"We're doing Italy & Germany for Christmas 2006. I can't wait.!! I've been wanting to go for years, but that's just such a big big trip. We need at least 2 weeks."

If you have time and really want to get away for a few days check out Sicily. I was there four years ago about this time of year, and aside from a few tourists in Taormina my wife and I didn't run into anyone from a tour group. We visited small towns along the north and east coasts from Palermo to Messina, down to Taormina and back using the train. If you do go bring some snacks, not many restaurants are open in small towns during the off season. Chips and soda had to work for dinner on more than one occasion.