Garmisch in Germany is quaint and well-located for visiting Munich and Salzburg for Christmas markets (also has its own small market). It's at the base of the zugspitze for skiing.

Austia. It has amazing sightseeing and culture in Vienna and/or Salzburg, and great skiing near Innsbruck (or anywhere in the Alps really). The best of both worlds and the Austrians really know how to do Christmas.

Sweden is wonderful but vety dark in winter. It can be depressing and very isolating. Plus tge weather cam be criminal too.

England so festive

I was in Grindelwald one Christmas many, many years ago. It is beautiful and you do have skiing--in fact, the emphasis there is on skiing. There is not a lot else to do in the winter. I do recall going to a hockey game and taking the train one day to Bern. (This was many years ago.) Interlachen is nearby, but, as I recall, it was pretty much closed in the winter. It is more of a summer resort.

I would recommend going to those places with the Christmas markets in Bavaria, etc. I haven't been to Salzburg at Christmas, but I imagine it would be quite wonderful. I would strongly recommend that. There is a lot to do there that would intrigue the kids. It would give you the traditional Christmas flavor. There is nothing like the Bavarian Christmas markets with the smell of grilling bratwurst in the cold weather.

Another year, I was in Rome. That is also a good choice. The weather is likely to be more comfortable.

You do need to realize that, wherever you go, some places will be closed. I imagine you can research that online. As I said, it has been a long time since I was there, and that, too, might have changed.

As for Sweden or Norway, you need to realize that in December the days will be very, very short. I would save those countries for summer when they are lovely.

Austria

Another one for Germany. But I prefer the northern cities of Hamburg and Berlin to the southern ones.

Anonymous wrote:Dolomites (Champoluc)
Switzerland (Grindelwald)

I was going to suggest Grindelwald and surrounding areas. DH and I went to Switzerland for part of our honeymoon. Flew into Zurich, spent a night or two in Lucerne, then took the train to Grindelwald. Beautiful. It was summer, so we did some hiking in the Alps, but we think it would be amazing to go back at Christmas time.

Trentino in Italy

Anonymous wrote:Germany or Austria.

+1. Went to Vienna last December and it was absolutely beautiful. Our 6 year old loved it.

Dolomites (Champoluc)
Switzerland (Grindelwald)

Germany.

Salzburg could be great for kids. If you have boys castle with museum. Lots of armor. Also great music. Walkable. Lots of events around the holidays. Fireworks for the new year. Driving distance to skiing.

Germany or Austria.

We have decided on Europe with our family at Christmas. Two kids 9 and 11. We do ski but it is not a priority to ski. Some ideas were were thinking about are Sweden and Norway or maybe Greece.

Other ideas..

Thank you