Missed going last Fall, so looking at going this April/May. We're in our 60's, travel well, carry-ons only. Just want to see a few areas we haven't been to, stay a few days and head to another area. 14-17 day trip. Planning a Christmas market trip this year as well so maybe some of the area I'm thinking would be better for that. We will take trains and planes if that helps. I know I'm not giving more detailed info but just want to see what ya'll think of the areas I'm looking at. Thanks for your input.
1. Spain - Seville and Andalusia area. 5 days? Is Gibraltar worth seeing? Going to Morocco?
Portugal - Lisbon or Porto or just stay south along the coast?
2. Avignon area of France? for a few days and then head to Paris. And on to UK - husband wants to go to Bath and Cotswolds. Been to London 5 times.
3. Prague, Budapest and Vienna. Had a trip booked in May2020 and still haven't been. But thinking this would be a good Christmas market trip.
4. Baltic area? We've been to Norway , Sweden and Denmark.
I'm not planning on going to each of these areas in one trip. We've been to Rome, Florence, Pisa, Naples, many places in Germany, all over The NEtherlands, Belgium, England, IReland, Scotland, Eastern France (Strasbourg/Colmar), Barcelona.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3850 posts
If you’re going to do a Christmas market trip later this year, that would be the time to go to Vienna, Budapest and Prague. You could add Dresden.
Since you haven’t ever been to Spain, Morocco or Portugal— those countries would make a great trip to new territory. You can fly to Marrakech from Seville or Lisbon and train to Fes and Rabat while in Morocco. I would give Gibraltar a miss.
April weather will be preferable to May when the temps can reach the mid-80’s.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
25227 posts
I vote for: Seville and Andalusia area, Gibraltar, Morocco as well. With 17 days it would be a bit fast paced, but fascinating. April or May? I am from Texas, 82F doesn’t bother me. Interesting that the humidity is lower in both locations I May. From 35% humidity in Morocco and only a bit higher in Seville which keeps the comfort zone about the same as mid-April despite slightly higher temperatures. But averages are just that; it will be what it is when you get there. Can’t predict mother nature.
You mentioned Christmas markets too and that’s what I have been studying for the last few weeks. Here is a link to a thread with a lot of market reviews. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/2026-christmas-markets It’s a subject that the internet loves and the reviews go on forever. This one isn’t on the list its Conde Nast’s take on it: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-christmas-markets-in-europe
Two quality Christmas tours are Budapest > Vienna > Salzburg > Strasbourg. Strasbourg is the long stretch, but the reviews are so good, maybe worth it.
The easy plan with a lot of highly rated markets would be Budapest > Vienna > Salzburg > Prague.
Or another that looks like it has many of the best is Krakow > Prague > Salzburg > Vienna > Budapest. Krakow like Strasbourg is a bit of a stretch, but again, sounds like a wonderful place to be for the holiday season.
KRS mentioned in a post that there should be more than just the markets. And he is correct, but I think all of those are terrific locations any time of the year.