Hello,

First I am pretty new to these boards, but they are great. Thanks in advance!

Our family will be travelling in Nov/Dec starting in Zell or St Aldegund (which is better), Germany for 2 weeks, then Garmisch for 3 weeks, then Amalfi for three weeks. We already have apartments, bt what is the best way to travel between our stops?

We wanted to try and avoid renting a car, but is that reasonable? Should we take the train (about 5 train changes between Mosel area-Garmisch) or try to fly?

Thanks!
Thanks!!!

You are bound to get lots of questions about why you are going to Amalfi in December.

Do you have family there?

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi lava - I (48) recently did a similar train trip with my mom (77) in May. We went from Cochem (on the Mosel) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber which required about 5 changes of trains, stayed a day and then went to Munich, about 3 changes I believe.

The trains themselves were very very nice, (we went first class) and it was overall a very easy trip. The connections were easy, train stations were well marked. What made it hard was the luggage. And I'm a packing Nazi but still had one 21" rollaboard and one rolling tote. My mom had two pieces but a little larger. It got a little tiring lugging those on an off. We were lucky to have help many times with putting the bags up and bringing them down. But you can't count on it.

If I do the train thing again (and, really, I did enjoy it) I'd pack ONE bag only and maybe a small purse. And, I would stay longer between trips. (You seem to be doing fine in that regard.)

You can click on my name and read my trip report (written in mid-May) if you dare! It was a little rocky at first, but it got better.

And, yes, people on this board are really fantastic!

We don't have family there, but we wanted to spend Christmas in Europe in a seaside village-so we figured the Amalfi coast why not? The weather won't be the best, but at least it won't be overrun with tourists!

The "why not?" would be because many hotels and restaurants might not be open...

It won't be overrun with tourists because:

The weather will proably be bad - a beach rsort in the cold and rain is not a lot of fun

Many hotels and restaurants will be closed

Some activities will be on limited winter hours

Ferry travel may well be unavailable at least some of the time due to high seas (they simply don't run - meaning youcan;t get to Capri or the other islands)

You will be unlikelt to get into the blue grotto etc - even if willing to brave the seas/cold

I understand the lure of the seaside when it's cold and deserted (although the Amalfi doesn;t have long beautiful white sand beaches for walking) - and often go out to Jones beach for an afternoon in the winter. But for one afternoon only - certainly not for 3 weeks - I can't imagine what there will be to do.

Your Mosel-Garmisch train trip could be broken up with a short stay in either Nuremberg or Bamberg in northern Bavaria. Both are worthwhile at any time of year, but Nuremberg is especially wonderful during the pre-Christmas season, when it puts on one of the most traditional (and maybe the largest) Christkindlmarkts.

Thanks for the info. We actually wanted to just veg out the last three weeks, so we didn't really care too much about sightseeing etc. It doesn't matter anyway because I just heard from some relatives who will also be in Italy at that time, so we're staying in Florence instead, it being Christmas time and all.
It seems like a better choice all around anyway!