<p>we went last year at christmas to munich and switzerland-to visit D. it was magical! i know you were looking for warm weather but it was surprisingly pleasant. short days were ok- eating out each night late in beer halls or restaurants was fun.</p>
<p>Our family has taken several winter (Dec-Feb period) vacations while on sabbaticals in Europe. We don’t ski so were looking for warmer locations.</p>
<p>We vacationed in: Andalucia (flying in/out of Malaga), the Canary Islands, and Sicily. All great, but I’d agree that if you want the European feeling (other than Brit and German tourists), then skip the Canaries.</p>
<p>Agree with Glad GradDad to go to the place you most want to see and don’t worry about the temp. We went to Spain-Madrid, Malaga, wherever the Alhambra is-- and had a fabulous time. I remember we wore winter jackets but couldn’t tell you the temperature but I can remember the sun setting over the Alhambra and the gardens there were so nice, the museum in Madrid splendid etc It’s also interesting to travel over the holidays and see what others do. There was a huge life size manger scene in one little town that was amazing and nothing like I have ever seen in the US.</p>
<p>We love Italy in December. However be aware that with shorter daylight hours (it gets dark by late afternoon) you will need to plan your day accordingly.
It can be cold, wet, rainy. Take layers.</p>
<p>Can’t resist saying re early sundown that Paris is “the city of lights.” More hours to see the Eifel tower all lit up.</p>
<p>^^ And not so hot walking from the Louvre to the Eiffel tower.</p>
<p>Last Winter we went to Valencia (family) for the last 2 weeks of December and the first week of January. 70 degrees was common during the day, but normally 60s is what one might expect.</p>
<p>We have gone to Sevilla, in Andaluc</p>
<p>Skiing in Europe is a bargain-- especially in Austria. Lift tickets & apt rentals are about half of what you’ll find in N America. Plus, what could be better on the piste than knocking down some schnapps and singing along to the yodel-ly disco version of “Country road. Take me home…” 
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<p>Fly into Munich. Top resorts in the Tirol region of Austria are within easy driving distance. Munich is a destination in itself! Germany is under-rated.</p>
<p>Re the Canary Islands. Getting there is rather inconvenient from the U.S., as u will have to fly to Europe first, then back-track west. Been there a number of times; Tenerife is disappointingly over-developed now.</p>
<p>I’ve been to Paris perhaps 4 or 5 times over the decades, and one of my best memories of the place was walking along the Seine bundled up on a cold December night, sipping delicious French hot chocolate that I bought at a little kiosk, and looking at the city all done out in Christmas lights.</p>
<p>I have great memories of Paris at the end of the year. One time, completely by accident, we walked up behind the giant TV production from the Eiffel Tower and ended up literally next to the back of the stage. How that happened was unclear but it was as close to magical as possible. And New Years is a trip. A great memory is firefighters in full uniform along with all their engines lined up along the Champs-Elyse</p>
<p>Germany has wonderful Christmas markets in December. Have gluhwein and dampfnudel with vanilla sauce!</p>
<p>My brother’s family went to Venice in December one year, and loved it despite the cold weather.</p>
<p>Emily, we are researching the same question and have found Spain (Barcelona and Malaga/Marbella) to be the best bets for warmer weather. We are adding a side trip to Rome but have read that it is the rainy season around the holidays.</p>
<p>Emily, have you made a decision yet? Are there other recommendations out there for winter travel in Europe?</p>