I plan to fly into Stuttgart and out of Zurich or Munich, can you help me with itinerary plans?<BR>This is over Christmas so I'm thinking about going to Rothenburg for two nights, on to Colmar for three nights, and Lucerne for another 3 nights.<BR>Any ideas of day trips of other sites along the way, quaint towns? Christmas Markets?<BR>thanks

tttt

anyone?

This seems like a hard question to answer for several reasons.<BR><BR>1. not that many of "us" have traveled over Christmas - - so there is the reluctance to answer on something for which "we" have no personal experience. I certainly have none.<BR><BR>2. Zurich and Munich seem like two very different endpoints, so it's almost as if I want you or someone else to make up your mind; go one way or the other.<BR><BR>3. and thus the route - - it seems to zig-zag hither and thither, especially when the endpoint is unclear.<BR><BR>I'm not trying to just criticize your posting. I empathize with anyone that asks a question, and has it go ignored. I just want you to understand why. <BR><BR>Rothenburg is great; Alsace is great (I like the automobile museum in Colmar in particular - - and I specially like Chateau de Haut Koeningbourg, near Strasbourg), and Lucerne is great - - but I don't know what any of them is like around christmas time. And they don't strong together well in this order - - to Zurich OR to Munich.<BR><BR>Keep trying. Hope you get some help thinking this through.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

hi there,<BR>as REx said, it is a little zig-zag route. And: Why do You wanna fly in to Stuttgart and out of Munich? It is just a 2 hour drive or train between these two citys. Anyway, here are my 2 cents.<BR>I dont like Rothenburg that much, there are more charming places (Dinkelb&uuml;hl, Esslingen, Besigheim ...) where You dont run into tourists. You didnt tell how You are travelling. When going by car perhpas Heidelberg (also very touristy, I know) is on YOur way. Going down the valley of river Neckar from Stuttgart is a very nice tour. Also Karlsruhe will be on Your way to Stra&szlig;burg when going on the highway. Very nice castle. If going "overland" there are a lot of little quaint villages You can stop: Monastier Maulbronn is a must (UNESCO heritage of mankind). Dillingen, Vaihingen Enz., Bretten, Baden-Baden ... The Alsac I dont know too much, Stra&szlig;burg shure is great, Colmar in summer is only tourists. Going back to Germany from there dont miss Breisgau and/or Freiburg. Also Basel is on Your way, there are so many great museums, interesting things for everyone. Going back to the north Schaffhausen and Rhine falls are shure great in winter too. If You have time take a stop at the Lake Constace (perhaps Meersburg). <BR>Christmas markets: Stuttgart is the largest. Also Stra&szlig;burg is a hit. There are a few smaller with great atmophere (Monastier Maulbronn again, castle Hohenzollern ...), but that depends on the date.<BR>Dont hesitate to ask for more, pack warm cloth and have fun<BR>Gar<BR>

Thanks for the help. I felt the trip was quite nicle laid out rather than zig zagging, but perhaps this is why I am asking and need help.<BR>Beyond the initial backtracking I would do heading for Rothenburg upon arrival, the trip was patterned in a nice loop, not with an end point in Zurich or Munich to avoid the return travel time. Zurich would most assuredly be the easy, logical drop point, however, it might cost most being in another country. I felt Munich might be a good point since I could take in the castles of S. Germany that way. Wanted some help from others who knew the area.<BR>I really love Rothenburg and don't want to miss it, thats the reason for the initial backtracking. Colmar is also high on my list as is Lucerne. I am really wondering whether there are other great little towns along the way to stop off and visit. I think Colmar would be great but not for three days, thus the request for day trips in the Alsace region. Same applies for Lucerne. We will travel by car.<BR>thanks again.

Try this website for more info on Alsace. It seems to me there were some Christmas markets in that area, but I don't see them mentioned on the website now (probably changed seasonally). I can't speak for Christmastime, but having been there at other times of the year, I can imagine the villages on the Alsatian Wine Route would be charming!<BR>http://www.visit-alsace.com/home_ang.html<BR><BR>

Sandra: Here's my to cents and it's only my opinion. I have done it both in the early spring and winter. The Alsace region in the spring, summer and fall is a great place but you may be better off flying into Frankfurt and heading down to Rothenburg (the Disney of Baveria)for 2 days, and into Garmisch, Oberammergau etc. area. From there a short trip to Salzburg up to Berchtesgaden and finally Munich is doable. These places offer Great Christmas Markets, quaint towns but a large volume of tourists. Which isn't all bad. I have never had a problem driving but who knows what the weather will be in the winter. I would save the Alsace region for another time along with Zurich.

Mike, Why save the Alsace? Not as charming in the winter? I have already done the other region you spoke of and I really would like to add something new.

Sandra,<BR>Lucerne is beautiful around Christmas time. Weather may be cold (or maybe not). There is an evergy in the air, lots of music in the streets and lights strung through the town and lining the lake. Also, many shows. We have been here for two holiday seasons and it hasn't failed to impress us yet. I also agree with the other poster on Fribourg. It is two hours away from Lucerne and a fun city (though I have only visited in winter. Only 30-40 minutes away from Colmar, as well!<BR>Have fun and driving should be ok, but no guarantees!<BR>Jan

Sandra: From your orginal message it didn't say you have been to the Christmas Markets. In my opinion,in the winter, I like the South of Germany compared to Alsace. If the Alsace region is the place you want to see still fly in to Frankfurt head to Alsace, about 4 hours with a stop for lunch,work your way down the wine route through Zurich and back up through Frebourg as suggested by Jan. Another opinion. I am not a big fan of Munich and boy you can really get hammered for that. But really what is left of the old Munich a clock tower. Sorry I would rather be in Salzburg or Vienna.

Sandra: From your orginal message it didn't say you have been to the Christmas Markets. In my opinion,in the winter, I like the South of Germany compared to Alsace. If the Alsace region is the place you want to see still fly in to Frankfurt head to Alsace, about 4 hours with a stop for lunch,work your way down the wine route through Zurich and back up through Frebourg as suggested by Jan. Another opinion. I am not a big fan of Munich and boy you can really get hammered for that. But really what is left of the old Munich a clock tower. Sorry I would rather be in Salzburg or Vienna.

Thanks for the help. I do understand the Alsace region may be better in summer but we generally do Europe in the offseason to keep the costs down. <BR>I do not plan on spending time in Munich even if we fly out of the city. Has anyone been to Halstatt during the winter? Opinions?

up<BR>

Sandra,<BR>Lucerne is beautiful around Christmas time. Weather may be cold (or maybe not). There is an evergy in the air, lots of music in the streets and lights strung through the town and lining the lake. Also, many shows. We have been here for two holiday seasons and it hasn't failed to impress us yet. I also agree with the other poster on Fribourg. It is two hours away from Lucerne and a fun city (though I have only visited in winter. Only 30-40 minutes away from Colmar, as well!<BR>Have fun and driving should be ok, but no guarantees!<BR>Jan

Haven't traveled at Christmastime but see if Trier, Germany is a possibility. I loved the town. I visited Hallstat in October and thought it was the most beautiful of all my stops. I, too, loved Rothenburg. Afterall, we are all tourists but I would suggest making a reservation in advance. In October I couldn't stay at my first choice but got a hotel room that was not so great and moved the next night. Be sure to take the nightwatchman tour, that is, unless it's too freezing. And, Colmar is perfect! I stayed in Freiburg and drove into Colmar for the day. I only spent a night & day in Lucerne and took the little train up to the mountain top, which was very interesting but I'd still spend more time in other places.

Have not travelled during X'mas time but 2 months earlier last year. Did the southern germany route. You can read about our experiences at www.vgpma.com/travel/ If you hve any questions, email me.<BR><BR><BR>Enjoy your self

Nancy, So you liked Lucerne but wouldn't devote too much time there?<BR>Mike, Why would you fly into Frankfurt and go to Alsace as opposed to Stuttgart? Is Stuttgart not closer and more efficient? Just asking so I can make an informed decision.

for the last question<BR>

Sorry, Mike mentioned that he would fly into Frankfurt rather than Stuttgart to go to the Alsace region. I am just asking why he would choose Frankfurt over Stuttgart? ISn't Stuttgart more centrally located? Even if you plan on going to Rothenburg and then backtracking Stuttgart seems the logical flyin destination.