Christmas in Europe

I haven't done this trip but I've looked at photos of Ljubljana, Slovenia at Christmas time and it looked magical (do a Google search of images for Ljubljana at Christmas.) It's one of our favorite cities. Personally, I'd look at including it in an itinerary for the holidays.

We did make a December trip to Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest a couple of years ago and visited local Christmas markets. Easy to do by rail.

I would highly recommend the German Christmas Markets. We did a Nuremberg to Frankfurt river trip last year when Christmas fell mid trip and enjoyed it so much we are going back with some variation this year as well. The plan this year is to start in Munich, go back to Nuremberg and end up in either Prague or Krakow (or one via the other). Be aware that Germany shuts down for Christmas, from mid afternoon on Christmas eve until midday on St Stephan's Day (the 26th) almost everything is closed. We plan to either travel on Christmas Day or already be in Prague or Poland. If Bavaria and Franconia are possibilities, Nuremberg is a must. The Market is huge, said to be the largest in Germany. Bamburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber are smaller and more quaint with the latter in a medieval walled German town. Friends have recommended the Prague part of the trip. They have said that it's charming during the holidays and very festive with several markets and concerts and theater and opera. I was concerned about the issue of things being closed and posted here on the forums and was assured that Prague is very active between Christmas and New Years. Other friends have suggested that we try Budapest as well, so we're looking in that direction too. So my recommendation for a Christmas Holiday is Germany and points East. Perhaps we'll run into each other in Prague.

This may seem obvious but Morocco is a Muslim country so I don't know that they would be celebrating Christmas.

We weren't there during Christmas itself but just before, the Alps may be nice.

Switzerland is lovely in the winter. We went to the Berner Oberland at New Year's one year and the snow hiking was terrific. Groomed trails, cozy mountain lodges. If you are skiers, this is a fabulous area too. Or just enjoy the scenery.

We spent a Christmas in the Val Gardena in the Dolomites, our favorite place in Italy. We choose a half-pension hotel and loved the ambiance and camaraderie. Skiing and hiking are big and little Ortisei has a Christmas market and many special events. Of course Florence would make a great stop, I love it in winter when the crowds are gone.

It seems you have 14 nights. Maybe 4 in the Berner Oberland, 4 or 5 over Christmas in the Dolomites, and 5 or 6 in Florence?

Verona has a great Christmas market, as well as Bolzano.