Where would be the most Christmassy place abroad to spend Christmas?

[TheHouseofMirth]

MIL wants to take us all away for Christmas next year. I have been left to research/organise it but unfortunately, in her head she has created some kind of Christmas Utopia incorporating the best bits of Lapland, Austria and Switzerland and I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint her.

I'm guessing apart from the Santa experience there probably isn't much in Lapland (and I don't think she'll like the food, which is whole other headache) but I don't think they really go in for Father Christmas in Austria. I'm also concerned that many other European countries celebrate Christmas on days other than 25th.

Has anyone got any wisdom they can share with me please?

Norf Pole

Switzerland at Xmas is very lovely

I once spent Christmas in Gstaad.

There were Father Christmas's dressed in brown. Yes, brown. Not right at all.

I imagine Colorado do Christmas well, but have never been.

do? does

Surely Saltzburg must be idyllic?

We went to Prague just before Christmas and it was perfect. But I suspect they probably do the main celebration on the 24th. I also don't know how late into December the Christmas markets last.

We had Xmas in Prague one year too. They celebrate Xmas eve more than they day itself. Infact, most of the shops were open on Xmas day, so we had macdonalds for lunch - it was fab!

You need to think about what you will actually do on the day, as it will be very long if you are stuck in a hotel room, and all the shops/tourist attractions are closed.

I went to Prague just before Christmas. It was very cold, coldler than any ski resort I've ever been to although the thermometer said 2'C and there was no snow.

Bethlehem? There's a very cosy stable, so I'm told.

Geordieminx, we also went into McDonalds in Prague....in fact many of them.

Does she want a UK Christmas - turkey & trimmings, Red Santa, 25th Dec etc - but with snow (but not too cold)? It's easier to organise if you know what she counts as Christmas.

So Scotland, US/Canada...
What about doing a Christmas market in Europe in December?

Lynette, there was no snow when we were there either!! There was in the UK but none over there!

OP if you haven't got your heart set on going abroad I would look at a uk hotel, you can get some great hotels with total Xmas experience

Trouble is anywhere like Finland's going to be dark pretty much all day isn't it?

531800000008 have you spent Christmas in Switzerland?

As long as you're happy to have a very quiet Christmas Day you'll be fine, most of continental Europe celebrate Christmas on the evening of 24th Dec. That aside I'd opt for Austria, fantastic.

Well she keeps going on about snow, sleigh rides etc but is also keen we do it next year whilst DSs are still young enough to believe in FC. Porkchop's right I need to have a chat with her again. I have tried but she is being very vague (as usual). Needs to Europe as DH hates flying.

I think we just want somewhere picture-perfect with guaranteed snow, some shops for her to browse in and actually perhaps going somewhere where they celebrate on 24th might not be so bad if it also means shops and restaurants will be open on Christmas Day if we need them.

I'm just worried that if I get it wrong it will be the most miserable Christmas instead of the best and I think as she's getting on she's really anxious to give us a Christmas to remember (so no pressure on me at all...)

Vienna, Innsbruck or Salzburg?

Any of those I think orienteerer. I think snow's not guaranteed in Vienna or Salzbug. Not sure about Innsbruck. Also wondering about spending a few days before Christmas and Christmas iteself in a city then a few days in a winter sports resort.

Sorry for multiple typos. I have a 2.8 yo old who doesn't sleep through the night and a 6 yo who has melted the remainder of my brain by talking at me since 5.30am.

Talinn is absolutely beautiful! The old town is medieval and stunning. The restaurants etc are very reasonable indeed. Flights are cheap and snow is pretty much guaranteed.

Here are some links "Best winter city"

The Guardian sayys "Snowy cities don't come more magical than Tallinn in Estonia, where winding cobbled streets are full of fur-clad shoppers and cosy cafes, and churches that look like they've been plucked from a Christmas cake" article here

You could go to this if it's your sort of thing Estonian National Opera Christmas Concert

The Christmas Market is one of the best there is and runs till January. (some nice pics in the gallery on that link too).

You're probably wondering if I'm working for the Estonian national tourist board by now! I'm not, my Grandfather was Estonian and I have family there still. So yes, I'm perhaps a little biased, but it is truly stunning, honest!

If you do go, make sure you stay in or near the Old Town if you can (a lot of the rest of the capital is austere soviet 120th century buildings. A totally different experience!)

Or, Edinburgh!

We did Salzburg just before Christmas and it was absolutely gorgeous. I've never been anywhere more Christmassy than that.

Tallin looks really beautiful but I think I'm moving towards Salzburg. Just trying to work out if we should stay there the whole time, split our trip or stay in a snowy village and have a couple of day trips into Salzburg.

Salzburg (not been to the other places) but have been to Salzburg. Beautiful, magical- amazing.

Something like this?