With just over a week, I would encourage you to spend the time based around Salzburg or Fussen. I personally think Prague is too far. We have stayed with children several times in Salzburg/Bavaria regions. There is so much to see & do. The Xmas market in Salzburg is lovely, as is the castle Hohensalzburg, cathedrals & just walking around. Nearby in Germany, Berchtesgaden/Konigsee & Salt Mine tours are both worthwhile. Near Fussen, Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau castles await & Fussen's walls at night are lit up. Not too far is Oberammagau, Linderhof & Weis church. Enjoy planning

Thanks. Any suggestions how many days to spend in each place?

We are thinking to go to a market in Munich or Rothenberg on the 22nd or 23rd and then maybe leave for Salzburg on the 24th and spend Christmas mass there. How many days would you suggest for in and around Salzburg?

Would you suggest also seeing Innsbruck?

How many days would you suggest for Fussen area?

Also, would you recommend to drive or take trains? Remember we will likely have stroller and other baby gear.

Thanks

You have limited time and 2 small children. To make the most of your opportunity without under stress on everyone I would stay in either one or two places. Jetting around europe with 2 little kids makes no sense - especially since the places you are talking about are too close together for flying to make sense.

I would land in Munich and then train directly to Salzburg to spend several days there. then head back to Munich for several days before returning home. Both cities are charming and have a lot to see and do - as well as a number of interesting day trips - including up into the mountains to get your sleigh ride. but do check in advance to see where they are offered - you can't drive a team of horses down the Marienplatz. (At least not since about 1890.)

Is Hohenschwangau considered a day trip from Munich or is it best to get accommodations there? Is that a train ride away?

When we have stayed at Xmas in the Salzburg and Fussen areas on 3 occasions with children, we have rented a car & a house/apartment. This gives flexibility, places for children to play in the snow, easy access to supermarkets & ability to do lots of day trips. We've stayed at Abtenau & St Koloman each for a week for Salzburg area (including Berchtesgaden) & Reutte (Austria) for Bavaria, as it was much cheaper. I'm not sure I would want to travel in winter with small children all the time on public transport - too cold & too much waiting.

We probably will rent a car. Although a house/ apartment sounds great, we have Hilton and Priority Club Points, so we will probably choose hotels in the big cities of Munich and Salzburg and then one resort in Berchtesgaden - The Intercontinental. We figure with the major chain hotels, we are assured to have a portable crib in the room and not have to worry about packing that.

We aren't sure how many days to plan in the cities and how long to spend for day trips.

Will look into Abtenau and St Kolomon. Thanks for the tips.

The Christmas market in Salzburg stays open until the 26th

My wife is a teacher and we are like you, we have to limit our travel to school holidays. I have found that most of the Christmas markets close about 2pm on the 24th. If you fly out of the US on the 22nd and arrive in Germany on the 23rd with your jet lagging behind you your time at the Christmas Markets will be very limited. Actually you could fly into Munich, take the S Bahn to Marienplatz and spend an hour at the big Christmas Market there the go to the train station by S Bahn and take the train to Salzburg.

I would go to Salzbiurg first and enjoy the Christmas market as much as I could, go to the midnight mass at the cathedral on the 24th? I seem to remember it starting about 10pm and lines forming well before that to get in and get a seat. They have a formal choir and orchestra then they finish in candlelight with a quartet and guitar singing Silent Night. As the final notes fade a huge bell right above starts to ring in Christmas. As you walk back to your hotel in the snow all the church bells in Salzburg answer the cathedral's bells.

After Christmas I would visit Ludwig country in the alps then make my way to Munich. Time permitting I would rent a car and go to Rothenburg with a stop in Dinkelsbuhl. You can check the Neuschwanstein Web site to see when they will be open.

We have spent several Christmasses in that area and it is truly magic. Enjoy your trip.

Where exactly is the Ludwig country?

King Ludwig is renown for building Neuschwanstein castle at Schwangau, Linderhof not far away & Herrenchiemsee near Chiemsee on an island. All are in close proximity to Munich & all are worth a visit. Google map will give you exact locations.