Where to go between Christmas and New Year's

[SimoneSpeaksSoftly]

Trying to decide where to go the week between Christmas and New Year's holidays with two DCs (6 and 8). I know it can be a tricky time to visit some cities (attractions closed, Christmas markets finished) so I want to be sure we pick somewhere with a decent mix of indoor and outdoor attractions available. Any opinions on the following during that week? Potential daytrip ideas would be welcome too.

• Rome- DH and I have been, DCs have not. Not sure if the Jubilee celebrations will make the crowds too intense?
• Copenhagen- has been on our list to take the kids, my only hesitation is whether it is better to visit during warmer months?
• Vienna- Christmas markets might still be open?
• Lisbon
• Barcelona
• Prague
• Others?

Rome - go when your dc are a bit older as they’ll get more out of it. I’ve never been in the winter but it doesn’t strike me as a city which would especially festive.
Copenhagen - Tivoli is magical at Christmas, but very very busy. It’s freezing cold and has even shorter hours of daylight than the Uk at that time of year.

Amsterdam would be my choice. One of our highlights when we went in winter was a pancake boat canal cruise after it got dark, past all the light installations of the light festival https://amsterdamlightfestival.com/en We also did a day trip to Efteling which is gorgeous at that time of year https://www.hoponhopoffholland.com/bus-tours/daytrips-from-amsterdam/efteling/

Thanks! My gut tells me to go to Copenhagen at a warmer time so I think we will wait. Will probably hold off on Rome too. Amsterdam is a great suggestion but we already have plans to meet family there next year.

All the Christmas market threads are making me rethink whether we should travel in the days leading up to Christmas and visit some markets instead. We wouldn't have quite as much time to play with (likely Dec. 20-24) and then I would need to figure out how to keep the DCs occupied the rest of the school break.🙃But it's tempting!

Honestly, I'd be tempted just to book into Center Parcs for their Twixtmas break, especially with children that age.

Most of Berlin’s Christmas markets will be open until the end of December and they’re perhaps some of the most child-friendly that we’ve visited. There’s a massive toboggan run in Potsdamer Platz, carousels, a fun fair, ice skating, a 2km light trail in Tierpark etc…. The zoo and aquarium will be open too, and they’re also in Tierpark.

I prefer Christmas markets before Christmas which is what we did last year. We usually choose somewhere brighter for in between Christmas and new year - this year we’re headed to Seville

Oh Seville is a good thought, I will have to look into that. The winter darkness is intense and I know some sunshine would do us all good.

Sorry- bumping this up as I think we are zeroing in on Spain, but can't decide between Barcelona or southern Spain- if the latter we would likely have to fly to Malaga at least in one direction but seems easy enough to take the train to Seville from there.

Is one or the other better in terms of kid-friendliness and potential daytrips? I know that from Barcelona we could visit Montseratt and from Seville, go to Cordoba. Any other suggestions? We would have 5 nights. Thanks again!