My son is taking part in a year long study abroad program at a University in Wales. My husband and I would like to meet him somewhere in Europe to celebrate the Christmas holiday together. We will have 7-10 days. This will be our first trip to Europe. I am overwhelmed with my choices. We are interested in art museums, history museums, and cultural/historical sights. We only speak English. There are so many places I want to go-Paris, Rome, London. I know we should limit our travel. We are from the midwestern U.S., so we will be used to whatever weather we encounter. I also know that I can go back to Europe and that I don't have to see it all this time! Any advice about what city in which to base ourselves?
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
We've enjoyed pre-Christams trips to England,Scotland and Austria. The Christmas markets are wonderful. Be aware that many (if not most) restaurants and shops in London (most of the UK?) are closed on Christmas day. so if you choose to visit there, you'll need to research and make early reserations or get an apartment and stock up so you can prepare your own Christmas day (and Boxing day, possibily) meals. The same may be true i other parts of Europe.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Three of us, who for various reasons do not want to be in Montreal for Christmas this year, are planning to spend Christmas and New Year's in Paris. Even if it is cold or if it is wet or if it is nastily damp, it will be Christmas in Paris. For me nothing could be more wonderful.
Posted by
Land of La
8810 posts
Easy question to answer. Base in London. Arrive at least 3 days before Christmas so you can enjoy seeing the sites, enjoy a panto, Christmas lights, shopping at Harrods' before Christmas, attend a choral service, Midnight Mass in St. Paul's, traditional Christmas dinner (reservations a must or find a pub that stay's open and serves.) Understand on Christmas Day public transport is nill and all sites closed. That doesn't me you can't enjoy London. Watch the Peter Pan race in the Serpentine at 7am Xmas morning then stroll around Hyde Park and people watch. I've done this more than once and always enjoyed seeing the Londoners out and about, adults with new coats and hats, children with new toys, babies innew prams, families enjoying one another's company. Check the Eurostar schedule and take it to Paris between Christmas and New year's. Fly open jaw. Into one city and out of the other. You can also reverse this itinerary and spend Christmas in Paris then train to London. Check the Graffiti Wall on this website to check out Christmas in Europe. For first time Europe visitors and since your son is close in Wales this itinerary makes perfect sense. Just a little more research and planing because of the holidays. Enjoy.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
London at Christmas wasn't abandoned. There are lots and lots of people walking about. It is a great time to take one of the London Walks tours. There are some non-pub restaurants open, too, but you won't have a lot of choices. The biggest problem was that there is no public transportation on Christmas Day and reduced transportation on Boxing Day (the day following Christmas).
Posted by
Costa Mesa, CA, USA
503 posts
We spent Christmas in London a few years ago and it was fabulous - truly one of our best Christmas's ever! We did rent a flat which helped out with Christmas eve/Christmas day dinner - ordered pre prepped items from Marks and Spencer (bone in turkey breast and a mushroom stuffed loin of venison - heavenly!) that only needed to be cooked - even came in their own pans! We had great fun shopping for our "feasts" and the food halls were overflowing with amazing food and wine! Christmas day we got up, had a great big breakfast and then took a long walk to Hyde Park and saw lots of folks out and about. There are a number of tour company's that do tours that day - both within London itself and outside of London and of course there are the London Walks! Although the Tube is closed, we did see taxi's about as well so even though transport is limited, it is not non existent.
Good luck with your planning!
Posted by
OP
Washington
7 posts
Thanks to everyone for such wonderful advice! I am not quite so overwhelmed and ready to start planning.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
I personally loved visiting London at Christmastime! Try to get there a few days early, or make sure you stay until past the 27th so that you can visit some of the museums and shops that are closed until after Boxing Day. My favorite museum was the Imperial War Museum. Most museums are free, and there are some great history and art ones for you to visit, too. My husband and I attended the 11:30pm Christmas Eve service at Westminster Abbey and had an amazing time. We were moved up to the wooden choir benches among lords and next to the Westminster Boys Choir. Definitely the most memorable Christmas Eve I have ever had. Ethnic restaurants are open on Christmas Eve and some on Christmas Day - as long as you are willing to break from a traditional ham, and are willing to possibly walk around for a bit until you find something, you will be fine! You will not starve! If you have 10 days, you could do both London and Paris. Especially at a holiday time, I would limit it to two cities. You could take a day trip up to Stonehenge if you want.
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Bren, In your listing of so many places you want to go, the first one listed is Paris....So why not Paris? Or, how about meeting up with your son in London for 5 nights, take the Eurostar to Paris for 5 nights then fly home out of Paris? (Son of course would return on his own to Wales.) We were in Paris in early November, 2010 and saw the beautiful Christmas decorations being put up so now I'm trying to figure out a year when we can be in Paris for Christmas!
PS: Paris, Rome and London all have art museums, history museums and cultural/historical sights so any of your choices would be fantastic!