A3M

We're a family of four, kids 20 and 18 and december is the only month we can travel given our schedules.
The family wants to travel to Europe...
We love the outdoors, country life, driving around, art and culture... The weather is cold I know but is it worth doing a holiday...

Rubicund

You don't say how long you'll have, so it's a bit difficult to recommend, but: in December there won't be much going on in the countryside and south of Rome most of the well known places will be closed for the winter. That leaves you with the big cities, such as Rome, Florence and Venice which will fulfill your art and culture criteria.

Spain is a bit more outdoor friendly, if you go South to Anadalucia, but of course there's Barcelona, Madrid and half a dozen other great cities to see.

It certainly is a good time to see Europe, as the tourists will be thinner on the ground.

A3M

Thanks, dates are 18 to 28 December.
Do you recommend I look at Spain instead, can we do some outdoorsy stuff there?
Thanks again.

Blueeyedcod

Not sure what you mean exactly by 'outdoorsy stuff' but you can still hike in places like the Amalfi Coast, Capri and the Sorrentine Peninsula - Southern Italy. It doesn't snow (well it snowed in Naples in January but that was extremely rare) but it can be rainy. However my experience of winter in the area - December/January - has been temperatures of 18-20 degrees and beautiful sunshine.
You can ride bikes in Rome in the Borghese Gardens and along the Appian Way if you're in Rome - in fact its a good time to travel as the Italian winter holidays begin at Christmas so you'll get some bargain hotel prices before then.
Also, Christmas in Rome has to be seen to be believed. There is an enormous presepe (nativity scene) at St. Peter's Square and giant Christmas trees. The streets in the historic centre have beautiful lights. If you're from a cold country like Canada you may even find the temperatures very mild.

Blueeyedcod

Edit the above comment to add- the Amalfi Coast is very quiet in December but still some hotels and restaurants are open. If you hike the Path of the Gods you just need to watch the weather as it can cloud over and become misty but if you use the services of a local guide, they will understand the weather conditions and choose a day that will be suitable.

jamikins

We spent the week of New Years in Tuscany in 2013 and lived it so much we are going back with my parents and brother this year. It was much less busy than high season but certainly wasn't dead. Lots of Romans were up for the holidays.

You can see my pics here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7639164500734/

We also spent the same week in 2011 in Rome and had a great time:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...7637218569466/

A3M

Thank you Blueeyedcod and Jamikins!

As long as there is sunshine... I honstly dont much care about anything else.
Amalfi Coast and Tuscany seem like the place to be, but I'd also like to do the Vatican. Especially on Christmas Day. Do you know of any homes we can stay in as paid guests...

PalenQ

You will not be guaranteed much sunshine at that time of year no matter where you go - often overcast IME in winter but yeh could be really nice too but never cold in central to southern Italy and most of Spain along the southern/eastern coasts.

jamikins

True about sunshine - we hit a warm year and still wore winter jackets and sweaters. We couldn't eat outside in Tuscany although did lunch outside in Rome a couple of times under heat lamps. In Tuscany we only had 1 sunny day. It could snow. Expect winter weather in most of Europe in Dec except maybe the Canary Islands.

MalagaAnna

Andalucia is great in winter,it's mostly sunny and can be warm up to 20 degrees or so. Warm enough to enjoy a drink or lunch at a sunny outdoor terrace anyway. Malaga city is busy all year round and the lights and christmas tree in the main street Calle Larios are stunning:

http://www.spainforpleasure.com/2014...ime-in-malaga/

Malaga benefits from being on the beach to, lovely for a morning walk along the paseo if not warm enough to sunbathe. Not much going on however on 25th December as Spain celebrates on 6th January (three kings day) if you can stay long enough the celebrations on the evening of 5th January in the streets are excellent.

kimhe

I second MalagaAnna's recommendation of... yes, Malaga. 3000 year old Malaga city is genuine Andalucian atmosphere, great historic sights, cafes, terraces, tapas bars, restaurants, museums, theaters and nightlife right in the city center.

And things are happening right now. Picasso's home town has been putting much money in art to attract both "tourists and talent" in later years, and the result is quite impressive. A city that is very much alive but also very much in contact with its past and the surrounding world.

Fresh press about Malaga:
"City of museums: Málaga bets on culture to draw tourists and talent": http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...-culture-spain
"Malaga: Spain's best kept secret": http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...pt-secret.html

And great food, both traditional and more cutting edge. The seafood here is to die for. http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...taurants-tapas

Two decades of weather statistics for Malaga December 18-28 says average highs at 64F, five hours sun pr day and rainfall 3 in 10 days (wetteronline.de)

simon_travellerUK

If you're looking for nature, landscapes, culture... I reccomend you to visit Valencia. The city is wonderful and there's a great area called Terres dels Alforins. It's also known as the Valencian Tuscany and they produce wonderful wines. Local food is amazing and there're some places you'll fall in love. Google Valencian Tuscany, Bocairent (a medieval village) or Xativa (Borgia's Family birthplace) and you'll understand what I say... Good luck!

kimhe

simon_travellerUK

Intigued about your postings about "Valencian Tuscany". Could you elaborate and/or give some links? "Nature, landscapes, culture" and "wonderful wines" you'll find in abundance and in many forms all around Spain.

PalenQ

Yes I found Valencia a wonderful old-worldish city in its central core and the cathedral rather mysterious - Valencia si si si!