Scandinavia or North Africa for Christmas?
October 3, 2014 12:04 PM Subscribe
A girlfriend and I are planning on going to Europe over Christmas. Based on places we haven't been, we're debating spending ten days in either, a) Scandinavia (Norway/ Sweden/ Finland/ Denmark), or, b) flying to Paris and then to Morocco. Which option is best? More info below...
1) I understand that Christmas in the Scandinavian countries is delightful, and would love to experience it. However, my friend is concerned that the cold temperatures will take some of the joy out of this experience (she's worried there would be stormy, blizzard-like conditions). Is this likely? We know we have to pack heavy winter clothing (boots, thermals, etc).
2) Is Morocco worth seeing over the winter? Conceivably the desert would get pretty cold as well, and we were planning on spending Christmas in Casablanca or Paris. Is it safe during this time of year for two women traveling by themselves?
3) Is there any absolutely essential information we'd need to consider? I've just started researching these options, so any first-hand experience would be greatly appreciated.
1) I understand that Christmas in the Scandinavian countries is delightful, and would love to experience it. However, my friend is concerned that the cold temperatures will take some of the joy out of this experience (she's worried there would be stormy, blizzard-like conditions). Is this likely? We know we have to pack heavy winter clothing (boots, thermals, etc).
2) Is Morocco worth seeing over the winter? Conceivably the desert would get pretty cold as well, and we were planning on spending Christmas in Casablanca or Paris. Is it safe during this time of year for two women traveling by themselves?
3) Is there any absolutely essential information we'd need to consider? I've just started researching these options, so any first-hand experience would be greatly appreciated.
I've been in Morocco in January. It was chilly but not cold - 50s-60s the whole time I was there. Think Southern California, not Arizona. Casablanca is not a particularly great destination - it's mainly a large business center and traffic is a nightmare. You'd probably want to get out to one of the more scenic cities, like Fes, Marrakech, Essaouira, etc.
I've never been to Scandinavia, but I'd be more concerned with the utter lack of sunlight that time of year than the weather itself. On the other hand, I'd want to go just for a glimpse of the aurora borealis, but that might not be something you care about.
posted by theodolite at 12:34 PM on October 3, 2014
I've never been to Scandinavia, but I'd be more concerned with the utter lack of sunlight that time of year than the weather itself. On the other hand, I'd want to go just for a glimpse of the aurora borealis, but that might not be something you care about.
posted by theodolite at 12:34 PM on October 3, 2014
Scandinavia Definately!
Scandinavia at Christmas is magical, but Morrocco in the grey and cold is just a little bit depressing, save it for the spring!
posted by Middlemarch at 1:10 PM on October 3, 2014
Scandinavia at Christmas is magical, but Morrocco in the grey and cold is just a little bit depressing, save it for the spring!
posted by Middlemarch at 1:10 PM on October 3, 2014
Best answer: I was in Denmark for Christmas one year. It was magical. Seriously it was everything Disney & Hallmark movies try to be, the decorations in the towns are amazing, the scenery is breathtaking. The countryside is so pretty. I liked that it got dark sooner as all the fairy lights came on and places looked like storybook Christmas. Add to that the food, lovely new traditions to learn and it was the perfect Christmas. I'll say at the time I lived in Australia & it was my first White Christmas which might bias things but even compared to the ones I've had in the Northern US since it just seemed less in your face & just classier. As I said I was from Australia at the time, I had no problem with the cold. Everywhere is built with the cold in mind as to be honest I never actually ever really noticed it. I have been a lot colder in the Midwest in January/Feb than I ever was there.
If you are not as much of a Christmas junkie as I am though you might prefer something less traditional like Morocco, but I have no experience with there in particular I have had many years of Christmas in summer weather & they can be fun too.
Denmark however made me feel like a kid at Christmas and melted my cold scroogy heart & made me love Christmases all over again & turned me into the crazed fairylight decorating, present wrappin' fool I am today so yeah I'm completely biased. .
posted by wwax at 1:12 PM on October 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you are not as much of a Christmas junkie as I am though you might prefer something less traditional like Morocco, but I have no experience with there in particular I have had many years of Christmas in summer weather & they can be fun too.
Denmark however made me feel like a kid at Christmas and melted my cold scroogy heart & made me love Christmases all over again & turned me into the crazed fairylight decorating, present wrappin' fool I am today so yeah I'm completely biased. .
posted by wwax at 1:12 PM on October 3, 2014 [1 favorite]
I have spent a Christmas in Sweden and it is lovely, though for maximum Christmasness you'd want some natives (or at least locals) to spend it with. I'm sure there are hotels and various places that will put on a big Julbord, though, so you won't miss the giant groaning amazing meal. And it is really amazing, dark mid-afternoon and all the electric candles in the windows.
While a big storm is certainly possible, in most of Scandinavia it snows similar to rain in Seattle - frequently*, sometimes at length, but rarely aggressively. Sidewalks and roadways are extremely well-maintained. I wouldn't drive in it, as someone who's not experienced, but if you plan to stick to a city there will be (possibly reduced-schedule) public transportation available.
*Or not. Some years are freaky and dry.
I'm a Gothenburg girl, but I wouldn't say no to Stockholm at Christmas either. It will certainly be far more festive than Morocco.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:48 PM on October 3, 2014
While a big storm is certainly possible, in most of Scandinavia it snows similar to rain in Seattle - frequently*, sometimes at length, but rarely aggressively. Sidewalks and roadways are extremely well-maintained. I wouldn't drive in it, as someone who's not experienced, but if you plan to stick to a city there will be (possibly reduced-schedule) public transportation available.
*Or not. Some years are freaky and dry.
I'm a Gothenburg girl, but I wouldn't say no to Stockholm at Christmas either. It will certainly be far more festive than Morocco.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:48 PM on October 3, 2014
The further North you go, the shorter the days will be. That makes it colder and may limit going to see things outdoors, though it may increase chances o f seeing Northern Lights.
posted by theora55 at 2:40 PM on October 3, 2014
posted by theora55 at 2:40 PM on October 3, 2014
Scandinavia is cozy and charming in the winter, but also dark and potentially very rainy (it certainly was the winter I was there, when I counted three months without seeing the sun, ever...and climate change makes the chance of snow unlikely unless you're really far north). But I would always recommend Copenhagen. Another option, though the weather won't be any better, is Berlin, which goes all out for Christmas.
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:58 PM on October 3, 2014
posted by three_red_balloons at 4:58 PM on October 3, 2014
I spent some time one December in Morocco and it was great. It was nice to be warm! And also we rode camels, and it's wild to be riding camels in December. Plus, Morocco is so diverse geographically that I think you should go at any time of the year. There are even parts up in the mountains that look like idyllic Swiss chateaus, if you really want the Christmas feel.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:11 PM on October 3, 2014
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:11 PM on October 3, 2014
Morocco in December? Marrakesh for the sun; nearby, the High Atlas Mountains for snow-skiing.
posted by Mister Bijou at 7:37 AM on October 4, 2014
posted by Mister Bijou at 7:37 AM on October 4, 2014
Both options sound great, except, not Casablanca. Not at all a place I'd ever go as a single woman. Even Fes might not be comfortable.
In Scandinavia, Christmas is a little early for snow in Denmark, but there will be plenty in the other countries, and as stated above, everywhere is pretty and cosy, including Copenhagen
posted by mumimor at 8:33 AM on October 4, 2014
In Scandinavia, Christmas is a little early for snow in Denmark, but there will be plenty in the other countries, and as stated above, everywhere is pretty and cosy, including Copenhagen
posted by mumimor at 8:33 AM on October 4, 2014
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posted by Slap Factory at 12:31 PM on October 3, 2014