Christmas Trips

Costa Rica?? We had a great time and I still ahve all my magazines and brochures from when we went that you could use???

Do you like to cruise???

One of the best Christmases I ever had was Christmas in London, followed by Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) in Edinburgh, Scotland.
London was festive and Dickensian, and Hogmanay was the street party to end all street parties. And the celebrating continued for a week.
Hogmanay

I think Quebec would be a delightful Christmas trip. Have been to Vancouver in the springtime and loved it.

Paris, I am not so sure. Might be rather gloomy, but the cafes would be warm and inviting.

My brother in law had a great ski trip to the Italian Alps two years ago.
My brother goes to ski Banff often and has always enjoyed it.

It's definitely cheaper, but you have to book ahead because pricing gets tricky around the actual holidays.

Keep us posted. I would love to know what you end up doing so I can vicariously enjoy it.

we always stay home, can't get time off around christmas....

A number of my friends, including some on this board, have been tossing around the idea of taking a trip somewhere this Christmas.

It seems like it could be a fun time to get away, as work schedules slow down and if we plan it correctly- prices are lower.

Originally, our thoughts were something with mountains and snow -The Italian Alps, Germany, Austria, Banff or Vancouver etc.

A city trip might be fun- Paris, Quebec, Rome.

I have traveled for Xmas once, to southern Italy, it was great fun, but I would love to hear about other peoples experiences with trips at this time of year.

Anyone been to Paris in December? How is it? Too cold? etc.......

Any thoughts about more exotic locations like Morocco?

Uncle Timmy: were your ears ringing right now????

My husband and I will be in Paris for Xmas - we do so every year and absolutely love it - Paris is magical that time of year and the french are generally in good spirits!! I say go for it and let's hook up! Do not worry about the cold - everyone walks there - and actually the past 2 winters were mild! And living here, isn't the idea of bundling up a bit and savoring wonderfully warm french treats enticing?????

AND, we also are talking about tagging on 5-7 days for a Morocco trip - it is one of my favorite countries - architecturally stunning! I have spent time in Morocco in the summer before and I definitely would avoid that again primarily because of heat and also because of large number of tourists. Fall and winter is best time to go.

Let me know.....

Yay Chickpea! A Parisian expert!

And living here, isn't the idea of bundling up a bit and savoring wonderfully warm french treats enticing?????

Indeed--I was *freezing* last February, but I'm old. Some red wine warmed me up though.
Lufthansa is having a nice sale to Europe now, but the holidays are blacked out.
Lufthansa
However, if you can get a decently-priced flight to London, there are all sorts of cheapo flights from there.
which budget
Fly Cheapo
Uncle Timmy, if you happen to be a student, the fares would be even cheaper.
I'll post this site just in case you or somebody else happens to be a student:
STA

We went to Paris two years ago during the February vacation period--yes, it was a little cold, but not awful (we were living in upstate NY--nothing is as cold)--and the great thing was that the museums were not overcrowded, the people in resturants were very nice--and some of the richer French food (not to mention the wine!) tasted just right after a long day treking around. We even went to Versailles for a day--and wound up being the only people finishing up a tour at the end of the day--being almost alone in Versailles is a wonderful memory.
About the only thing we couldn't do was to sit outside in a cafe--but daughter found French clothing stores and she and her brother found a tony dance club "Les Bains"--and they had one of the best nights of their lives. (daughter was even complimented by the French on her clothes! ) We stayed in a modest hotel where my college had put up students on terms abroad--I would LOVE to be in Paris at Christmas.

Uncle Timmy: were your ears ringing right now????

My husband and I will be in Paris for Xmas - we do so every year and absolutely love it - Paris is magical that time of year and the french are generally in good spirits!! I say go for it and let's hook up! Do not worry about the cold - everyone walks there - and actually the past 2 winters were mild! And living here, isn't the idea of bundling up a bit and savoring wonderfully warm french treats enticing?????

Thanks everybody for the good info.

There are so many great possible trips to consider!

Chickpea, it would be great funn to bum around Paris together! Allifunn and Cork are in on this as well, so I expect they will chime in soon about a possible trip to Paris. I guess the weather won't matter as much in a place like Paris where you are indoors visiting museums etc.

Keep the good ideas coming!

I guess the weather won't matter as much in a place like Paris where you are indoors visiting museums etc.

Keep the good ideas coming!

Au contraire. The weather isn't bad at all and you'll be outdoors far more than you think. When I was in Paris early last January, I had my coat unzipped most of the time because it wasn't that cold. The cafes have heavy duty space heaters on the sidewalks so you won't even miss out on people watching. The only thing you will miss in the winter is leaves on the trees and hordes of tourists. And you'll have the added bonus of all seeing all the wonderful Christmas displays--much different than ours--and all the nativity scenes in the churches. Some of them, like the one in St. Sulpice, are amazing.

Thanks everybody for the good info.

There are so many great possible trips to consider!

Chickpea, it would be great funn to bum around Paris together! Allifunn and Cork are in on this as well, so I expect they will chime in soon about a possible trip to Paris. I guess the weather won't matter as much in a place like Paris where you are indoors visiting museums etc.

Keep the good ideas coming!

Uncle Timmy: it would be funn....and I have loads of friends (from all walks of life!) who would also love to join in. Keep us posted and we can plan accordingly. Like I said, we will be there anyways.

Mermaid is right -decorations are fabulous in Paris -understated but very powerful.

Spain and Portugal are also funn places to visit. YOu cannot go wrong at any of the places you are considering!

Thanks everybody for the good info.

There are so many great possible trips to consider!

Chickpea, it would be great funn to bum around Paris together! Allifunn and Cork are in on this as well, so I expect they will chime in soon about a possible trip to Paris. I guess the weather won't matter as much in a place like Paris where you are indoors visiting museums etc.

Keep the good ideas coming!

I am game for ANYTHING!!!! Paris would be great! Maybe I'll find amore'

I like to be in our primary residence for Christmas. In early December it's funn to shop in NYC. After Christmas, chilling in SoWal is better than any exotic vacation destination, IMO.

I am game for ANYTHING!!!! Paris would be great! Maybe I'll find amore'

That would be great - can maybe help point you in a direction or two One quick tip - if you buy an airline ticket for AFTER christmas, prices go down .....

That would be great - can maybe help point you in a direction or two One quick tip - if you buy an airline ticket for AFTER christmas, prices go down .....

Even on Christmas Day, the fare goes down. But then it's not quite a Christmas trip, is it?

That would be great - can maybe help point you in a direction or two One quick tip - if you buy an airline ticket for AFTER christmas, prices go down .....

Cork & I plan on traveling Christmas day and returning NYE day....thus keeping the costs low. I really want to be with my kids Christmas Eve.

Uncle Timmy: it would be funn....and I have loads of friends (from all walks of life!) who would also love to join in. Keep us posted and we can plan accordingly. Like I said, we will be there anyways.

There is no better way to visit a place than to have the opportunity to spend some time with the locals; the fact that you have some friends there may be the single best reason for a Paris trip. I am getting excited!

Where is Cork for this discussion? She needs to pipe in before Allifunn and I single handedly decide on this location.

Ou est CorksurlaMer?

FWIW
Northwest is having a sale for domestic and international travel between December 2-20. Still looking at about $900 after taxes, ATL>CDG.

Condor Airlines, which we flew out of Orlando last summer, is showing about $855 after taxes roundtrip Orlando>Paris for mid-December travel, returning early January.

And how about Business Class New York to London, then perhaps the Eurostar to Paris?
$999, taxes included, travel Nov 1-Feb 28.
Book by Oct 1

I'll be in Jacksonville by then , so my Christmas trip will be driving back HERE:clap_1: to be with family and friends........no better place I can think of to be

Uncle Timmy: it would be funn....and I have loads of friends (from all walks of life!) who would also love to join in. Keep us posted and we can plan accordingly. Like I said, we will be there anyways.

Mermaid is right -decorations are fabulous in Paris -understated but very powerful.

Spain and Portugal are also funn places to visit. YOu cannot go wrong at any of the places you are considering!

I would LOVE to meet some of your friends!!!! And I would love to see you in France....:clap_1:

I would LOVE to meet some of your friends!!!! And I would love to see you in France....:clap_1:

here it is Cork

I haven't read this thread...but i'm going to put this out there:

Jfunn
Wfunn
Kfunn
Phead
Mermaid
Dargster
Kitty

are all confirmed for NYE. These are confirmed, so if you are going to be around and i didn't list you, it's because you did not confirm. So leave Sowal and this crew wil turn the joint upside down.

I haven't read this thread...but i'm going to put this out there:

Jfunn
Wfunn
Kfunn
Phead
Mermaid
Dargster
Kitty

are all confirmed for NYE. These are confirmed, so if you are going to be around and i didn't list you, it's because you did not confirm. So leave Sowal and this crew wil turn the joint upside down.

that sounds funn. confirmed for what exactly on NYE? Red Bar?

Been there, done that... wore the hat. we celebrate at home on NYE. but hope to see you all before or after!!!

that sounds funn. confirmed for what exactly on NYE? Red Bar?

Been there, done that... wore the hat. we celebrate at home on NYE. but hope to see you all before or after!!!

I think I'm coming down with Phead on the 28th or so. Then we'll be at and on the Red Bar. But we'll come play with you and Kurt and Spidey at Chez Daddy-O. Don't you worry!

Sorry Uncle Tim but I'm here and I'm in! Allifunn and I were just talking and we should probably fly out of Atlanta so we all depart and arrive into same city to keep it simple.

Allifunn wants to leave Christmas night to be with her kids and the flights are usually dirt cheap at that time. Last time I was in London, it was really expensive plus the trip over from the mainland will add quite a bit to the cost so we should probably forget London this time.

Best new years ever is Salzburg Austria.

I think Amsterdam is a must. huh?
How bout the Glacier Express to Zurich ? Beautiful ride!

Roma and Venezia for sure. Paris is great!

Let me check out some flights and once we know where we're gonna fly into, we'll get reservations.

Last time I was in London, it was really expensive plus the trip over from the mainland will add quite a bit to the cost so we should probably forget London this time.
s.

EasyJet
Don't forget how cheap EasyJet or RyanAir are. $50 one way from London to Paris is not bad and there is cheap decent lodging near Paddington Station--or in the Bloomsbury district, which is within walking distance of the British Museum.
You could fly into London and out of Amsterdam--just a thought.
Or Berlin? It is very hip and lots to do there.
HLX is another airline we used last summer which was inexpensive and very nice.
HLX flies to many destinations, but just now I noticed they are running winter specials and had Berlin to Venice in late December for 38 euros per seat (one way,after taxes) that's about $48 right now.
Okay, I'll stop.

EasyJet
Don't forget how cheap EasyJet or RyanAir are. $50 one way from London to Paris is not bad and there is cheap decent lodging near Paddington Station--or in the Bloomsbury district, which is within walking distance of the British Museum.
You could fly into London and out of Amsterdam--just a thought.
Or Berlin? It is very hip and lots to do there.
HLX is another airline we used last summer which was inexpensive and very nice.
HLX flies to many destinations, but just now I noticed they are running winter specials and had Berlin to Venice in late December for 38 euros per seat (one way,after taxes) that's about $48 right now.
Okay, I'll stop.

Cork...are you taking notes? Thanks Cil!!!!:clap_1: