September/October 2014 Roll Call

[Travel Mum]

Wow, that is a wirlwind trip! But, on the flipside, 6.5 weeks in Europe! I'm so jealous. I've just been mentally planning a similar length trip to Europe which I figure will take me 2 1/2 years to save for.
What country are you spending Xmas in?

Yes it will have been about 2 1/2 years of planning /saving by the time we go too. We are doing Munich, Fussen, Seefeld-in-Tirol, Colmar (Alsace), Paris (where we will be for Christmas and the plan is currently to be at Disneyland on Christmas Day), London (will be there over New Years), Venice, Rome and then an 10 night Eastern Med cruise including Athens and Istanbul etc.

Much of this is a repeat for DH and I but our girls have never been to UK/Europe so it's a trip to introduce them to it. But I've never been over winter (and would not ideally have chosen to go if it was not for having to work around high school holidays) so I'm trying to make the most of experiencing some European Christmas markets

 

[Travel Mum]

Zanzibar I read your Europe in winter trip report with great interest!

 

[zanzibar138]

Zanzibar I read your Europe in winter trip report with great interest!

When I read your comment about having to go over Christmas I suddenly remembered that you followed my TR Christmas time in Paris will be amazing

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yes it will have been about 2 1/2 years of planning /saving by the time we go too. We are doing Munich, Fussen, Seefeld-in-Tirol, Colmar (Alsace), Paris (where we will be for Christmas and the plan is currently to be at Disneyland on Christmas Day), London (will be there over New Years), Venice, Rome and then an 10 night Eastern Med cruise including Athens and Istanbul etc.

Much of this is a repeat for DH and I but our girls have never been to UK/Europe so it's a trip to introduce them to it. But I've never been over winter (and would not ideally have chosen to go if it was not for having to work around high school holidays) so I'm trying to make the most of experiencing some European Christmas markets

That sounds wonderful. I'm particularly envious of the places in the middle (Fussen, Seefeld-in-Tirol, and Colmar) as those are the kind of places I loved to visit in Europe.

I had to google Colmar as I haven't been to that area of the world, and the images that came up look gorgeous. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.

I know winter doesn't sound like an ideal time to visit, and there are some cons (e.g. drastically shortened daylight hours), but there are SO many benefits. Xmas in Europe is just magic and the Christmas markets are amazing. Walking past the stalls, smelling the gingerbread and mulled wine, seeing people ice skating in the outdoor rinks, or stopping listening to carollers sing - there is just nothing like it here in the Southern Hemisphere. Xmas feels far less commercial over there and much more magical.
Some of DH's fondest European memories are from winter. When we have saved enough to return to Europe, he wants it to be for Xmas so we can hole up in some small Alpine village.

I spent some time in the Fussen and Austrian Tirol region in the depths of winter and have plenty of pics if you wnat me to dig some out and post them. Neuschwanstein is quite lovely all covered in snow. It kind of takes on a blueish tinge which makes for some interesting pics.

The cruise at the end sounds great. I loved my Eastern Med cruise, particularly the ports of Mykonos, Santorini, and Dubrovnik. Are you stopping at any of those?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

By the way, there is a gorgeous little town very close to Fussen called Oberammergau. Visit it if you get the chance. It has a delightful history and beautifully painted buildings. It looks lovely all covered in snow.

 

[dabecs]

Everyone's plans sound so exciting! Planning for Europe must be hard, so many possibilities and add in the travel options and the prices!

I'll stick with the States for now

I'm not sure when we will take the girls (they are too young now anyway to really appreciate it) but I think a cruise would be a great way to do at least some of it.

I will read along with everyone else, unless someone has found a money tree I could harvest

I haven't done anymore planning for our trip, we move in a month and then I will focus on the trip once we have settled in. I'm looking forward to getting back into trip planning - beats packing any day!

 

[zanzibar138]

Planning for Europe must be hard, so many possibilities and add in the travel options and the prices!

It's crazy because it's all so close. You think of all the things you could do while you're 'in the area'. But before you know it you've got 3 months and $50k worth of stuff you want to see and do The hardest part is deciding what to prioritise.

Having said that, we have the same problem with Asia!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

It's crazy because it's all so close. You think of all the things you could do while you're 'in the area'. But before you know it you've got 3 months and $50k worth of stuff you want to see and do The hardest part is deciding what to prioritise.

Having said that, we have the same problem with Asia!

I agree. Picking from the options in Europe is like being a kid in a candy store.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

I can second Xmas in Europe is amazing-and you do get good weather days (sunny and crisp) as well as snowy or rainy ones; the atmosphere is amazing and yes, much less commercialised. Shops in little towns always do lovely Xmas displays even butchers, bakers etc. The big towns do lots of strung lights. There are the markets and carolers as everyone has mentioned. The shorter days do mean you try to do less in a day so aren't as exhausted as a summer trip and don't have the problems of Aussie kids being unable to sleep because its so light outside at 10pm. We found our first winter trip when our DD was 6 one of our most relaxing and favourite and its on her top trips list.

 

[Montanabel]

We are flying out of Sydney (from North Coast NSW) but going with Virgin

I really like Virgin, but DH is a bit of a nervous flyer, he only relaxes when he is on a 'big plane' - so finding flights on an A380 both ways was how I got him to agree to this trip.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I can second Xmas in Europe is amazing-and you do get good weather days (sunny and crisp) as well as snowy or rainy ones; the atmosphere is amazing and yes, much less commercialised. Shops in little towns always do lovely Xmas displays even butchers, bakers etc. The big towns do lots of strung lights. There are the markets and carolers as everyone has mentioned. The shorter days do mean you try to do less in a day so aren't as exhausted as a summer trip and don't have the problems of Aussie kids being unable to sleep because its so light outside at 10pm. We found our first winter trip when our DD was 6 one of our most relaxing and favourite and its on her top trips list.

 

[Travel Mum]

That sounds wonderful. I'm particularly envious of the places in the middle (Fussen, Seefeld-in-Tirol, and Colmar) as those are the kind of places I loved to visit in Europe.

I had to google Colmar as I haven't been to that area of the world, and the images that came up look gorgeous. I'm looking forward to hearing about it.

I know winter doesn't sound like an ideal time to visit, and there are some cons (e.g. drastically shortened daylight hours), but there are SO many benefits. Xmas in Europe is just magic and the Christmas markets are amazing. Walking past the stalls, smelling the gingerbread and mulled wine, seeing people ice skating in the outdoor rinks, or stopping listening to carollers sing - there is just nothing like it here in the Southern Hemisphere. Xmas feels far less commercial over there and much more magical.
Some of DH's fondest European memories are from winter. When we have saved enough to return to Europe, he wants it to be for Xmas so we can hole up in some small Alpine village.

I spent some time in the Fussen and Austrian Tirol region in the depths of winter and have plenty of pics if you wnat me to dig some out and post them. Neuschwanstein is quite lovely all covered in snow. It kind of takes on a blueish tinge which makes for some interesting pics.

The cruise at the end sounds great. I loved my Eastern Med cruise, particularly the ports of Mykonos, Santorini, and Dubrovnik. Are you stopping at any of those?

Thanks Wanderlust, it makes me feel more excited reading that. I do wish we'd had time for more Alpine villages but, as it's our girls first trip, I thought it was important to prioritize the big four of London, Paris, Venice and Rome - London, Paris and Rome are our longest stays.

Yes, the sole reason we are visiting Colmar is because I have fallen in love of the look of Colmar at Christmas. Just Google "Colmar les marches de noel" and you will see what I mean.

Our cruise does different ports to yours. Our cruise is:
Day
1 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
2 At Sea
3 Olympia (Katakolon), Greece
4 Athens (Piraeus), Greece
5 Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey
6 Istanbul, Turkey
7 Istanbul, Turkey
8 At Sea
9 At Sea
10 Naples, Italy
11 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

The port stops are all new places to DH and me so that's good.

 

[Travel Mum]

I can second Xmas in Europe is amazing-and you do get good weather days (sunny and crisp) as well as snowy or rainy ones; the atmosphere is amazing and yes, much less commercialised. Shops in little towns always do lovely Xmas displays even butchers, bakers etc. The big towns do lots of strung lights. There are the markets and carolers as everyone has mentioned. The shorter days do mean you try to do less in a day so aren't as exhausted as a summer trip and don't have the problems of Aussie kids being unable to sleep because its so light outside at 10pm. We found our first winter trip when our DD was 6 one of our most relaxing and favourite and its on her top trips list.

Oh Aussie Wendy, thanks and that is fantastic to hear !!

 

[PrincessInOz]

By the way, there is a gorgeous little town very close to Fussen called Oberammergau. Visit it if you get the chance. It has a delightful history and beautifully painted buildings. It looks lovely all covered in snow.

Passion Play. Every 10 years. The next one will be in 2020.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Passion Play. Every 10 years. The next one will be in 2020.

That's the one The residents made a pledge to God that if their village wasn't affected by the plague, they would put on a play every 10 years.
The villagers spoke so proudly of the play - it certainly sounds like a pretty impressive event.
I also loved the woodcarving history of the village. We bought a hand-carved cuckoo clock in Oberammergau, and every time I look at it it brings back happy memories

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Thanks Wanderlust, it makes me feel more excited reading that. I do wish we'd had time for more Alpine villages but, as it's our girls first trip, I thought it was important to prioritize the big four of London, Paris, Venice and Rome - London, Paris and Rome are our longest stays. Yes, the sole reason we are visiting Colmar is because I have fallen in love of the look of Colmar at Christmas. Just Google "Colmar les marches de noel" and you will see what I mean. Our cruise does different ports to yours. Our cruise is: Day 1 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy 2 At Sea 3 Olympia (Katakolon), Greece 4 Athens (Piraeus), Greece 5 Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey 6 Istanbul, Turkey 7 Istanbul, Turkey 8 At Sea 9 At Sea 10 Naples, Italy 11 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy The port stops are all new places to DH and me so that's good.

Colmar looks just stunning. It reminds me of the some of the medieval villages I visited in Germany. So quaint and charming.

You're correct - your cruise is quite different to mine. The only port the same is Katakolon/Olympia. What ship are you going on?

 

[Travel Mum]

Colmar looks just stunning. It reminds me of the some of the medieval villages I visited in Germany. So quaint and charming.

You're correct - your cruise is quite different to mine. The only port the same is Katakolon/Olympia. What ship are you going on?

NCL Jade 10 night Eastern Med cruise. I'm a diehard RCCL fan so this will be a change for me!! However, as the only choices at this time of year were MSC, Costa or NCL - it was a no-brainer as I'd take a U.S. cruise company over an Italian one any day

 

[WanderlustNZ]

NCL Jade 10 night Eastern Med cruise. I'm a diehard RCCL fan so this will be a change for me!! However, as the only choices at this time of year were MSC, Costa or NCL - it was a no-brainer as I'd take a U.S. cruise company over an Italian one any day

Good choice. I have cruised with Costa and wouldn't recommend them. The decor and food were nice, the ports were amazing, and the cruise was cheap, so overall I had a blast. But what got to me was the public announcements in about 6 different languages. By the time they got around to speaking English, you had tuned the whole message out anyway, and missed whatever it was they had to say. Also, I love trivia quizzes, but attending one in so many languages was just painful.

 

[TulipsNZ]

Just an update on us, we have changed our trip quite a bit and are now coming via London. So
12th Sept Auckland to London, London to Canada on the 19th, to LA on the 21st, Legoland on the 21st/22nd to Disney on the night of the 22nd until the 28th flying back to Auckland that night.

So so excited!

 

[zanzibar138]

Just an update on us, we have changed our trip quite a bit and are now coming via London. So
12th Sept Auckland to London, London to Canada on the 19th, to LA on the 21st, Legoland on the 21st/22nd to Disney on the night of the 22nd until the 28th flying back to Auckland that night.

So so excited!

Wow, what an exciting trip!