Looking for Advice Beginning Planning Process for Holiday Travel

My husband and I visited Paris in January a few years back. We were there three days after spending time in England with friends. Based on that I suggest you pick one place, or two that share borders for your seven days. That way the bulk of your time will be spent seeing the sights rather than traveling. Consider the weather, too. I see you come from Ohio where winters are cold. We live in California, so had to prepare carefully for freezing weather-packed the silk long johns we use for skiing-thank God! Still we were not prepared for weather that closes airports and train stations. Delays caused by bad weather erode vacation memories. Because you have so little time, I would certainly suggest once you've chosen your country, you rely on Rick's hotel recommendations. He's never erred for us and we've stayed in many of the accommodations he suggests. Looking back on Paris and London, I recall those great cities sparkling and glowing like they never do in summer. The windows dressed for the holidays, the music spilling out into the streets, the sheer joy (for us) of wearing a muffler for it's intended purpose created memories we will never forget. Have a great time!

Gena: Keep in mind that while Christmas is a holiday both there and here, Thanksgiving is purely American. As a result, if you go to Europe around Thanksgiving rather than around Christmas, everything will be cheaper, less crowded, and open. London and Paris are fabulous around the holidays. I can't speak to other destinations, but I am sure others will recommend places like Colmar, Strasbourg, and Munich. For a short trip of a week or so, my wife and I like to base in one major city and do some daytrips by rail. Since we live near Washington, I look for cities that have direct nonstop service from Dulles. As you are going to have to connect somewhere in the US anyway, check out as many US gateways as you can, looking not just for price but also which have nonstop service to which cities. Time is critical in a short trip, enough to warrant a higher price to get the flight you want (how much higher is entirely an individual decision). One final note...Switzerland will be more expensive than the other destinations you listed simply because it is not on the euro, and the swiss franc is a very strong currency.

We were in Paris and London on the last trip so I would prefer not back there. I am looking at the leaving the Friday after Thanksgiving so hopefully missing the Christmas holiday up tick in prices. I don't know that I am committed to one home base for the whole time but I don't want to change locations every day either. Has anyone been to any of the Christmas markets?

I'd definitely recommend going to Germany to see the Christmas markets. There's some locals on this helpline, they'll probably have more info on the smaller towns and when the markets start up. They're legendary. Nuremberg has the best known, but there's lots more out there.

To tell you the truth, the two best Christmas markets I´ve ever seen were not even in Germany (with the caveat that I´ve never been to Rothenburg or Nürnburg during the holiday season), but in Leuven and Hasselt in Belgium. I´ve only lived here for less than three months, but I´m betting the town of Lorsch (about 5 minutes drive from where I live) probably will have a nice small town market. The town sqaure is gingerbread picture-perfect, so I can´t imagine NOT putting a Christmas market there.

The Christmas markets begin the week-end after Thanksgiving. You did not mention your dates of travel. However, if you only have 7 days then I would suggest Germany and possibly Austria. Nurnberg and Rothenburg have the best town squares. I would also suggest a short train ride up to Oberaummergau outside of Munich which is a beautiful village. In Salzburg there is a small ice skating rink set up in the Old Towne Square which is delightful. After skating, you can enjoy a hot chocolate at Demel which is on the square!