Our family of four (including 2 kids: age 11 and 8) are living in Florence, Italy. We hope to do some traveling through other countries during our children's Christmas break. We have a car, but wonder if it would be better to take the trains instead during the winter weather so we don't have to contend with snow, ice, etc.
We are also trying to decide where outside of Italy we should travel. For some reason, Germany and Austria in particular are calling to me, but we are also open to other possibilities. I am looking for suggestions of good places to go over the Christmas holidays with children.
Posted by
Krems, Wachau, Austria
386 posts
Lizanne,
you couldn't do better than to spend Christmas in Austria or Germany, it's a magical time of year here!
Just be aware that a few days around Christmas everything will be closed, you might do well to spend those days in a small town or resort where you can partake in the festivities!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Do your kids ski? If so, the Alpine resort towns of Germany and Austria are beckoning...
Posted by
Niceville, FL, USA
154 posts
There should also be places where you can go sleding. Also check out museums that time of year. There are no crowds and it will be warm inside.
Posted by
OP
Portland, USA
44 posts
Thanks for all your feedback. Here is an update on our travel planning. We are now thinking of going to Vienna, Salzburg, Munich and Garmisch-Partinkirchen. We plan to travel by train starting in Milan. What order should be go in: Milan, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Garmisch, then back to Florence? Would that work?
Of these 4 places in Germany and Austria, which of these places would be the best place to actually spend Christmas eve/Christmas night?
We are all Americans, but 3 of us are residing temporarily in Florence for a year. Does that make us ineligible to purchase Eurail type train passes if the 4th person were to purchase them in the U.S. for us? (Our American passports have a one-year Italian Visa in them, showing that we are residents.)