I have ten days the end of January for vacation. I spent them in Paris last year. Does anyone have a rec for a spot or small area that is great in the winter? Much appreciated!!
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Either go South of the Alps (Spain, Portugal, South of France, Italy or Greece) to get nicer weather or make it a ski trip into the Alps.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Katie, do you want snow or sun?
Posted by
OP
College Station, TX, USA
2 posts
Preferably not snow, but not necesarily sun either. I live in Texas so I see enough of that. I just am looking for somewhere that isn't intolerably cold and not dead for the winter.
Posted by
Philadelphia
655 posts
Consider the south island of New Zealand. Two days to travel leaves eight days of adventure. It will be summer there. Also note that the dollar goes farther in New Zealand.
Posted by
Halifax, N.S.
211 posts
In Januray/February, I've been to Madrid, Krakow, Milan, Copenhagen and Edinburgh, all of which were very lovely.
Perhaps think of doing Spain? It wasn't cold, but it wasn't hot either. You could do Barcelona, or Madrid with a side trip or two. The crowds are pretty dead which is great, I was basically alone in the Sofia museaum with all the great works on art.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
A couple of times we've spent a week in early January in the south of Spain. My favorite location there is Jerez de la Frontera. Great atmosphere, not too big of a town, lots of culture, great food. Day trips to Seville, Cadiz and Gibraltar are possible....
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
I would suggest that you consider London. Jan. would be a good time to avoid crowds. You could plan day trips to Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon, Cardiff, Canturbury, Dover, York etc. Theatre at night, museums, and the WONDERFUL markets (Covent Garden, St. Martin's in the Field, St. Johns at Picadilly, Portobello Rd., etc.). We have been in London in late Nov./early Dec. and found the weather tolerable. Even Scotalnd is not too bad!
Posted by
Wisconsin/England, USA/UK
53 posts
I completely agree with Vanessa. I did Spain & Portugal last December/January and loved it. Madrid was too cold to be out for long periods (30-40s), but Barcelona and Lisbon were great temperatures (50-60s).
Posted by
Seattle, WA
1317 posts
I'll toss out the suggestion of Rome or south Italy. Rome in December last year was moderate (50s-60s), with a bit of rain and some absolutely lovely sunshine and blue skies. Everything is open, the crowds (and pickpockets) are pretty much gone, and it's Italy!
It does get colder the further north you go. Florence was about 5-10 degrees colder, and even though the sun was shining, I was pretty cold.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Southern Portugal.