Questions Europe In December?

Brian Chirgwin wrote:

 > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 > What is the weather like in December?
 > Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?
 > Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)
 > What would we have to wear?
 > Any recommendation on places to stay?
 >
 > We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 > Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trouble finding
 > something (We will probably have Peanut Butter with us)?
 >
 > We are planning to base ourselves at locations and take day trips (by
 > Train or bus) from where we are staying.
 >
 > We are planning to stay in:
 >
 > London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)
  > Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?
 > Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)
 > Amsterdam
 > Munich
 > Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands
 >
 > Any other recommendations?
 >
 > Thanks in advance.


We have done Christmas in Paris and in London with our family and love
to travel at this time of year. I like big cities like Paris, London,
Rome because they are usually full of interesting things to do at any
time of year -- and if you are interested in plays, opera etc, those
things are actually more likely to be available in winter. It is winter
-- that means fairly cold and often rainy -- even in Italy we found it
wintry. --- but if you have good shoes, a warm raincoat etc it is a nice
time of year. In Paris there is an ice rink at the hotel de Ville -- in
London there are all sorts of Christmas markets, concerts, church events
etc --- and of course it is a great time of year to visit museums.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

"Brian Chirgwin" wrote in message

 >
 > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 > What is the weather like in December?

It depends on where you are. Amsterdam is cold. Sicily can be warm.

 > Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?

Sure. My wife and I always travel around Christmas and New Years. Some
years we go to Europe, some years Asia.

 > Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)

I'm not sure what you mean by "tourist areas." Museums, etc. are open.
However, winter is also when renovations are done, so cathedrals may be
surrounded by scaffolding, etc.

 > What would we have to wear?

Clothes, I would think. Honestly, Europe is a very big place, with a
varying climate. You really need to be more specific about where you're
thinking of going.

 > Any recommendation on places to stay?

See above.

 >
 > We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 > Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trouble finding
 > something (We will probably have Peanut Butter with us)?

Not being a vegetarian, I have no idea.

 >
 > We are planning to base ourselves at locations and take day trips (by
 > Train or bus) from where we are staying.

That's a very good plan, and what my wife and I frequently do (though,
sometimes, we'll rent a car).

 >
 > We are planning to stay in:
 >
 > London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)

Definitely visit Bath. Canterbury is nice. Skip Brighton.

 > Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?

My recollection is that they do, but we've never taken them.

 > Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)

I don't know where that is, sorry.

 > Amsterdam

We've been there in December, when it was extremely cold. It is, however,
beautiful, and you'll find very few tourists. The canal boat tours featured
heated boats -- a nice way to get an introdution to the city.

 > Munich

We've been there in early spring, but not in winter. I expect it would be
quite cold. One of our favorite cities -- many nice day trips, lots to see
and do in the city. Have a beer at the Hofbrauhaus for us.

 > Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands

Can't help there, sorry.

 >
 > Any other recommendations?
 >
 > Thanks in advance.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

S Viemeister wrote:

 > Brian Chirgwin wrote:
 >
  >>My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
  >>are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
  >>
  >>London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)
  >> Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?
  >>Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)
  >>Amsterdam
  >>Munich
  >>Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands
  >>
  >>Any other recommendations?
  >>
 >
 > You might want to consider cutting down on the number of places you visit.
 > With only a week and a half, you'll spend most of your trip in transit,
 > rather than exploring.
 > Save some for another time.
 >


oh absolutely -- I'd get an apartment in London and enjoy London --
lousy time of year to be rushing around from village to village --


or maybe do the UK part of this trip OR Amsterdam and Paris -- or
Germany and maybe Viena and Salzburg
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

"S Viemeister" wrote in message

 > Brian Chirgwin wrote:
  > >
  > > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
  > > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
  > >
  > > London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)
  > > Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?
  > > Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)
  > > Amsterdam
  > > Munich
  > > Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands
  > >
  > > Any other recommendations?
  > >
 > You might want to consider cutting down on the number of places you visit.
 > With only a week and a half, you'll spend most of your trip in transit,
 > rather than exploring.
 > Save some for another time.

Good lord, I didn't see the schedule in my post. Yes, I agree completely.
With only ten days, I'd pick one city, perhaps two (London and Amsterdam are
a good pair), and do day trips.

 >
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

 >My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 >are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 >What is the weather like in December?

I'd recommend sticking to Italy and Spain, unless you have a specific
interest in Northern Europe that would make it worth putting up with
the cold weather (e.g. a Christmas market). In Italy and Spain, it's
quite pleasant in winter.

Keep in mind that the Mediterranean gets cold in the winter, and it's
much too cold for the beach.

 >Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?

It's the cheapest time of year, and has the fewest other tourists.
You'll find almost no lines anywhere, and may get deep discounts on
flights and hotels.

 >Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)

In the major cities, everything is open. Opening hours may be a bit
shorter.

Outside of that, it depends. The Greek islands for example almost
totally shut down in winter.

 >What would we have to wear?

Even in Spain and Italy it will get cold at night, so bring a jacket.

 >Any recommendation on places to stay?
 >
 >We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 >Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trouble finding
 >something (We will probably have Peanut Butter with us)?

Bakeries, cafes, and pastry shops are a inexpensive choice that's
vegetarian-friendly.

Unfortunately, the traditional cuisines of most parts of Italy,
France, and Spain are very focused on meat and/or seafood. There
aren't a lot of vegetarian options if you want to experience the local
cuisine...besides cafes you can find some vegetarian options in tapas
bars in Spain or in most Italian restaurants.

If all else fails, larger cities will have international restaurants -
there are lots of Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Thai restaurants
in London, Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam, and Turkish
restaurants in Munich.

 >We are planning to base ourselves at locations and take day trips (by
 >Train or bus) from where we are staying.

That works fine. For a short trip it's a lot easier than having to
constantly move from city and hotel to another city and hotel with
your stuff.

 >We are planning to stay in:
 >
 >London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)
  > Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?
 >Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)
 >Amsterdam
 >Munich
 >Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands
 >
 >Any other recommendations?

Since you're going in December, and for 11 days, I'd recommend either
Rome/Florence/Venice or Barcelona/Seville/Madrid.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

"Brian Chirgwin" wrote in message

 >
 > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 > What is the weather like in December?

Quite cold (depending on your point of view). But don't take my word for
it - <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.weather.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.weather.co.uk/</a>
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 11:23:17 GMT, Brian Chirgwin
wrote:

 >
 >My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 >are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 >What is the weather like in December?
 >Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?
 >Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)
 >What would we have to wear?
 >Any recommendation on places to stay?
 >
When staying with a son in Belgium, I visited London and
Paris, each for a week in December/January. Also visited
Amsterdam for a few days in winter.

There is plenty
to do indoors such as museums, theater, etc. I had a very
warm jacket and silk long underwear and wool slacks which kept
me pretty comfortable walking around. This is not, in my opinion,
the ideal time to visit because one can't really enjoy strolling
about as one can in warmer temperatures. But if you allow for the
cold (and one never knows just how cold it will be nor how wet),
you can have a good time so long as you visit places with extensive
public transportation to get you around. Dress in layers so you can
adjust to the changes in temperatures. My last days in London in
January were quite warmish.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

"Brian Chirgwin" wrote in message

 >
 > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 > What is the weather like in December?

Europe is a big place - parts of Scandinavia can be bitterly cold, parts of
the Med can be almost sunbathing weather on some days. London, Amsterdam,
Paris should be wet and miserable but easilly bearable.

 > Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?

Yes, less tourists around

 > Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)

Plenty - especially in the big cities many of the smaller seasonal
attractions may be closed

 > What would we have to wear?

Plenty of leayers, with the outermost being waterproof.

 > Any recommendation on places to stay?
 >
 > We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 > Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trouble finding
 > something (We will probably have Peanut Butter with us)?
 >

Really shouldn't be a problem, Head for Pizza hut if all else fails.

 > We are planning to base ourselves at locations and take day trips (by
 > Train or bus) from where we are staying.
 >
 > We are planning to stay in:
 >
 > London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)

More than enough to do in London by itself

 > Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?

<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.bigbus.co.uk" target="_blank">www.bigbus.co.uk</a> should tell you (but I think so)

 > Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)

Thats in North Wales a Looooong way from London and not easy to reach by
public transport, its one of those places that might well be closed that
time of year.

 > Amsterdam

Definately worth a few days. plenty of cheap flights from London that time
of year

 > Munich

If you wnat to - but why ?

 > Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands
 >

Will be colder than London

 > Any other recommendations?
 >

Paris ?
Rome ?
Istanbul (more expensive to get to, but a little different)
Moscow.
It depends on your budget.

 > Thanks in advance.

yw
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

Brian Chirgwin wrote:

 > What is the weather like in December?
 > Wovld anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?

Yes. Thovgh I have never travelled to Evrope in December, I freqvently travel
in the "Off Season" and love it! Northern Evrope will definitely have some
snow and some ways throvgh the Alps might be closed, bvt if this does not
bother yov, the benefits of travelling off season (no lines, fewer fellow
tovrists) are great.

(I have done November)

 > Wovld we find enovgh to do? (Are tovrist areas open?)

Definitely. Hovrs might change, and eating al fresco on the Grand Canal in
Venice is ovt, bvt all the major sights and mvsevms are going to be open.

If yov are at all a fan of the Christian Holiday Season, spend some time
in Germany, which really does Christmas vp well. Yov will want to go to
a Christmas Market, drink some Glvhwein, and enjoy the sights.

 > What wovld we have to wear?

Layer, Layer, Layer, and make svre yov have a good waterproof layer for the
ovtside. Rain will be a problem in more of Evrope on more days than snow.
Getting wet and cold is what yov want to avoid.

 > Any recommendation on places to stay?

Many, that depends on where yov go.


 > We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 > Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trovble finding
 > something (We will probably have Peanvt Bvtter with vs)?

I'm a vegetarian and have travelled in Evrope a lot. The only place I have
really had problems, if yov are an ovo-lacto vegetarian is some small towns
in France. Check ovt the International Vegetarian Union's web page. Some
specific covntry things.

Mvch of Evrope has chinese and indian restavrants. Indian cooking is practically
indigenovs in Britain. Both of these cvisines have great options for
vegetarians. If yov go to Amsterdam, indonesian restavrants are great, bvt
have a limited nvmber of vegetarian options. Yov can, however, talk to the
maitre'd before yov sit down and arrange something off menv.

In Germany there are a lot of Imbiss stands with tvrkish and middle eastern
cooking, which often inclvdes falafel and hvmmovs, great for vegetarians. In
the sovtheast of Germany, in Schwabia, specialities like Kasespaetzle and
Pfifferlinge mit Rahm (Chanterelles in a cream savce) mit Semmelknodle (a
bread dvmpling) are wonderfvl, too. Remember beer and wine are vegetarian.

In Italy it's very easy, nearly every menv has vegetarian antipasta, and pasta
dishes, and occasionally a meatless entree (nearly always grilled or baked
eggplant). Bvt I find I can rarely manage a fvll Italian meal anyway; pasta
and a salad is great. And there are often a great variety of meatless pastas.
Polenta is likewise wonderfvl. Watch risotto, as it is vsvally made with
some kind of broth (rarely vegetable broth). They also have a dessert (panna
cotta, perhaps) which is like a cvstard with some kind of berry savce which
is vsvally made with gelatin.

In France I fovnd some difficvlties sometimes in the covntryside. My best
response to this was to picnic. I'd go in a bakery and pick vp a loaf of Pain
Ordinaire or a bagvette, go to a cheese shop and get some cheese, to an open
air market to get some frvit and vegetables and find a spot to sit and eat it
(in december that will be harder, bvt a train station is one warm place yov
covld sit and enjoy svch a repast) Or yovr hotel room.

In England/Scotland, there are a covple pvb meals that are pretty
vegetarian. Many Plovghman's Platters are, and if they are not, they
will often svbstitvte. That's a bit of fat there, since it involves lots
of cheese, bvt it's good. Wine Bars will have salads, and yov can look
for Vegetarian Restavrants.

Unfortvnatley when I was last in Edinbvrgh I was still eating meat.

Hope this all helps.

Jvlie


 > We are planning to base ovrselves at locations and take day trips (by
 > Train or bvs) from where we are staying.

 > We are planning to stay in:

 > London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)
  > Do the London on/off tovr bvses rvn in December?
 > Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not mvch to do, relaxing)
 > Amsterdam
 > Mvnich
 > Edinborvgh/Scottland Highlands

 > Any other recommendations?

I recommend Italy highly, bvt it looks like it is ovt of the qvestion for this
trip.
 > Thanks in advance.

--
Jvlie
**********
Check ovt my Travel Pages (non-commercial) at
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm" target="_blank">http://www.dragonsholm.org/travel.htm</a>
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 11:23:17 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, Brian Chirgwin
arranged some electrons, so they looked like this :

...
... My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
... are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
...
... What is the weather like in December?

Where in Europe ? There is some difference between Finland and Greece, I hope you know.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

In article ,
.invalid (Brian Chirgwin) wrote:

 >
 > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 > What is the weather like in December?

Probably coat-hat-mittens weather in all the places you mention, and
potentially much colder in the Scottish Highlands. Snow is possible, but
not certain.

 > Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?

I would slightly recommend against the timing for a London trip as shops,
restaurants and pubs become hysterically busy in the run-up to Christmas.

 > Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)

Nothing will have closed for Christmas this early - a few tourist
attractions, however, open in the summer only. There'll be plenty to do in
the cities.

 > We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 > Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trouble finding
 > something (We will probably have Peanut Butter with us)?

No problem in the places you mention, though if you are staying at a B&B
in the Scottish countryside you should tell them in advance.
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

"Miss L. Toe" wrote:

 >


  >>

  >> Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)
 >
 >Thats in North Wales a Looooong way from London and not easy to reach by
 >public transport, its one of those places that might well be closed that
 >time of year.
 >
I think Portmeirion has a short season, closing about October. Even if
it is open, the journey is probably disproportionately long and
cumbersome in relation to the amount of time you might find it
interesting.

It's not really a good option in December, much as I like north Wales.
Put it on your list for a future visit. Package it with Conwy,
Portmadoc, Caernarfon, mountain railways, scenery, and hiking.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December? 

"Brian Chirgwin" wrote in message

 >
 > My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to Europe this December (we
 > are from the US). Rough dates are Dec. 10th-21st.
 >
 > What is the weather like in December?

Colder than at other times of the year. How cold is not particularly
predictable for the UK or other parts of Europe that have an Atlantic
climate. A weather station to the west of London has recorded December
tempertatures that vary from -17.3C (1981) to 15.7C (1985) (1F to 60F),
although the mean monthly temperature is around 5C (41F).

 > Would anyone recommend taking a trip at this time?

I usually do, to avoid spending Christmas in the UK. Preferred destinations
are around the Mediterranean, although it can still be quite chilly even
there.

 > Would we find enough to do? (Are tourist areas open?)

Some will be closed, but there will be plenty that are open. I rather doubt
that Portmerion will be open though.

 > What would we have to wear?

Depends on the weather, so take lots of thin layers that you can put on or
take off to suit. In the UK, December is usually one of the wettest months
(slightly ahead of August), so something waterproof is a good idea.

 > ...
 > We are vegetarian (no meat, fish, chicken. Dairy, eggs and milk, ok).
 > Any recommendations on places to eat? We will have trouble finding
 > something (We will probably have Peanut Butter with us)?

You shouldn't have much trouble in the UK. Most menus will have something
vegetarian on them.

....
 > London (day trips to Windsor, and ?)
 > Do the London on/off tour buses run in December?
 > Portmeirion Village (middle of trip as not much to do, relaxing)
 > Amsterdam
 > Munich
 > Edinborugh/Scottland Highlands
 >
 > Any other recommendations?

I would advise reducing your ambitions. You won't see much in eleven days if
you spend most of the time travelling.

Colin Bignell
 >> Stay informed about: Questions Europe In December?