Winter Trip

[jas]

Hi
My husband and I are planning a trip this winter, leaving around the 27th Dec for about 3 weeks. The places we have mentioned so far are Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Venice, Florence, Rome and Paris. We have already been to the last 4 but would love to see them in winter and not have to rush around to see all the tourist attractions. I would love some help with the following-
Are there any other cities/countries that are definitely worth going to in winter? (we are not skiers)
Where would be a good place to be for New Years Eve? (like a Times Square type atmosphere)
I would appreciate any help or advice
Thanks
jas

[herrbert]

I think a Times Square like event, you will only see at Times Square. In Vienna you will find a lot of open-air parties going on, and if you like classical music, you could give it an attempt to try to get tickets for the new year's concert. (although that will be hard)

I am not sure how long the Christmas markets would last after Christmas. I guess some will continue until the 6th of january. Strassbourg might be a nice stop in between Paris and Munich.

[madamtrashheap]

Another city you might consider is Prague, but I wouldn't add too many more in after that as 3 weeks will be well allocated across the cities you've already selected.

herrbert's suggestion of Vienna for NYE is a good one - great outdoor celebrations, especially around St Stephansplatz (centre of city) and the Rathaus (Town Hall).

Paris seems to wax and wane with NYE celebrations each year. Some years there are masses of fireworks, other years not much at all. If you do end up in Paris for NYE, then the Eiffel Tower area is the place to be for the crowds and the atmosphere. Of the other cities you've mentioned, they certainly have celebrations (Venice also has fireworks on the lagoon at midnight, and sometimes a concert in St Marks Square, although not every year) but they don't tend to be as spectacular as in other cities. Perhaps check the website www.whatsonwhen.com to see if this year's NYE plans are already up.

As for Christmas markets, AFAIK there are very few of the bigger markets which go past 24th December (ones in Italy sometimes run until 6 Jan/Epiphany), which is a shame for your timetable, but a good excuse to go back prior to Christmas.