Christmas trip to Germany, what city?
Aug 14th, 2014, 06:08 PM
#1
Christmas trip to Germany, what city?
Apologies in advance that this might be a bit convoluted, as I'm in the early stages of planning...
Spouse and I plan to fly from Perth, Australia to Zurich, and then either fly/train to 'somewhere' Germany for 7-9 days to soak up the Christmas markets and general holiday atmosphere - we'll be there from approximately Dec 15-23, and then we'll head to the Engadine in Switzerland for another 10 days or so.
I realize this doesn't make the most logistical sense, but flying into Zurich allows us to take the A380 direct from Singapore on SQ (13 hour flight), which is our preference over taking a 777 from Singapore to Munich.
As much as we'd prefer to be in the Engadine before Christmas, our travel dates are such that we need to visit Germany first in order to take in the pre--Christmas festivities.
My dilemma is where to go in Germany? Last year we spent three nights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and five nights in Munich. On previous trips we've stayed in Berchtesgaden, Mittenwald and Garmisch. We've previously visited all of Ludwig's castles, so that's not a draw.
I guess we're after two bases, perhaps another location that's similar to Rothenburg (Dinkelsbuhl, Wurtzburg, Cochem, Nordlingen?) and a smallish, easy to get around on foot type city (Bamburg?). We're most interested in winter landscapes, mountains, walking, architecture, and of course plenty of gluhwein and bratwurst. We'll be traveling by train.
All suggestions appreciated.
Spouse and I plan to fly from Perth, Australia to Zurich, and then either fly/train to 'somewhere' Germany for 7-9 days to soak up the Christmas markets and general holiday atmosphere - we'll be there from approximately Dec 15-23, and then we'll head to the Engadine in Switzerland for another 10 days or so.
I realize this doesn't make the most logistical sense, but flying into Zurich allows us to take the A380 direct from Singapore on SQ (13 hour flight), which is our preference over taking a 777 from Singapore to Munich.
As much as we'd prefer to be in the Engadine before Christmas, our travel dates are such that we need to visit Germany first in order to take in the pre--Christmas festivities.
My dilemma is where to go in Germany? Last year we spent three nights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and five nights in Munich. On previous trips we've stayed in Berchtesgaden, Mittenwald and Garmisch. We've previously visited all of Ludwig's castles, so that's not a draw.
I guess we're after two bases, perhaps another location that's similar to Rothenburg (Dinkelsbuhl, Wurtzburg, Cochem, Nordlingen?) and a smallish, easy to get around on foot type city (Bamburg?). We're most interested in winter landscapes, mountains, walking, architecture, and of course plenty of gluhwein and bratwurst. We'll be traveling by train.
All suggestions appreciated.
Aug 14th, 2014, 09:49 PM
#2
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Hi Melnq8,
Well, I'm sorry you won't be in southern Bavaria so we could arrange a gtg!
But -- have you thought about Dresden? I'm longing to go there for the oldest Christmas market in Germany, as well as to see some of the Erzgebirge ornaments.
Though Dresden is a full-on city, I found the central portion to be so wide open and spacious as to make it seem smaller and more friendly. There is stunning architecture there, a blending of old German, Italianate, and of course Post-War Socialist. You can visit Saxon Switzerland as well as walk up/down the Elbe, quite lovely.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Well, I'm sorry you won't be in southern Bavaria so we could arrange a gtg!
But -- have you thought about Dresden? I'm longing to go there for the oldest Christmas market in Germany, as well as to see some of the Erzgebirge ornaments.
Though Dresden is a full-on city, I found the central portion to be so wide open and spacious as to make it seem smaller and more friendly. There is stunning architecture there, a blending of old German, Italianate, and of course Post-War Socialist. You can visit Saxon Switzerland as well as walk up/down the Elbe, quite lovely.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Aug 15th, 2014, 12:05 AM
#3
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LOL, I also wondered why you wouldn't consider Dresden and the Erzgebirge mountains. There are non-stop flights and also the CityNightLine trains between Dresden and Zürich.
You won't find the " winter landscapes, mountains" in Northern Bavaria/Franconia (Dinkelsbuhl, Wurtzburg, Cochem, Nordlingen) anyway. Why not going to the Erzgebirge mountains instead? Not comparable to the Bavarian Alps, of course, but like a small version of the Black Forest.
The Christmas markets in Schwarzenberg, Schneeberg, Annaberg-Buchholz e.g. and the whole town of Seiffen offer very romantic Christmas markets. Architecture is different, more stone houses than timber-framed houses, though. Görlitz (an hour from Dresden) has a Silesian Christmas market, unique in Germany. And the town is a *must* see!
Have you seen my pages on Virtualtourist.com? I created a couple with lots of pictures on these Erzgebirge towns (not to mention Dresden):
Annaberg-Buchholz: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/131d1/
Kurort Seiffen: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/ab23/
Schwarzenberg: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/4cf4/
Schneeberg: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/5124/
As swandav said, Dresden is a good base, too. The Christmas markets are very charming. In case you don't want to stay in the city centre you can easily stay in one of the quiet and rather upscale 19th century residential areas (Blasewitz, Striesen, Weisser Hirsch) or in one of the former villages that are now part of the municipality (Loschwitz! Which even has its own and VERY romantic Christmas market.)
I.
You won't find the " winter landscapes, mountains" in Northern Bavaria/Franconia (Dinkelsbuhl, Wurtzburg, Cochem, Nordlingen) anyway. Why not going to the Erzgebirge mountains instead? Not comparable to the Bavarian Alps, of course, but like a small version of the Black Forest.
The Christmas markets in Schwarzenberg, Schneeberg, Annaberg-Buchholz e.g. and the whole town of Seiffen offer very romantic Christmas markets. Architecture is different, more stone houses than timber-framed houses, though. Görlitz (an hour from Dresden) has a Silesian Christmas market, unique in Germany. And the town is a *must* see!
Have you seen my pages on Virtualtourist.com? I created a couple with lots of pictures on these Erzgebirge towns (not to mention Dresden):
Annaberg-Buchholz: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/131d1/
Kurort Seiffen: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/ab23/
Schwarzenberg: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/4cf4/
Schneeberg: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/4166c/5124/
As swandav said, Dresden is a good base, too. The Christmas markets are very charming. In case you don't want to stay in the city centre you can easily stay in one of the quiet and rather upscale 19th century residential areas (Blasewitz, Striesen, Weisser Hirsch) or in one of the former villages that are now part of the municipality (Loschwitz! Which even has its own and VERY romantic Christmas market.)
I.
Aug 15th, 2014, 12:07 AM
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My recommendations for you would be Freiburg im Breisgau, a beautiful town located near the Black Forest, Kassel (with lots of parks and palaces) and Bacharach, a stunning little medieval town with amazing culture and history. Check them out, maybe you'll like one of them.
)
Aug 15th, 2014, 02:35 AM
#6
Wow, some great ideas, thank you all. We haven't discounted anywhere, it's just that none of the above were even on our radar.
Now they are! Off to research and look at those links.
Now they are! Off to research and look at those links.
Aug 15th, 2014, 02:56 AM
#7
We stayed in Lauterbad, just 4 kms outside Freudenstadt over Chrisfmas & New Year 2012. It's a lovely little hamlet, with beautiful Black Forest walks everywhere.
Day trips to exquisite little towns of Schiltach & Alpirsbach and to the Freiburg & Baden Baden Christmas markets were highlights.
We only had a little snow, apparently it was unseasonably warm, but waking up to a field of white was pure magic.
We used the complimentary Kronos card on the trains & buses on our day trips.
I'll drop you a line over the weekend, Mel.
Day trips to exquisite little towns of Schiltach & Alpirsbach and to the Freiburg & Baden Baden Christmas markets were highlights.
We only had a little snow, apparently it was unseasonably warm, but waking up to a field of white was pure magic.
We used the complimentary Kronos card on the trains & buses on our day trips.
I'll drop you a line over the weekend, Mel.
Aug 16th, 2014, 09:27 PM
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Hi Melnq8,
The dates are 29 Nov - 24 Dec.
They're posted at the GaPa site
http://www.gapa.de/highlight_christmas_market.html
Oh, let me know if you're coming this way!
s
The dates are 29 Nov - 24 Dec.
They're posted at the GaPa site
http://www.gapa.de/highlight_christmas_market.html
Oh, let me know if you're coming this way!
s
Aug 16th, 2014, 09:43 PM
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Freiburg (i. Breisgau) is an attractive small city and it's also an easy base for day-tripping to Basel (good Christmas market), Baden-Baden (ditto, plus the whole town is beautifully decorated for Christmas) and Gengenbach. If you want a spa town experience, then Baden-Baden is a good base for day tripping to Gengenbach, Freiburg, and Strasbourg. Baden-Baden also has free live holiday music near the Kurhaus during Advent season.
A side note: during Christmas market season, there is a good shuttle bus system from Colmar to the small villages that normally aren't well served by public transportation. It's cheap too -- just 5 euros per person per day. So you could day trip or stay overnight in one of the villages like Eguisheim. You can catch the bus near the Colmar train station. In 2013, they left the station every two hours: 9:50 / 11:50 / 13:50 / 15:50 / 17:50 / 18:50 http://www.ot-eguisheim.fr/en/christ...eguisheim.html
A side note: during Christmas market season, there is a good shuttle bus system from Colmar to the small villages that normally aren't well served by public transportation. It's cheap too -- just 5 euros per person per day. So you could day trip or stay overnight in one of the villages like Eguisheim. You can catch the bus near the Colmar train station. In 2013, they left the station every two hours: 9:50 / 11:50 / 13:50 / 15:50 / 17:50 / 18:50 http://www.ot-eguisheim.fr/en/christ...eguisheim.html
Aug 16th, 2014, 09:49 PM
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If you are willing to fly, then of course Dresden! It's lovely during Advent (but no guarantees of snow). We're going to Dresden in December for several days and staying at the Aparthotel Altes Dresden, in a serviced apartment with a direct view of the Frauenkirche. It has a small kitchen and also a washing machine in the bathroom so you can do a load or two of laundry before heading out to the Engadine. Just something to keep in mind as laundromats aren't all that easily found in Germany.
Daytrip to Leipzig, which also has a great market.
Daytrip to Leipzig, which also has a great market.
Aug 16th, 2014, 11:50 PM
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Hello,
Does it have to be Germany that you visit? Austria including Vienna and Salzburg have some brilliant Christmas markets. I also vote for Basel and Strasbourg.
I've been looking at Christmas market river cruises and doing so may give you some other great ideas. Check out www.cruises.com and put in December as your month and check out where the Christmas Market cruises are going. You could head further up the Rhine or on the Main rivers.
I would keep n mind that no matter how large a city you go to it can be as small as you would like. I go to London at least yearly but most of why I do is in a very small section of the city as I have mobility problems.
Does it have to be Germany that you visit? Austria including Vienna and Salzburg have some brilliant Christmas markets. I also vote for Basel and Strasbourg.
I've been looking at Christmas market river cruises and doing so may give you some other great ideas. Check out www.cruises.com and put in December as your month and check out where the Christmas Market cruises are going. You could head further up the Rhine or on the Main rivers.
I would keep n mind that no matter how large a city you go to it can be as small as you would like. I go to London at least yearly but most of why I do is in a very small section of the city as I have mobility problems.
Aug 17th, 2014, 08:59 AM
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If you travel by train to Nuremberg you will arrive right near the old part of the city where most of the tourist sites you would want to see are located. As noted above, it is very manageable.
Don't forget to eat some Lebkuchen.
Don't forget to eat some Lebkuchen.
Aug 17th, 2014, 04:48 PM
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Since many of you seem to be knowledgeable, if my hubby & I were to be in Germany or Austria over the actual christmas holiday--where would it be best to be? Our initial plan was Berlin to Munich to Salzburg then a few days in the alps, either bavaria or austria.
I now that christmas day & the day after are holidays. What would there be for us to do? Is there a city that would be better? Or should we arrange to be in the alps then? At this point we can arrange the way we want, nothing's been set yet. The only thing set is that we cannot leave for our trip till dec 16 due to a family obligation. So.... since we were planning about 2 1/2 wks we would be there over christmas, which is fine. We just don't know what we'd be able to do.
Any suggestions?
I now that christmas day & the day after are holidays. What would there be for us to do? Is there a city that would be better? Or should we arrange to be in the alps then? At this point we can arrange the way we want, nothing's been set yet. The only thing set is that we cannot leave for our trip till dec 16 due to a family obligation. So.... since we were planning about 2 1/2 wks we would be there over christmas, which is fine. We just don't know what we'd be able to do.
Any suggestions?
