When to visit Germany
Jan 20th, 2012, 05:25 PM
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When to visit Germany
I'd like to plan a trip for sometime in 2013 or 2014 to take a week or two in Germany with my husband who spent part of his youth there. He says that I will want to see Bavaria, but I also intend to spend at least half our time in Berlin seeing that city through his eyes. The only other thing I can think I might want to do is to perhaps stay in one or more of the castle hotels, although that isn't a necessity at all. I was thinking of summer or spring for that trip, but also considering making a separate trip to see the Christmas markets.
I would love to hear opinions about whether I should just combine the two trips and only do a December trip or what is the best time to plan for the nicest climate for a week or two at a different time of year.
I would love to hear opinions about whether I should just combine the two trips and only do a December trip or what is the best time to plan for the nicest climate for a week or two at a different time of year.
Jan 20th, 2012, 06:32 PM
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Agree that the Christmas markets (late November to 24 Dec) is a fabulous time to visit and one you won't want to miss. However, if you're considering another period, my favourite time is late summer -early autumn - in September you still get beautiful, long warm days, wasps buzzing around the Zwetschgendatschi (plum-cake) in the cake shops, and the start of the wine harvest festivals. If you time it well you also see the leaves just starting to turn, although October is just starting to get a little nippy - the first thrill of cool weather. Enjoy!
Lavandula
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Jan 20th, 2012, 06:46 PM
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I like September in Germany, but October is nice too.
Several years ago, I went to Germany and Austria in August and was uncomfortable at times, as most of the hotels I stayed in did not have air conditioning.
Several years ago, I went to Germany and Austria in August and was uncomfortable at times, as most of the hotels I stayed in did not have air conditioning.
Jan 20th, 2012, 06:52 PM
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I think almost all times have their pros and cons, except maybe January thru March (and I am sure skiers would disagree with me).
Spring has not been mentioned above and I personally love it, especially the asparagus!
Actually one benefit of the less popular times of the year is that there are less crowds and cheaper airfares.
Spring has not been mentioned above and I personally love it, especially the asparagus!
Actually one benefit of the less popular times of the year is that there are less crowds and cheaper airfares.
Jan 20th, 2012, 10:04 PM
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Hi fromscratchmom,
I moved to Bavaria a little more than three years ago and have seen the changes of season now three times.
I agree that the very best time of year is late summer or fall, from September through mid-October.
Springtime will have fewer visitors, yes, but it'll probably also be wetwetwet.
Have fun as you plan!
s
I moved to Bavaria a little more than three years ago and have seen the changes of season now three times.
I agree that the very best time of year is late summer or fall, from September through mid-October.
Springtime will have fewer visitors, yes, but it'll probably also be wetwetwet.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Jan 21st, 2012, 06:55 AM
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You can certainly visit Berlin and Bavaria - and find a nice castle-hotel - in December if you wish. September weather is clearly better. But as long as you take the proper clothes and don't plan any long bike rides or hikes, I'm sure you'll find the Christmas markets a to be a good trade off for September wine fests.
I've been to Germany twice in December and January over the last several years. We experienced neither bitter cold nor blinding blizzards. You'll typically find some of the mildest winter weather along the Rhine between Cologne in the north and Freiburg in the south. And winter airfares are typically a good bit lower.
I've been to Germany twice in December and January over the last several years. We experienced neither bitter cold nor blinding blizzards. You'll typically find some of the mildest winter weather along the Rhine between Cologne in the north and Freiburg in the south. And winter airfares are typically a good bit lower.
Jan 21st, 2012, 07:25 AM
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December is pretty much hit or miss re. weather. More miss than hit IME.
Most bigger cities with well-known Christmas markets are at quite low elevations (Nuremberg or Munich barely scratch the 1,500ft mark), so while Swandav in beautiful Upper Bavaria might experience picture-perfect winter wonderland, us in Munich don't see much more than many grey days with rain and temps hovering a bit above freezing, and maybe a bit of black ice at night (like right NOW).
With a good deal of generalization you can say that winter does not really hit Germany until mid-January (with the exception of the mountain regions).
Berlin is in a much dryer zone than Bavaria, but December is also more one of the miserable than beautiful months.
If you are a museum aficionado this will probably not disturb you, but otherwise I don't consider it too much fun.
The shoulder seasons (May/June or Sept/Oct) should be the safest bet for having "all purpose" weather, i.e. not too hot, not too rainy.
Though no one can guarantee that you will not encounter the only rainy week in a bone-dry fall, for example.
Most bigger cities with well-known Christmas markets are at quite low elevations (Nuremberg or Munich barely scratch the 1,500ft mark), so while Swandav in beautiful Upper Bavaria might experience picture-perfect winter wonderland, us in Munich don't see much more than many grey days with rain and temps hovering a bit above freezing, and maybe a bit of black ice at night (like right NOW).
With a good deal of generalization you can say that winter does not really hit Germany until mid-January (with the exception of the mountain regions).
Berlin is in a much dryer zone than Bavaria, but December is also more one of the miserable than beautiful months.
If you are a museum aficionado this will probably not disturb you, but otherwise I don't consider it too much fun.
The shoulder seasons (May/June or Sept/Oct) should be the safest bet for having "all purpose" weather, i.e. not too hot, not too rainy.
Though no one can guarantee that you will not encounter the only rainy week in a bone-dry fall, for example.
Jan 21st, 2012, 07:36 AM
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We are going the second half of March this year because I scored some good biz class tix on Lufthansa on a special deal and because there's a break then where I work. I expect the weather will not be wonderful but definitely lodging prices are relatively low!
Jan 26th, 2012, 08:58 AM
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We have visited Germany during spring, summer and Christmas Market season. We lived there for a number of years and fall is probably the best weather but conflicts with my wife's job. Since we went to the Christmas Markets in 2008, my wife prefers that time over all others. I certainly do not mind it. We visit the markets and see the sights. Our pictures for a couple years:
http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Germany-2008
http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-2010
Just click on any towns that appeal to you. You will notice that the weather was very different for these two visits.
Regards, Gary
http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Germany-2008
http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-2010
Just click on any towns that appeal to you. You will notice that the weather was very different for these two visits.
Regards, Gary
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