nanwar1214

Hi

My friends and I are going to Europe from mid dec to beginning of January. We'll be starting of from Rome and then plan to do Florence then Munich, bamberg, rohtenburg, neuschwanstein castle etc. I was really excited about being in Bavarian area during Christmas but it didn't hit me that a lot of places I wanna see including Christmas markets, castles, bamberg and rohtenburg etc might be closed during that time and there might be limited public transport aswell. So I need suggestions about how to go about it and if any places would be open to explore from around 24th dec to 26th. Or would it be a better idea to get to Germany directly from Rome and after checking out all the places I've mentioned above move back to Italy and do Florence etc?

Grindeldoo

Based on my own experiences when living in Germany for many years, I would say that Christmas there is a very different experience to that in Anglo-Saxon countries. Celebrations are very much family oriented, and start at around midday on Christmas Eve, with the main Christmas meal being that evening. I have always found 25 December to be very quiet, unlike in my British homeland. It is a public holiday which means that just about everything is closed including most restaurants and bars in addition to museums, castles etc. It may also be that no trains, trams or buses will run. That said I can imagine that a place like Bamberg could be magical then as it is a small city and there wouldn't be many tourists at that time of year. Personally I'd try and rent a place for a few days, so that you can self cater when things are closed, and explore the city on foot. If there's snow, it could be magical.

wanderfrau

Grindeloo is correct that things get quiet 24 - 26 Dec in Germany. It also means grocery stores are closed, so if you self cater you must plan ahead.

You may want to consider booking a place that has a Christmas holiday package that includes meals and activities. It will likely take some research and it may be in a more remote location but it would be a great experience.

Most (not all) Christmas markets end by 24 Dec. You can check the website of each city to find the days and times the market is open.

swandav2000

Hi nanwar1214,

This year Christmas falls on a Friday. That means that stores, many restaurants, and most sites will be closed from around 1400 on Thursday, and then all day on Friday, on Saturday (the second Christmas Day), and on Sunday as usual. That will take some planning -- make sure you've identified restaurants that will be open on those days and/or stock up on all the food you'll need. There is always a small bakery open in the train stations, so you won't starve, lol!

Public transportation continues to run, as folks still have to get around town and to get from town to town. It will run on a regular Sunday schedule, so you can use any Sunday to see how often the trains and busses will run.

Have fun as you plan!

s

nanwar1214

Thanks so much Guys those responses are definitely helpful! My main concern was transport only but if that still runs during Christmas then it's fine because even if I walk around the places like bamberg or Munich during Christmas it should be really pretty I'm assuming and I actually do like the idea of less crowd!
I have another query
Is there a possibility of visiting neuschwanstein castle around this time? Also how easy is it to get there from Munich if I'm going by myself?
Also what's the most convenient way from Munich to Prague? Any ideas?

WeisserTee

We thought Dresden was wonderful at Christmas, esp if you stay in the historic old city. There is a good selection of hotels there with restaurants, so you can reserve a table for Christmas eve and day (book well ahead of time).

Dresden is also closer to Prague -- only two hours away by direct train (no changes).

I did spend Christmas eve in Leipzig in 2011. The church service at Nikolaikirche was lovely. Almost every restaurant was closed except for an Indian restaurant a block from the church. I had quite a pleasant, if nontraditional, meal there.

nanwar1214

Hmm ok so here's the situation my friends and I are starting our trip from Italy and from Italy to Munich because I wanted to see bamberg and rohtenburg plus neuschwanstein now there's a possibility my friends don't join me in Munich or stay only a day so if I happen to be by myself around Christmas time that is 24th-27th ish in Munich what should be the most convenient itinerary if my final stop is Prague? Should I lessen the time in Munich and add Dresden as u said it's closer to Prague? Also in terms of food and all I could probably pre plan my meals and stock up in case restaurants and stores are closed i suppose? Also any idea if there would be safe and clean hostels for a solo female traveller in all those places Mentioned?

swandav2000

Hi again,

Here is what is posted at the Neuschwanstein website:


Opening hours of Neuschwanstein Castle

19 March to 15 October: 9 am-6 pm
16 October to 18 March: 10 am-4 pm
open daily except 1 January and 24 / 25 / 31 December


From this page:
http://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisc...ist/admiss.htm

So you could go on Saturday 26 Dec.

Use the German rail site to see the train schedules:

www.bahn.com

Start: Munich
Destination: Hohenschwangau, Schwangau (Schlösser)

Remember to use a Sunday to see the schedule.

Here's a site to begin your search for hostels in Munich:

http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/Munich

Have fun!

s

nanwar1214

Oh great! Thanks so much will check all of that out!

nanwar1214

Ok so my plan is a little more clearer now. We'll be in Florence till around 23rd and plan to reach Munich by 24th. Now my concern is that one I do not wanna spend Christmas on the train so we have to be either in Florence or in Bavaria on the Christmas Day. Is the Christmas situation similar in Florence etc as I'm Bavaria? Or is it a better option to spend Christmas in Florence? Or alternatively reach Munich on 24th and on Christmas Day get to bamberg? In bamberg I don't want to see a specific place that I should worry about being closed really just wanna walk around and I understand most places would be closed but also don't want it be completely gloomy. Also any chance we can catch a Christmas market if we're in Bavarian area on the 24th or after Christmas? I hear some markets are there till January.

swandav2000

Hi again,

In Germany, Christmas markets shut down around 14.00 on 24 Dec. I've heard the Christmas market in Salzburg remains open into January, but I can't confirm.

s