Jim_Tardio

I'm trying to nail down our itinerary for visiting the Christmas markets in 2007.

We plan to leave Dec.18, arriving on the 19th. in Munich. We want to go to Paris for New Years and will return home on Jan 2.

We would like to visit Nuremberg, Rothenburg and the Romantic Road, the Fussen Castle area...then travel to Salzburg and visit Hallstadt.

We'd like to do the Germany/Austria areas between Dec. 19 and Dec. 28. Then we would go to Paris for Dec. 28 through Jan 2.

Any suggestions on managing our time in Germany/Austria would be very helpful. I'm thinking of starting in Nuremberg and working our way to Salzburg...then training to Paris via Strasbourg.

We're also debating on whether to get a car or train/bus everything in Germany/Austria.

Thanks for any suggestions.

quokka

Make sure to hit all the places in Germany where you want to see Christmas markets before Dec 24.

Jim_Tardio

Yes, I figured we'd hit the Christmas Markets from Dec. 19 to the 23/24th. Then move on to Salzburg for Dec. 24 to Dec. 28/29.

I'm just struggling with how to manage our time in Germany. Should we stay in Nuremberg and daytrip from there, or move to a different location every 2 nights.

AisleSeat

If I were planning this trip I think I would base in Munich. Spend some time in the Munich Christmas markets and be sure to include the crypt market (nativity scene figures) about a block off of Marienplatz where the main Christmas market is held. On other days you can get a Bavaria pass for about 22 euros that will take you and 4 more of your close friends by train anywhere in Bavaria and they stretch that to Salzburg. You can get to Nuremburg. You will probably want a car to get to Rothenburg because I understand it is not on a main rail line so getting there requires a couple of train changes.

If you are in Salzburg for Christmas eve you can go to the midnight service at the Dom (cathedral). It is an impressive service that finishes with a small choir singing Silent Night with a guitar accompanying them. As the final notes fade the huge bell overhead starts to toll and it is answered by the bells from every church in Salzburg.

We were there last Christmas and we had planned to take a horse drawn sleigh ride on Christmas day (there was NO snow in the whole region so we had to scrap that idea). If you want to do that book early... like months early.

Jim_Tardio

Thanks, AisleSeat, that's a good suggestion. Do the trains run late into the evening if I use the Bavaria Pass? I understand the Markets are best at night.

Jim_Tardio

Doing some quick research on Fodors, I;ve come up with this itinerary:

Dec. 19,20 & 21: Base in Nuremberg with day trips to Wurzburg, Bamberg & Rothenburg.

Dec. 22 & 23 : Base in Garmisch or Fussen.

Dec. 24, 25, & 26: Base in Salzburg.

I believe I can use a Bayern Ticket for train travel between all of those destinations...is that correct?

Overall, does this sound logical?

lucy_d

Here is a lovely Christmas Market trip report with Salzburg focus:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34938757

Jim_Tardio

Thanks, Lucy. That's a good read.

hausfrau

Hi Jim, my family did a pre-Christmas trip along the Romantic Road, and quite frankly, there isn't all that much to see at the Rothenburg and Wuerzburg markets. Rothenburg's is extremely small, and Wuerzburg's is mostly a lot of junk (nobody shoot me for saying that). So don't go to those places just for the Christmas markets. Of course, they are each great towns for other reasons.

Quite frankly, the best Christmas markets I've been to in southwest Germany are in my very own Stuttgart and Esslingen (mid-sized town right next to Stuttgart). The Stuttgart market is set in the lovely Schillerplatz, and Esslingen market is more than just Christmas - it is a full-on medieval festival and quite spectacular.

I've not been to others so can't comment on them. Just my two cents!

Jim_Tardio

Thanks Hausfrau. I'm open to visiting any town. Do you think Nuremberg is a good base to daytrip from using the Bayern ticket?

megansmind

Christmas markets are beautiful. Some of the best ones are the smaller ones though. Heidelberg has a pretty Christmas market if you wanted to stop there on the way to Rothenburg. The market in Nuremberg was completely overwhelming though! We could not even move of our own free will it was so packed. We were shoulder to shoulder pressed and had to go wherever the crowd went. It was ridiculous. I recommend skipping this one and getting your Gluhwein fix somewhere else.

hausfrau

Jim, I haven't been to Nuernberg yet and travel by car in Germany, so I can't be of much help with the rail question. But just looking at a map, it seems to make sense. On the other hand, the linear nature of the Romantic Road lends itself better to car travel. You would be able to stay in some of the smaller towns that way (such as Dinkelsbuehl or Noerdlingen) or stay in a very cool place like Burg Colmberg, a castle-hotel outside of Rothenburg. But, you might have to pay an extra fee if you were to rent a car in Germany and drop it off in Austria.

megansmind does have a point about the larger markets - they can be incredibly crowded, especially on weekends. Try to go to the bigger ones on weekdays.

Germany and Austria (and Strasbourg too) are festive and gorgeous at Christmastime and I am sure you will have a great time!

Jake1

Some Christmas markets do stay open until the end of December. So, depending on which cities you visit, you might find some open after the 24th.

Jim_Tardio

I actually drove the RR a few years ago. But I was hoping to avoid dealing with a car. At that time, I just went from Rothenburg to Dinklesbhuel (sp) so I'm not sure about the other towns.

Personally, I have little interest in the markets...other than the sausages . But the others in my group like to shop.

So, I'm just going for the beer, food and photographs. I end up doing most of the planning & driving so I'm trying to save myself some work.

helsinkigirl

Hi Jim,
I was on a mission to find Christmas Markets in Dec. 2006 and loved Strasbourg. The food, ambiance/decorations and quality of merchandise were great. I've heard good things about Colmar, France, but didn't get there. Germany celebrates a three- day Christmas holiday so it might be helpful to be in a city (more variety) because things will be closed on the 24, 25, 26.

Tim_and_Liz

Jake1,

Which places have Christmas Markets open past the 24th? I'd love more info.

Thanks,
Liz

Underhill

The Nuremberg Christmas market is great fun, as are the adjacent shopping streets. But my favorite market was the small one at Passau, which featured beautiful local wood crafts. Nearby Regensberg has several markets, all interesting; some sell trachten clothing as well as Christmas items.

CarolJean

Yes, the Nuremberg market can be quite crowded but I would not skip it. Definitely don't go on the weekend, but if you can go on Mon. or Tues. it will be very enjoyable. There is a section set aside for "other countries." They had most interesting things. And the glass ornaments from the Czech Republic were lovely and very reasonable. Enjoy! CJ

Jake1

Liz: This website lists many of the German Christmas markets, including several that are open thru and past the 24th:

http://www.germany-christmas-market....ex_cities1.htm

RosieinOz

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