Suggestion for late December travel--50 degrees or warmer in Europe?

Use the Weather Underground website for researching historical weather data: www.wunderground.com Maybe start by looking at locations in Spain or Greece. If weather is a prime consideration rather than what you will see/do, also consider Costa Rica at that time of year. Rick Steves has posted a few articles about Costa Rica on this very website.

To second what Lamont said, look at Costa Rica. We went the first two weeks of December, which was the beginning of their dry season (you wouldn't want to go during their rainy season). There are some really reasonably priced tours (we went with Caravan), and it's just a short flight from Miami, probably similar from CA. Most places you can use American dollars as easily as Costa Rican colones, and even the electric supply is the same - you can use your regular chargers with their regular plugs there. The kids, in particular, will be thrilled with the wildlife - monkeys, lizards, birds, giant butterflies, etc. I went with my parents and my then 24-yr-old daughter, and we all loved it.

I have been to Costa Rica and while it was great, it does not compare to Europe for me. If you want warm weather you could also consider Guatemala, which is warm, has an exotic culture and beautiful scenery (Lake Atitlan) and historic ruins (Tikal)....but if Europe is your goal I spent a few weeks in England during that time and found the weather to be much better than I expected. A light coat and some layers did fine for the coldest part of the day and sometimes just a sweater. I know it can vary greatly but I never had terrible weather and it was very interesting to visit the Cotswolds without tons of tourists. I loved it. Also spent a few weeks in Venice during Feb., and the same thing...somewhat temperate and although a bit damp, much better than expected...don't know how Feb. compares to Dec., but it's Venice... so who cares. I also found I could travel lighter in those colder climates, because you are wearing the same coat who cares if you wear the same thing under it everyday!

Or come here. Can often be in the 60s and usually rainless. Christmas in Nazareth.

You probably should remember your eight grade geography. All of Europe except for the tips of Spain, Portugal, and a little of Italy is above the 40th parallel. The 40th parallel in the US runs through Philly, Indianapolis, Denver. Nothing in Europe comes close to the 25th,30th parallels of Florida. For reference San Diego is at the 32nd parallel. While the weather is different at these parallels the strength of sun light, day light hours, etc. is the same. The oceans around Spain, Portugal modifies the weather but it still can be chilly if not cold. You best changes of warmer weather will be the Med coasts of Portugal and Spain. In fact we are planning a trip to Lisbon and the Algarve over Thanksgiving. The average temperature range in the Algarve for December is 61 to 50 with rain about a third of the time. The Costa del Sol area of south Spain would be another choice with a similar temperature pattern of 62 to 49. Anything north of that is potentially winter weather.

Although not technically in Europe, Tunisia is getting calmer again and certainly fits your temperature criteria. Book through any UK firm for the best package deals.

How about the Mediterranean coast of Turkey? Average high temperatures are in the high fifties then, with lows in the lower forties. One thing to consider is that, even in milder areas, the days will be short. You might be better off in colder areas where the activities are more indoor oriented. Have you thought about the wonderful Christmas markets in Germany and central Europe? Or having a more relaxed and quieter time in museums without the throngs of summer tourists? Regardless, you might want to invest in silk long undies to wear under your clothes. They are soft and, well, silky, pack down to practically nothing, breathe well and keep you warm when outside without making your roast while indoors. (I just got back from three weeks in England and Ireland, and was grateful to have them even in the summer!)

Suziee, we may go to Madrid for Christmas even though it might be cold. Spent the last three Christmases in France. A few days each time in Paris and three weeks in Brittany. Was also in London just before Christmas and it snowed! Last year we had snow in Brittany. First year we had snow in Paris. Did it ruin the trip? Heck no! Less tourists, proper winter clothing (thanks to the folks here), and we did all that we wanted to and then some. Don't put off a trip to Europe because of winter weather. But if you are really set on warmth, then am sure you'll get great advice here.

Also consider Sicily and Malta.

SuzieeQQ, The first areas that came to mind are the Algarve in Portugal, the south of Spain, southern Italy or Sicily. As the others have said, check Weather Underground for historical data (but of course there are never any guarantees with the weather).

We did Portugal at XMass in 2007 (Lisbon and the Algarve) and were wading in the surf in our shorts. It was awesome! When we drove North to explore the Porto area, it was raining most of the time. We originally started this vacation by flying into Germany, doing a bunch of the XMass markets in the snow, then we hopped on a cheap inter-EU flight (check them out on Whichbudget.com) to south Portugal, where we finished out our trip in shorts, in the sun. It was a great trip: snow and sun! Our friends did Southern Spain one year at XMass and had 40 to 60+ degree weather also. Check out the average temps on Weather Underground.

We were in Barcelona and then Madrid the end of November two years ago and maybe we got lucky but the weather was great, warm during the day and then a little chilly at night but just enough for a sweater and rain jacket but we hardly had any rain.

It is not adequate to compare latitudes, alone, on both continents to draw conclusions about temperature. Ocean effects, water temperature, air currents... all play into it. This being said: the areas most likely to be "warm" during daytime are the southern half of Portugal, Southwestern Spain (not on mountain ridges, of course), Sicily and Malta. But, in any case, winter packing is a must. If you really want to assure high temps... Australia or New Zealand will be at peak summer :)