Christmas weekend break with teens- Any suggestions?

[user1469393539]

Any advice welcome. Every December myself, friends and kids (4 adults, 4x15, 1x10 girls and boys) go away for 3 days as a group. When they were younger it was Butlins, Center Parcs etc. Last Xmas we went to Copenhagen which was brilliant - very festive, a few markets, day at Tivoli , zoo,, canal boat, Museum of illusions etc. Loved it, so this year looking for something similar - does anyone have any suggestions?
Would highly recommend Copenhagen BTW - Christmas was great but also been in summer and was lovely😍😎

Berlin. If you time the flights well you have a decent amount of time doing the markets and some museums or shops.

Marrakesh for something different?

Went to Budapest this December and loved it. Fab Xmas markets, thermal
pools, boat cruise on Danube - beautiful city to spend a few days. Lots of lovely things to do. Would really recommend

Amsterdam

We went to Oslo for a few nights over NY this last Christmas which we (me, DH, 2 teens) all really enjoyed.

Spent a day skiing at Winter Park ski resort, went to an ice hockey match one evening, lovely restaurants in the city . A day or two pottering around the city is plenty.

It snowed on NYE and NY day. The atmosphere in Oslo on NYE was lovely. Bustling restaurants and centre, fireworks, great atmosphere, no loutish behaviour.

You can get a fast train easily into the city from the airport, transport to outer areas is fantastic, and the city is all walkable.

I thought about Berlin but thought it might be a bit too much? a large city and too busy?

I'll take a look - thanks

Thanks sounds great

Agree with Berlin and Budapest. Berlin is easy to get around which negates the 'big' aspect of things. Haven't been to Budapest in winter but it is lovely.

Eftelings winterling is fun and Xmasy with bonfires and stalls around the park. They replace the water rides with an ice rink in a marquee

Agree with others about budapest

Is it OK for teens and we also wouldn't be driving, coyld we get there without a car?

They have added some really good rides in recent years that older ones would like too. The night water show is incredible.

The fairly tale forest is always good especially if you’ve never been but if you have fun teens that enjoyed tivoli then you should be ok.

The on site accommodation is great and some big properties have a sauna which the teens may enjoy.

I’ve only drove there from Rotterdam but I believe it’s quite straight forward from Amsterdam where you could also visit the xmas markets

We did Reykjavik this winter with the teens. It’s pricey but wonderful. So much to see and do and the city is walkable and pretty quiet.

Bruges, we went a couple of years ago and it was brilliant. Nice market, outdoor ice rink, canal boat rides and such a pretty city

I’m looking at Budapest for the thermal baths - it would be spectacular at Christmas!

Yes it is a big city and you won't be able to do much but we went with 2x 16 year olds and 1x 13 year old and had a great time.

Alternatively: Hamburg, smaller, quirky, you can take a train for a day trip to mediveal Lübeck as well.

I would recommend Riga (Latvia). It is a lovely old city (quite compact) and it might snow! Visit the old KGB headquarters, the House of the Blackheads, the huge central market, etc.

During December they also have a Christmas Market and beautiful Christmas lights along the river!

There is a great variety of restaurants, however, the Lido chain is great value for families, with its buffet style menu. I would also recommend the Crumble Cake, which is a small cafe in the old town which has delicious homemade cakes and mulled wine.

We flew with BA from Heathrow.

Those that recommend Budapest can you suggest anywhere to stay. Thanks

Tromsø for the northern lights, whale watching, dog sledding and reindeer feeding

Bruges