Where to travel in Dec?

Don't get to fixed on the warm weather idea (although I can appreciate it considering where you live vs. me here in sunny San Diego). London is fantastic at Christmas and goodness knows there's lot to see/do (and without the crowds). Think Dicken's here but with a warm bed and good food. Course there is well, San Diego. The San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Museums, Drive up the coast, etc. Reasonable accommodations galore. Also check out cruises from Florida to the Caribbean. These cruises can be great for multi-generational families and sometimes include discounted airfare.

San Diego is awesome in December! But you want to go to Europe. And you want heat. So.... Barcelona? Will be in the high 50s. Athens will be a tad, but not much, warmer. Palermo will be mid-60s-ish. All three destinations have much to do, see, experience. I actually love the UK over Christmas - and Cornwall is lovely in December. In Penzance, temps are about 50F (Gulf stream) and the Christmas cheer makes things lovely. If you don't care that you are warm, your options open up widely. If you DO care that you are warm, well - Belize? Belize is AWESOME.

You didn't specify going to only a European country, so I will second the vote for a cruise. If you have never been on one it is a great vacation for the whole family, especially the ages of your kids. Everyone can do their own thing during the day (or do something together) and then meet up at dinner to share stories of the day's adventures. There are great places in the Caribbean to explore, it is warm, lots of activities to choose from, and you visit several destinations while your hotel room goes with you. It is not as hot there as the spring/summer but it's definitely in your span of preferred temps, and it is not hurricane season in Dec/Jan. Most everything is included in the price except alcohol, tips, and shore excursions (varies by cruise line). Oh, and no jet lag - Eastern and Atlantic time zones. As far as a European destination, Italy also can be fairly mild. We have been there in Dec. It was cold and damp in Venice but Florence and south were sunny and in the 50s during the day. Check seasonal temperature records before you decide. Sorrento could be very nice. There you have Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri to explore. Combined with a few days in Rome that might fit all of your interests.

Warm and inexpensive in December does not add up to Europe. And London, really? Is there anywhere more expensive in Europe? Barely.

You will not find anything in Europe that is constantly in the high 60s, mid 70s. It just isn't that warm. Look at a map. Most of Europe hangs around the Canadian border. You best bets will be along the Med. Might consider Lisbon with a swing into the Algarve. Prices would be reasonable. Obviously along the Costa del Sol in southern Spain would be another option and, again, not overly expensive. That would be the warmest areas. Malaga has good international airport with direct flights (at least last year) from New York. A couple of years ago we did a 10 day swing over New Years into Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada and home from Malaga but it was cool - mid 50s mostly - sweater and jacket weather with some rain.

That's a tough combination of requirements to meet. If you take out cheap and warm, then I would say London/UK as that's my favorite place in December. It can be done if you look for apartment rentals and there has been quite a few sales to London here lately. It's not bitterly cold either but it get's dark very early. If you take out just cheap, it sounds like the Caribbean. That's the most expensive time of year to go but you may find a few deals around. I'd sign up for some deal alerts and if you find something cheap to somewhere that sounds good, get it and then figure out why you are going there. I've discovered some pretty great places that way.

Germany.....my absolute favorite, I'm a Christmas Market addict. It's not at all warm, but it is unforgettable, especially when you come from what is essentially a reclaimed desert like I do.

The only region where temps are consistently above 55F during daytime is the Southwestern Spain and the adjoining southern third of Portugal. Add to that Sicily and Malta, but beware it rains a lot around those islands in December.

Thanks so much for all your help! In the end we have decided to go to southern Spain--Cordoba, Sevilla, Ronda, etc. We're hoping it'll be warm enough to enjoy being outdoors, and low season enough not be crowded. Thanks again--happy traveling!

Vicky, Your choice would be my recommendation. Southern Spain will offer good weather and a decent variety of activities. Have fun.

i would say italy...any excuse to go...in 06 was in rome around christmas and was mild...in the 50's...light jacket...last december i went to florence/tuscany...was sunny and brisk...and then a very very very rare snowstorm hit...everything shutdown...was stranded for a number of days...only way to leave was to train it to rome further south and fly out...my point being it was a freak storm...i think italy is a good choice in december...but weather you can't predict no matter where...and yet another reason to pack light...

Vicky, wherever in Spain you'll be on the 24-26th, check and make sure you know what's open and what's not, probably same for New Year's. You may need to have your hotel make Christmas Eve/Day or NewYear's Eve/Day restaurant reservations-I don't know how things work there, maybe someone else does?? I know in Italy you better have reservations on Christmas Day!