This year is my first Christmas abroad.
When we decided to come spend (at least) a year in Prague, we knew that we definitely wouldn’t be able to go back to the United States for Christmas. I admit I wasn’t too sad about this fact at the time–I mean, Christmas in Europe? How could I really be sad about that?
As Christmas gets closer, though, I realize that it is my first real one away from familiar family and traditions. I haven’t spent the last few Christmases at home (a.k.a. Montana) anyway–the last two were spent in the Seattle area with E’s family–so I didn’t think it would bother me.
Once Thanksgiving came around, it really hit me how hard I might actually find it to be in a foreign country for this festive season. I won’t get to see my family, or do any of my usual traditions.
What does one do when they’re feeling blue about spending Christmas away from family?
Why, book a trip of course!
Now that I’m seeing Prague at Christmastime I’m a little sad about missing it here–but our trip (that is finally mostly planned) will be incredible.
Our itinerary is….
(photo credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 )
I am so happy to finally be sharing this with you–it took us forever to decide where we wanted to spend Christmas. We were originally thinking just Germany because, well, German Christmas markets, but I read that the country kind of closes down on the 24th and it can be difficult for travelers. We found a really cheap plane ticket between Prague and Belgium (thank you, Ryan Air!) and then another cheap one home from Paris. Since I have always dreamed of spending New Year’s Eve in Paris (cliché, I know) it seemed like a no-brainer. We will be spending a week there since we’ve never been and we want to take it at a more relaxed pace.
We chose Bruges for actual Christmas because it’s one of our favorite little cities and it will be fun to see it all decked out for Christmas, and it will also feel a little familiar, almost like home.
It’s proved to be quite a challenge logistically–and we still have a day/night in between Bruges and Paris that we need to fill! I’m thinking Ghent or Luxembourg. Ghent looks absolutely charming and is close to Bruges–but I’m not sure how many other chances we will have to visit Luxembourg.
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So, dear readers, I need your help!
Have you been to any of these places? Do you have any tips or must-sees for me? And, what would you do with an extra day between Bruges and Paris? Any and all suggestions very welcome!
Linking up with Emma & friends for The Festive Season and Adelina & friends for the #SundayTraveler.