We will be visiting our son, who is moving to Heidelberg, Germany, over Christmas. We will be arriving in Frankfurt on 12/13 and will be traveling around Germany and the Christmas markets for 8-10 days before heading to Heidelberg to spend time with him and his girlfriend. We were thinking about taking them somewhere right after Christmas for the rest of Christmas week but have concern about whether there are certain areas to avoid because many places would be closed that week. I was considering a quick trip to Florence/Tuscany. What are your thoughts? Also open to any other recommendations. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Land of La
8747 posts
Istanbul or Barcelona
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7504 posts
Christmastime in Italy was wonderful. We were farther south than Tuscany in 2012 - Rome, Sicily, Calabria, Sorrento. Pompeii wasn’t swelteringly hot that time of year. Many places in Florence may have shorter hours, but probably won’t be completely closed.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11396 posts
Florence could be a good choice as there are so many indoor things to do. You could take a day trip or two to a more rural Tuscan location but my personal experience is that locations in the Tuscan countryside, especially if the lodging is “quaint” can be chilly. (We slept in our clothes one weekend in February in a place outside of Montepulciano.) If you want to visit smaller Tuscan locations, you’ll definitely want a vehicle but if you go to Florence, you will absolutely not want one.
We spent a week one December in Sorrento and loved it. It was pleasant temp most days, and Pompeii was quiet, although this week was before Christmas and we were given to understand a lot of Italians go to Sorrento after Christmas. (A great many also go to the Dolomites to ski that week.)
Venice and Rome can also be good choices. They are beautiful at Christmas and the weather, at least in Rome, always seems to be good that week.
I would, overall, have a major city location as your base because a city will offer more to do if the weather is not as clement as you hope.
Posted by
Virginia
246 posts
Agree with advice about picking a larger city, but don't go to London that week. Especially extensive Christmas closures there.