KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Original Title: Europe in December

Hi,
I'm drawn by the promotional prices on the Europe tour packages offered by Fivestars. Can anyone advise on the weather and scenery in Europe around December?? Can I still see some greenery and wildflowers around the mountain areas? What abt the quality of Fivestar tours (e.g food, hotel accomodation)?
Thanks! 8)

Mum@work wrote:Can anyone advise on the weather and scenery in Europe around December??

Hi Mum@work!

Wow! Europe in December will be very cold. Daylight will be short, too. It gets dark at around 3 pm, so you won't have much time to see things.

Mum@work wrote:Can I still see some greenery and wildflowers around the mountain areas?

Greenery? Don't think you can see this in winter.

Which countries in Europe are you planning to go?

Depends on what you are after, but don't bank on flowers. Trees will be very bereft of leaves also. But if you go nearer to Xmas time, there are certain Xmas villages in eg Germany. I heard it's very good (but very very cold). Read before they will set up little stalls in the marketplace selling Xmas stuff, very festive indeed.

Sorry, no experience with tour groups. It depends on what you want. Europe is generally navigable, but if you want R&R, tour group will allow you to sit back and not have to figure out where/how to go next. 8)

Hi guys,

Thanks for your reply! I was looking at the package that covers Germany, Switzerland and France in 10 days. Wanted to join the tour to save myself the hassle and agony of planning for a trip...
But it seems like December is not a good time to go Europe...

Mum@work wrote:But it seems like December is not a good time to go Europe...

If you must follow the school calendar, go in June. Else, August-October will be good.

Noted. Thanks for your advice!! 8)

actually... if its for experience sake, december in Europe has its own share of things to discover...

the freezing cold for one!

if you're lucky, snow... but i think that's more in january.. not too sure... i enjoyed my trip to England and Amsterdam in December/January when i was a kid...

i started in London and surrounding towns which were closed for about 3 or 4 days after christmas... interesting walking around deserted streets and parks... very few people walking around... i think that shaped my preference for wandering around cities walking aimlessly...

Den Haag (Amsterdam) is a coastal town/city that had amazing shopping(for the 12 yr old kid i was)... freezing my butt off walking around near the windy beaches... something you cannot experience this part of the world.

warm shopping malls with high glass ceilings...

i dunno about tours though... have never been on one...

Actually I prefer europe in May - it's cool and the crowds are not in yet. June to August is their peak period, everything's more expensive and crowds everywhere. if you intend to go in August, I believe in some parts (like france/UK), this is their usual holiday season - lotsa crowds, many places may not be open.

Was in Netherlands this year. If anyone ever itend to go there, get the museumkaart (you can buy in museums there), gets you free/priority entrance to most museums in Netherlands. it was amazing seeing van gogh, vermeer, rembrandt so close....(I'm not art-inclined but those were gorgeous). You'll save loads if you even if you intend to visit only the major museums.

>> But it seems like December is not a good time to go Europe...

Actually do think its nice to go Europe during December time, to enjoy the coldness and snow.

One bad thing is the day is too short, can't do much sightseeing.

I had my honeymoon from mid-Dec to early-Jan, was snowing almost every day, but was fun. Wld love to bring DS, maybe not that long and only selective countries like Switzerland, Germany and Netherlands.

My advice if you have young kids please do not to join group tour that include 3 countries in a short 10 days. It requires early morning departure each morning and going back to hotel late at night just to cover many places within the short period. Lack of sleep and rest for both adults and children will be a frustrating experience. Europe tour usually does not have many program tailor for kids. Hence, if you have younger children, they may not appreciate the beautiful scenary, musem and historical visits. It is best to go free and easy and join day or short days tours from a base city. If you have only 2 weeks, plan around 2 countries and your family can enjoy the countries at a more comfortable pace.

Every season in Europe has its beauty. Winter has its advantages and less people to jostle with. Also, enjoy the cold weather and have a cup of tea/coffee with your loves ones in Paris side street, or browse through the many chocolate shops in Belgium with your children.

My family will be going to London and Paris in Nov/Dec. We always travel free & easy and never try to go to many places in a short period. We plan to visit my husband's college and my daughter wants to visit Cambridge and Oxford for its fame university. Enjoy a leisure holiday. Don't be rush! Our relationship with our children became closer as we have more time to communicate on subjects which we seldom touch on in Singapore.