Budapest/Vienna/Prague

Nuts??? Never!!! Brilliant, I say!! If you go after the first week of January you'd miss some of the Christmas crowds. When I was in Prague in February a few years ago I was amazed at how relatively empty it was. There were still tourists (like me!) of course, but compared to the crowds in summer, I think winter is a great time to go.

Sounds great. After Xmas, tho. Budapest is completely shut down for Xmas and boxing day, wouldn't be surprised if the other cities are too. Train travel from city to city is very easy. Brno is highly rated (haven't been there YET), and on the same train line. You might want to take a day or two off another city to stop in a smaller one. Take lots of handwarmers. If you are taking photos, your hands will get very cold.

I'm the opposite, go for the 3 weeks starting at at the very beginning of December, then fly home on Boxing Day. There's a super atmosphere of bustle, decorations, lights and Christmas markets. Catching the actual Christmas masses would be beautiful. You will have the advantages of slightly better airfare leaving the first week of Dec and more available cheaper accommodation choices.

If I were retired I would wait until April - after Easter.

I was in Budapest and Vienna last Christmas. It is a magical time in Europe. However, I have done winter in Europe and will probably not repeat. I would never try to talk anyone out of what they wanted to do but you should consider a few of the downsides. 1. Weather and travel plans: Since you are retired maybe you can be more flexible, and a reoccurence of the 2010 and 2009 December winters that left thousands and thousands of travellers stranded in airports across Europe during the blizzards might not be a big deal to you. The last two Decembers in Europe have been UNSEASONABLY cold and snowy. Such an aberration may occur again in 2011 or it may be the usual mild weather. With alleged climate changes, who can predict? Just prepare yourself. I had never, ever even considered the remotest possibility of arriving in Frankfurt at an airport in the midst of shutdown with all outbound flights (except Cairo) cancelled. So naive of me. Just prepare for the possibility.....and take a day's essentials in your carry on - when airports close, they will not be looking for your luggage. 2. Reduced hours: Not really light until after 0800 and is dark by 1630. That was a bummer for me, I love to walk and take pictures of everything - nighttime doesn't do much for that. 3. It's cold - you're from Colorado - you know the drill for that. 4. Crowds - Don't be fooled that there won't be mobs and mobs of people from mid-December thru first workday in JAnuary. Maybe less North Americans, but there are Europeams, Russians and Asians that are travelling. It's Christmas, everyone is travelling. And not necessarily cheaper, last year I noticed a big increase oni travel fares after 12/15 from what they were in Nov/early Dec. Whatever you decide - you'll have a wonderful time.

great idea. these are major tourist towns, and there are people like us there all year round. in 2006 i visited all three cities during february. it was awesome. it snowed from the start of my trip in amsterdam to the end in krakow. but you will be in museums, cafe's, stores, galleries where the weather will be great. outside the landscape will look magical. bring the right clothing, embrace the challenge of the weather, enjoy being a local. have fun, be safe.

Have you thought about the three weeks after Thanksgiving. This wil get you started with smaller tourist crowds (since us Americans are the only ones who celebrate Turkey day) and will take you to a few days before Xmas so you still get some of the holiday charm. Staying over Xmas means you will have a day or two where most things are shutdown as it is everywhere Xmas is celebrate. Edwin