string ensembles?
And so on and on.
Have you been to Europe before and, if so, where and what did you like or not like?
Help us help you.

I will be traveling with my family of 4 (all adults). We probably will not partake in winter sports or regular church services (Christmas Eve service would be an exception for church). We are all performing arts lovers; any kind of dance, theatre, or live music is fabulous for us. Huge crowds (like Macy's Thanksgiving Parade-sized crowds) make me very anxious, especially in places I'm not familiar with, so ideally we would stay away from/on the edges of that. A great Christmas itinerary for us would probably be a museum, performance, zoo, etc.--something to get us out and about--and then a nice dinner. For New Years Eve, some sort of live music would be great. We enjoy beer-hall style live music as much as classical concert style music. This will be my first trip to Europe, so I don't have much in the way of likes and don't-likes. I am, however, positive that none of my family like "tourist traps". Of course, all of these cities have their tourist-heavy locations, but we would prefer to spend the holidays doing as the locals do.

Thanks in advance for the advice; you've given some great tips for future postings!

"A great Christmas itinerary for us would probably be a museum, performance, zoo, etc.--something to get us out and about--and then a nice dinner."

I doubt you will finds museums or zoos open or live performances happening on Christmas Day, anywhere in Europe. Very few restaurants either.

How long is your trip? You say it will be a Grand Tour. Where do you expect to go?

Traveling in the winter it is best to stick to cities. You will find more things to do if/when you encounter bad weather. I would also encourage you to stay in an apartment. That way you will have a kitchen so you can deal with the closures you will encounter over the holidays. We rented an apartment in Paris for a New Years stay five years ago. Paris is beautiful, especially lit up for the holidays. I haven't been there over the holidays, but London would give you the live performances and museums. It pretty much shuts down Dec. 24-26.

I'm planning for 4 weeks with stops in London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Prague.

For what you have indicated, Vienna may be a good choice for the Christmas and New Years segment of your trip. Vienna has many wonderful Christmas markets (I do not recommend the one in front of the Rathaus...too touristy). This city has wonderful museums of all kinds. If you want art, the Kunsthistorisches is a great start, but there are so many other places as well for any kind of taste. For New Years Eve Vienna has many musical venues and fireworks as well.

With only four weeks, I would cut Barcelona and Prague. That will still leave you with a tight schedule.
I have traveled extensively in Europe, but have spent Christmas and New Year only in Munich.
The Christmas market is very interesting and the decorations and atmosphere are inspiring.
Even though the hotel restaurants may be closed, they generally will provide ample food service in the bar on the 24th or 25th.
I don't know what the music scene would be, but the fireworks on the 31st are spectacular.
All in all, a very warm, welcoming, and pleasant holiday experience.
Having said that, I would also think that your family might enjoy Vienna where the experience would be similar, but with the certainty of the famous New Year's Day concert.
Perhaps Christmas in Munich and the New Year in Vienna.