Europe over the winter holidays

Hi everyone,

 

My situation: currently living in France (near Germany/Luxembourg). Can't fly

home (Canada) for Christmas (too expensive) so I'm staying here. However,

staying at home in a tiny apartment for two weeks seems a big waste of

photographic opportunities. I'm looking to do a small trip (within France or to

any of the surrounding areas -- Germany, Benelux, Czech Republic, Italy, etc)

and was wondering what people would recommend. The two key elements here are

cost and photogenic places at THIS particular time. I'm not worried about the

cold or snow either. However, that doesn't mean I can afford to stay in ski

lodges over one of the busiest holiday periods (and they're probably all booked

anyway). I'd appreciate any recommendations that people have -- it seems to me

that most posts here on photo.net deal with locations during high and shoulder

seasons, but very few deal with this particular season (I guess most people stay

home for the holidays?).

 

Thanks.

Rachelle,

Have you thought about Amsterdam? The canals, boats, buildings, markets, lighted bridges etc are great at this time of year. And it's a super fun town. Many of the other cities in the Netherlands are very worthwhile too.

Also consider Belgium [Antwerpen or Brugge for example]. These cities are not excessively expensive [by European standards] and public transportation is obviously very good.

As you well know, the days will be short and the light can be challenging, longish exposures will be needed and a tripod essential.

If you want longer days and brighter light you'll have to travel south....

There are just so many possibilities. Have fun!

Roger.

Not that I've been, but I would head for the east Adriatic coast - Croatia etc. Montenegro is supposed to be fantastic, and I believe it would fit your budget.

You could also travel south to Spain. Here during the holidays, they hang these huge light sculptures in the streets till half way through January and it's not quite as cold. Plus Spain is fairly inexpensive.

<a href=" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/109/308190971_84fca30957.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="night_madrid013" /></a>

 

And here in Madrid there are tons of interesting people in the streets at all hours. In certain downtown areas you'll see tranny's looking for johns and a grandma walking by while a rich couple shops in the store next door. It's quite the mix. Also, if you go further south to places like Cadiz and tarifa there are interesting beaches and sand dunes (guaranteed not high season and cheap).

 

Portugal is also pretty amazing for photographs as there are trollies everywhere in bright yellow. And portugal during winter isn't in high season either. The only place in high season during winter here is Granada with the mountain resorts. But then again, Granada at high season is priced like low season everywhere else.

Have you done the city of Luxembourg? I was there for a day once and found it photogenic. If you have a car, a few days driving along the Moselle through Traben-Tarbach to Coblenz and then up through Bonn and Cologne is scenic. Maybe you've done that already. Bruges?

"Here during the holidays, they hang these huge light sculptures in the streets"

 

FYI: they do that in just about every city in the western half of Europe, Caleb.

But you're right: NOW is the time to capture that, because it might be the last time you

can! In Europe the public debate about energy - wasting energy, in this case - is gathering

steam. 'Festive street light sculptures' are, obviously, a high-profile subject in that debate.

I expect 'festive street light sculptures' to become socially unacceptable and disappear/be

banned very soon!

Prague. Very photogenic. Not nearly as cheap as it was a few years ago, but it might still be okay for you.

Some good suggestions above. Also, online, look at virginvacations.com (not the airline site), and maybe other discount travel agencies. Virginvacations.com will list all sorts of tours and getaways in Europe, and when you look into a particular offering, you will see the range of hotels and prices they offer. Last year, we stayed at a very decent, very inexpensive hotel near Termini in Rome for three days.

I've heard the former East Bloc nations (Slovenia, Croatia, etc) are very reasonable and they sure seem photogenic.

Have fun.

If you haven't already been, Bruges, Amsterdam, and maybe the towns north of Amsterdam such as Edam , Hoorn(great open air museum nearby), there's a decent easily drivable trip around there for some excellent tow/village/city stuff. Out in the country there's plenty of windmills at Kinderdyk near Dordrecht and northwest of Purmerend.

Its probably about a ten day trip to do all this well but if I had one priority I'd make it Bruges which is good for up to three days on a first visit.

If you want warmer weather and are prepared to fly, head south. Suggest Athens, Rome, Barcelona, Sicily, Malta, Istanbul, Egypt. The price of flights might limit how far you can go, but if you're going for 2 weeks, the effect of cheaper places further away may have a positive effect. If you go north, days get shorter (bad for photos). If you go east, it gets colder.

 

Otherwise, consider Paris Brussels etc.

I can recommend Ljubljana as a base and from there there are a number of day trips in all directions. For example, Bled is very photogenic and in December the mountains that prop as a backdrop will (should) be clear. LJ has the hottest Hostel in the world (Hostel Celica) and I am happy to challenge anyone to this. Ok, I am a bit biased, as I live here in Slovenia but this hostel which used to be a prison is really amazing.

 

I live in Bohinj and it is also very photogenic, although this time of the year I am mostly up in the mountains as I am having this attack of sunrise shots.

 

There are some recent photos in my November portfolio which gives you some glimpses of the light here this time of the year.

Hello Rachelle,

 

you got many suggestions for cities - I might add one for the country. I love the north sea coast in winter. In Germany and the Netherlands a visit to the islands like Spiekeroog, Juist, Texel, Schiermoonigook (I'm sure I spelled this wrong), Ameland is really worth. Some of them have no cars on them (Spiekeroog and Juist). In France, Normandie is probably worth going.

 

Stefan

Visit Prague and Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic. Photography aside, they are amazing places, and easier on your wallet than Western Europe.

 

In terms of photography, the old town area is full of opportunities, beautifully preserved buildings, snow covered bridges, days when the river gets icy, the castle lighting up in the evening, strange characters wrapped up in eastern woolies, live carp sold on the street for christmas day.

 

That said, I also spent a christmas in Slovenia once and loved it just as much. Celebrations on the square in Ljubljana, snowy lakes in Bled, and sun on the coast by Piran. A lot of variety for such a small country.

And by the way, I second Andy's comment about the hostel in Ljubljana. Probably my favourite hostel in Europe, and they baked fresh cakes for the guests on New Year's day.

Thanks everyone,

 

Slovenia wasn't even on my radar but after all the recommendations I had to check it out. Now it's at the top of the list -- I just have to find a cheap way of getting there. Seems like a fun place over Christmas and New Years, and very photogenic. I did have Amsterdam or Bruges in mind, but I'm wondering if I should save them for the spring or summer -- although it would be cool (IF the weather's cold enough) to see the canals frozen over in Amsterdam (and go skating). But that's a hit or miss proposition I think. I wouldn't mind going somewhere warm but I like the idea of getting good winter shots of Europe (rather, a very microscopic section of Europe). The cold and the shorter hours are not a big issue since my preference is to shoot at dusk anyway; although the last time I shot in the cold was in Canada -- it was -40 below and I could hear my shutter (at 1/250) go click................click.

 

It's so hard to choose...I may end up just picking a city/country name out of a hat and go with that. :-)

 

Anyway, thanks everyone -- you've given me a lot to think about and a few issues have become clearer in my mind about what I'm looking for personally and photogenically over the holidays.

Try Bratislava, Slovakia. I lived/worked there for eight months in '98.

 

1. It's not tied to the Euro, which has been kicking the USD the past few years. It has a pretty city center. My apt. was a few blocks from the US Embassy.

 

2. Bratislava is on no one's travel destination. Therefore, cheap.

 

3. You have, within a few hours drive/bus: Vienna (and west to Salzburg), Krakow (Auschwitz, which everyone should visit once in their lifetime. We went in Winter), Budapest, Prague, and all the little villages in between (we had a car). None have yet adopted the Euro.

I am an Italianophile so my recommendation is obvious. If Italy interests you drop me a line or have a look at my Italian portfolios. Otherwise Slovenia is a great place to visit. The capital Ljubljana is a gem of a baroque city and there many beautiful landscapes around.