Travelling During Christmas. - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

glitterhairdye · 09-18-2006, 09:38 AM

My last exam is on the 15th and classes resume on the 16th of January. I'm definetly going backpacking for my break, but my dillemma is if I should wait until after Christmas. I think my family wouldn't have a problem with celebrating Christmas early, but how would it be over there on Xmas day? I would go to church wherever I was (thinking Prague, but I dunno). I'm going solo so that affects it as well.
Has anyone here ever gone over for Christmas and how was that?

**SuDz** · 09-18-2006, 10:13 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(glitterhairdye @ Sep 18 2006, 12:38 PM) [snapback]140153[/snapback]</div>

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My last exam is on the 15th and classes resume on the 16th of January. I'm definetly going backpacking for my break, but my dillemma is if I should wait until after Christmas. I think my family wouldn't have a problem with celebrating Christmas early, but how would it be over there on Xmas day? I would go to church wherever I was (thinking Prague, but I dunno). I'm going solo so that affects it as well.
Has anyone here ever gone over for Christmas and how was that?
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Well the christmas stuff might be cool to see in other countries to tell you the truth. Plus, the actual holiday is only the one or two days worth where things might shut down, but that doesn't mean there will be local events going on that you can go check out.

The hostels and what not might actually do some Christmas type stuff too for the visitors.

Not to mention, you will never forget the Christmas you spent aborad.

SuDZ

**omisan** · 09-18-2006, 10:58 AM

Here's a thread that might help ya out!

Christmas Week 2006

**bellelass** · 09-18-2006, 10:36 PM

It's kind of weird to christmas "alone" as an adult for the first time, especially if you like your family and you have certain traditions. But at the same time its a helluva lot of fun when you've made friends with other packers. And its quite cool to be in another country over christmas, you dont usually realize the differences (and similarities..) if your family is ok with it, and you are, then defs. go for it.

**tumblezweedz** · 09-19-2006, 02:47 AM

I've never Christmas'd abroad solo, but have had the chance to celebrate in a couple different countries over the years. It really is pretty cool to see how differently things are done - in Japan, it's a consumer event, nothing religious or historical...but if you can find a Christian church on Christmas Eve or Day, it's interesting to see the way they celebrate; in Lithuania there's a traditional Christmas Eve meal that pre-dates the arrival of Christianity in the country and a Franciscan church that brings in a donkey and several sheep, and puts straw all over the floor to remind people of Christ's humble birth; in Germany the Christmas markets are deservedly famous, and you'll probably recognize most of the hymns, even if you don't know the words.

If Christmas with your family is a happy event with lots of traditions, be sure to arrive early enough to meet people and find someone to spend the day with - many places, restaurants, shops and what not will be closed, so it's good to have a back-up plan for the Christmas Eve-Boxing Day period, at least. But you might be surprised - we were in Naples for Easter this year, and were amazed at how many of the shops opened Easter Sunday morning. Not all, of course, but a fair few.

If you're in Eastern Europe over Christmas, there are usually a lot of concerts/ballets/operas going on over the holiday, so that's a great experience, and usually pretty cheap. Probably the same in western Europe, except not cheap.

**BigE** · 09-19-2006, 03:55 AM

I can't say that I have ever been to Europe during Christmas, but if I were to be over there for Christmas, I would go to Midnight Mass at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, Austria near Salzburg. That is where "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht" was composed and performed for the first time by Fr. Joseph Mohr 180 years ago. The original church was demolished because of damage caused by flooding, yet I am sure you can experience a Alps Christmas tradition in Oberndorf, which is also a popular ski vacation destination.

PLUSCREW · 10-17-2006, 08:27 AM

i think the austrians do xmas best of all the european countries, xmas markets, gluwein, sleigh rides, loads of hearty pork and kartofflen, hubcap size weiner schnitzles and loads of bonhomie for residents and visitors.
the italians are all very religious about it, everything closes as everyone goes home to their families so theres not much chance to mix it with locals although you my find little local bars have sing songs and performances in main town squares in the lead up to xmas, keep an eye out for xmas markets in some of the bigger places.
being somewhere covered in snow helped to get over not being at home with family, it did for me as ususally xmas is in the sun and on the beach (in NZ). it probably works the other way for those that get snow at xmas time, go somewhere warm.

**ted** · 10-22-2006, 03:50 PM

All I can say is if you’re going during Christmas make your reservations for the hostile now. I already have mine for 3 days in Cesky Krumlov for Christmas and 3 days in Berlin for new years. I was told that its tuff to find a place on Christmas eve and day, the same for New Years but the rest of the time its not a problem.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ted @ Oct 22 2006, 02:47 PM) [snapback]143066[/snapback]</div>

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All I can say is if you’re going during Christmas make your reservations for the hostile now. I already have mine for 3 days in Cesky Krumlov for Christmas and 3 days in Berlin for new years. I was told that its tuff to find a place on Christmas eve and day, the same for New Years but the rest of the time its not a problem.
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thats hostel not hostile.

jaboba46 · 10-22-2006, 04:27 PM

see if your family wants to do christmas later even. i mean come on you can get everyone stuff from whereever you go. i did that for birthdays this year. but remember to ask for cash gifts before you leave....

**DC_Jessica** · 10-22-2006, 05:26 PM

The Germany/Austria region definitely does Christmas like they invented the idea. Ohh the Gluehwein! Munich basically freaks out, but, as always, I liked Berlin's style as well. Austria and Munich (along with S. Germany) tend to be pretty much on the same wavelength.

PS Reindeer at Christmas is a totally American thing - it amused all my European friends/family, so stock up on some cheesy reindeer Christmas postcards to exchange, maybe make friends at local places.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ted @ Oct 22 2006, 06:50 PM) [snapback]143066[/snapback]</div>

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thats hostel not hostile.

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Wait til you see the place before you make that assumption! (wa-wah)

**ted** · 10-22-2006, 05:41 PM

well thats not good

glitterhairdye · 10-22-2006, 07:03 PM

awwa ted, you're going to be like the exact opposite of me. I'm going to be in Berlin for Xmas and Czech Republic (Prague) for New Years. Where are you going in between?

**ted** · 10-22-2006, 08:12 PM

Dec. 17th Berlin arrive at 8:15 a.m.
Dec. 18th Prague
Dec. 23rd Cesky Krumlov for Christmas
Dec. 30th Berlin for New Year
Jan. 11th Berlin departing
This is all that’s set in stone so far, I know I’m staying pretty much in central Europe. I’m meeting my friend over in Prague and then it’s what ever maybe Budapest if there is time, possibly Amsterdam after new years. I’m gonna have to stay in that area (Germany) because my flight back is out of Berlin, I guess I should have gone picked another place for new years but I heard that Berlin is the shit for big parties and it doesn’t get much bigger than new years eve.