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Travel to Italy, Germany, and Belgium during Christmas season

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Two years ago I took my granddaughters to Paris, then to London for the New Year's fireworks and then on to Edinburgh, Scotland during Christmas vacation as both my granddaughters are in school and this school vacation allows for the most travel days. The weather was horrible from the day we arrived until the day we left. We traveled to the highlands of Scotland and wasn't able to see much because of the very short days and the weather. Shops also closed very early so we could not even do much shopping because of the short days. I am thinking about making a Christmas trip to Italy, Germany, and Belgium and I was wondering if anyone had traveled to these areas during December/January. Do the shops and events close early? Is the weather in these countries as bad as it seems to be in Great Britain? We had a good time, but we felt like we missed out on so much. We normally travel to Europe in April and it is just beautiful during that time (not too cold, not too hot).

Thanks for any input that you might have

Posted by
11613 posts

I have done this trip for the past two years. I stayed in Brugge, Speyer (near Frankfurt), and Roma.

Christmas markets in Brugge and Germany, not much in Italy. Early closings on Christmas Eve and closings on Christmas Day, some places also close on December 26. Early closings on New Year's Eve and closings New Year's Day, but restaurants are open.

Weather: no snow the last two years but cold enough for a down jacket, even in Roma. Otherwise good weather.

Posted by
23267 posts

We were in the same area several years ago and encountered a fair amount of snow and mostly overcast days when it wasn't snowing. Being from Colorado it didn't bother us as we were prepared for that type of weather. We had one bad day in Germany because of icing on the wires. That badly disrupted train schedules. Not sure where you are from but the days are shorter. Most of central Europe is as far north as the Canadian border is in North American. The sun is up late and to bed early. We enjoyed our time but we were prepared. It not like going to Florida.

Since this isn't a trip report, you should consider moving your question the Question and Answer section under General Europe. You might get more answers.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks for your posts. I am from Florida so I am probably less adaptable to the weather but love the cold. I think it is the short days that are more bothersome than the cold. It sounds as if the weather may be somewhat similar to what we ecountered in Great Britain but not as bad.

Posted by
23267 posts

You cannot do anything about shorter days and the days will be shorter since you will much further north. Look at a globe. Florida is roughly on line with southern Algeria, Libya and Egypt. Paris matches up with Winnipeg and New York is equal to southern Spain.

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