My family of 5 will be spending this Christmas in Europe (we are in Bath, UK for my husband's job for one year). My kids would like to go someplace "snowy" for Christmas, which will be a big change from our usual California Bay Area holiday! We love Switzerland, especially the Bernese Oberland area and Zermatt, but everything is so expensive during Christmas! Does anyone have a suggestion of a lesser known, but equally wonderful area to spend Christmas in Switzerland, France, Austria or the like?
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
You might just head north of the border for the highlands. Aviemore, Toni's favorite village would be excellent. The only thing is, of course, that you can't absolutely promise snow. But the New Year's celebration, Hogmanay would be super.
It may be equally as expensive as Switzerland, but did you look into Norway? It certainly has lovely Christmas traditions.
When I was a student we went to the Dornbirn area of Austria for our ski-weekend. Part of the reason was that back then it was cheaper. You might check it out. I certainly never hear about Americans going there and when we were there back in the dark ages of the 70's we were the only Americans on the slopes. Everyone else was European. Also, as one of the few skiing novices I was surrounded by German, Austrian and other European children buzzing past me as I snow-plowed down the slope. Pam
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Not lesser known, and not inexpensive; my nephew and niece spent Christams in Vienna and said the nearby mountains and villages are what everyone dreams Christmas should be. (they stayed in Vienna wiuth friends, so cant give you specific suggestions)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16320 posts
In Switzerland, try villages that are in the mountain but not ski resorts. Kandersteg comes to mind. You could even stay very inexpensibvely there at the International Scouting Center, which has twin and double rooms in the Kander-Lodge. There are many nice hotels in the town as well, and Christmas activities. Another place to consider would be Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria. This is a ski resort, but there are so many accommodations there should still be something reasonable. I've seen photos of sleighrides and lots of other Christmas activities there. You might also look around Innsbruck, Austria, maybe at Seefeld. Norwegians do celebrate Christmas very well, but the days are so short way up there; not much time to enjoy the snow.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Chamonix France is terrific. You will need adv reservations as it is popular w/ families. Their are many condos their that you could rent for your family. It is beautiful with alot to do. An airport either Gva or one closer could be Mulhouse has shuttles form airports. I have been in Summer and winter and think it is the great european christmas village destination with lots of sports and activities for all.
Posted by
Gangelt, Germany
101 posts
I agree, the Garmisch area is very nice, as Lola mentioned. Last time we were there, we stayed in a family run gaesthaus in Farchant, about 3Km from Garmisch. http://www.gaestehaus-zugspitz.de/ Good luck!