Base for short visit to Germany in December
 

I would appreciate advice on what town to use as a base for a four day visit to Germany next month. Will be flying into and out of Frankfurt. Primary objective is to visit Christmas markets. Thinking about staying in Frankfurt and doing day trips via train to Nuremberg and Heidelberg. Is this a good plan or should we consider a different town for a base and different towns to visit for Christmas markets? I have been to Rothenberg so not interested in going there. If we stay in Frankfurt is the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel a good location for the Frankfurt Christmas market and exploring town? Thanks.

How about focusing on Dresden ? Are you committed to fly in/out of Frankfurt ? If so, Dresden may not work. Check the Christmas Markets on the German Tourist Board-gives dates/hours/locations.

Frankfurt and Nuremberg are pretty far apart for day trips. I wouldn't bother with Frankfurt - head straight over into Bavaria and park yourselves somewhere more atmospheric. Nuremberg is nice but will be crowded. We stayed just northwest of there this summer in Neutstadt an der Aisch - a great little town, easy to get in and out of by train or car, nicely situated for a visit to Wurzburg, Nuremberg, Bad Windsheim, Rothenburg, or south to Weissenburg (an old walled town.) Bamberg might work well too. I find the atmosphere in the towns listed above a cut above Heidelberg (but have not seen the Christmas markets except for Nurembrg's.)

Bamberg is a gem of a city with a lovely, well-preserved old town. A nice Christmas market that isn't as touristy as many.

Another possibility is Baden-Baden. A short train trip from Frankfurt and the town has a nice Christmas market, in addition to fantastic shopping over all. It's a very pretty, elegant place. Plus you could do a short trip to Strasbourg to see an Alsace Christmas market. If you will be in Baden-Baden on the week-end of the 12th through the 15th, there will be two special Christmas concerts. Recommended Baden-Baden hotels: the Quellenhof (about 130 euros per night double including breakfast) or the Dorint (new luxury hotel across the street from the casino, probably about 200 euros per night including breakfast plus use of its very nice spa facilities). I just did a Baden-Baden trip report; do a search here for Baden Baden and it should come up.
If you go the Nuremberg/Bamberg/Heidelberg route, I agree RufusT, make Bamberg your base. Nuremberg will be VERY crowded and I wouldn't be surprised if many of the hotels are already booked. But if you are in Nuremberg, make sure to have dinner at Heilige Geist, a medieval hospital turned into one of the city's best restaurants.

raymond,

Allow me to echo the comments of Rufus, as Bamberg is a lovely, highly atmospheric city, one that is not yet overrun by tourists. While I've not experienced the city during the Holiday season, I've read that its Christmas Market is quite distinctive and well worthwhile.

Should you go, by all means make the short excursion to the wonderful Verzenheiligen pilgrimmage church. (Talk about getting into the Christmas spirit!)

If you decide to head south, Stuttgart has the best large Kristkindlemarkt in all of Germany (my humble opinion).

Regards,

Jinx Hoover

Jinx, if you are able to get a copy of the magazine Cote Est (a French magazine, but it's sold in the U.S.), there is a gorgeous photo-spread and article on the Stuttgart Christmas market.