I've been to Helsinki in January.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hungary is central Europe.

So are Germany and Poland, but in the US most people divide Europe in two. Left over from Cold War thinking?

Anyway, OP both sound awesome. I've been to Budapest, and it's great. The only hesitation I might have about Scandinavia in January would be the darkness. I'd be ok with it but it isn't for everyone. Colleagues on a project there talked about hating all the dark days.

Hungary made the safe travel list for Brits:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/737290/Spain-terror-arrests-four-detained-smuggling-jihadis-Europe-disguised-migrants

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hungary is central Europe.

So are Germany and Poland, but in the US most people divide Europe in two. Left over from Cold War thinking?

Anyway, OP both sound awesome. I've been to Budapest, and it's great. The only hesitation I might have about Scandinavia in January would be the darkness. I'd be ok with it but it isn't for everyone. Colleagues on a project there talked about hating all the dark days.

PS I went to Hungary and Poland in winter and it was lovely.

Anonymous wrote:Hungary is central Europe.

So are Germany and Poland, but in the US most people divide Europe in two. Left over from Cold War thinking?

Anyway, OP both sound awesome. I've been to Budapest, and it's great. The only hesitation I might have about Scandinavia in January would be the darkness. I'd be ok with it but it isn't for everyone. Colleagues on a project there talked about hating all the dark days.

Budapest is lovely and also safe. We have visited 4 times, usually in early spring or summer. In my opinion it will be too cold and dark to visit Scandinavia or Northern Europe in January. There are good deals though and I'll admit I looked at them too! I would aim further south though - Vienna, Budapest, Munich, Prague (it won't be overrun by tourists in late January!!), maybe even Kraków if you dress warm. Lots to do and great atmosphere but you will get more daylight hours the further south you can manage.

OP, I agree --I would not go to Scandinavia in the winter. In fact, the most miserable cold trip I ever took was to Berlin in February. So, dress warm. (I think it was an especially cold winter.)

And, to the pp who said not to go to any formerly communist country, I might add that half of Germany was under communist rule until late "80's.

My choice of your suggestions would be Budapest--but, I've never been there.