Considering Knights and Lights Trip in December 2013

[Dlafarrell]

The holiday timeframe is ideal for my wife and I getting off work simultaneously. We've never been to Europe and are considering the Knights and Lights trip. One concern I have for this time of the year is the colder, winter weather. What are your thoughts? Would you avoid this time of year?

 

[Tozzie]

The holiday timeframe is ideal for my wife and I getting off work simultaneously. We've never been to Europe and are considering the Knights and Lights trip. One concern I have for this time of the year is the colder, winter weather. What are your thoughts? Would you avoid this time of year?

While I can't do it myself because of vaious commitments and work issues at the holidays I think it would be fantastic to see the Holidays celebrated in a different country. I know a regular poster, Weloveabd, did the Germany Trip over the holidays 2 years ago I think maybe he will be along and give you his perspective

 

[kristilew]

I went to London in January last year, and the weather was cold but not prohibitively so. We did a lot of walking, and were never miserable.

We did wear warm layers, including an insulating layer such as thermal tees or silk tights under our jeans. We also wore longer, quilted, down coats. These were the style there, as well as being practical. It seems like they improve these coats each year, so you could either choose to get some on sale next spring, or wait till just before your trip and get the lightest weight, warmest, most stylish ones - just depends on how you shop.

Because many of the historical sights you'll want to see in London are, well, in old buildings, we were quite comfortable just unzipping our coats, or taking just our coats off. This was a plus for me after doing a winter trip to NYC where every place was so overheated I was constantly dressing and undressing as I went in and out.

I would definitely go back over the holidays. Don't let the cold worry you. I was actually colder when I went in August because I was thinking "summer" and was woefully underdressed!

 

[WeLoveABD]

While I can't do it myself because of vaious commitments and work issues at the holidays I think it would be fantastic to see the Holidays celebrated in a different country. I know a regular poster, Weloveabd, did the Germany Trip over the holidays 2 years ago I think maybe he will be along and give you his perspective

(Hi Tozzie!) Yup--we (as a family of 4--with our DD now 11 3/4 and DS 18 1/2) have done a couple of Christmas-time trips with ABD, and would do them again. One was Germany, the other was Knights and Lights--and K&L we did at Christmas 2008. Paris was in particular very chilly--crazy cold wind at the top of the Effel Tower, which my son to this day counts as one of his best moments standing there with arms out. The Christmas booths in Paris were great--and we did a trip to Disneyland Paris on Christmas Day and loved the holiday decorations. Something to be said for all of the holiday decorations in London, too--and there is a difference in attitude, a holiday spirit. We highly recommend it--also, learning different holiday traditions (meeting up with Father Christmas in Paris, etc). The down side: shorter days, cold weather (we live in San Diego, so it is a treat for us!), and some closures. ABD does a nice job finding things to do/alternatives--in Germany, it was the first Christmas trip that they did, and ABD took us to the Munich circus which opened on Christmas Day. Also--for Christmas eve and Christmas day meals, there were special touches---Disney stays out of the religious aspect, but the guides were knowledgable about Church services (I went with our German guide to midnight services on Christmas eve to hear Silent Night in German; my high school German courses did not help me much when listening to the minister's sermon however!). Flight issues come up as well--in Germany one family flying out of the midwest were stuck there due to snow storms, and caught up with us a couple of days into the trip. We got in a day early to Heidleberg (via Frankfurt) just missing a storm that closed the airport for a day.

With K&L, they have done a great job adding to that trip--especially Stonehenge and Windsor Castle! I imagine Stonehenge will be pretty chilly that time of year. Happy to answer any questions!

 

[SingingMom]

With K&L, they have done a great job adding to that trip--especially Stonehenge and Windsor Castle! I imagine Stonehenge will be pretty chilly that time of year. Happy to answer any questions!

It was pretty chilly at Stonehenge in May! We were drinking hot chocolate and tea!

 

[CinderellaMouse]

I've never been to Europe in December, but I did London and Paris in March. Had to wear winter coats some days, but as long as you dressed appropriately it was fine. And the pp is right about the indoor chill.

IMO, it's much better to go in the winter months than to go in the summer. Put on a coat and avoid the crowds, the heat, and the higher prices that come with the tourist season. After going to Europe in the summer several times, my March trip this year has me sold on off-season travel.

 

[Aulika]

I have never done an ABD however i live in Paris, i need to update my status. December CAN be quite warm but also very cold. I remember in 2009 I coule not find enough layers to stay warm