Hi, I am traveling to Munich the week after Christmas, and was wondering if I could get some advice about people's favorite destinations. My thoughts so far as been as follows.... We have 5 full days in Germany. My friends were hoping that we would have time to see Switzerland and Austria...but I'm not sure.
I figured we would spend the first day (the 27th) in Munich. When we originally booked the trip, I saw on a website that one of the Christmas Markets went until the 31st, and now I can't find that ANYWHERE! That was one main reason I wanted to go there around Christmas, and now I think I may have missed them. (any thoughts). Other than Munich, which i was hoping we could do in one day (is that possible? no museums) we thought about driving down to St. Gallen or Appenzell (28th)for one day. Then going to Fussen to see the castles, and spending the rest of the day in Obberammergau (29th). The next day I figured we could go to Innsbruck (30th)...by way of Mittenwald (maybe stop for breakfast there). And then the next day go to Salzburg (?). The last night (31st), I thought it would be nice to spend in Munich...since it will be New Years eve.

As you can see...i have one too many days up there! So my options are to cut out one of the Munich days...but which one??? Or cut out the Switzerland part...or cut out Innsbruck! I am so torn on what to do....5 days just isn't enough!

ps. Since I plan to go to a few remote towns...I thought it would be a better idea to drive..since the trains really don't go there in any direct route...but is driving in Germany hard?

You want to "do" Munich in one day, and later on you suggest cutting one of the Munich days?

I wouldn't attempt your programme in a fortnight in Summer. It's way too much.

Trim your expectations.

I would limit your visits to Munich, Fussen, and Salzburg. Your too late for the Christmas Markets in Germany. Salzburg's might last longer.

You can see plenty of country by using public transportation, but you lose some flexibility. Driving in Germany is easy - a lot better than driving in the U.S.

Dutch-

Thank you for your advice. I didn't find a Christmas Market in Salzburg, but I did in Innsbruck! It's open until the 28th! Thanks for leading me in the right direction!

Your right...I will trim my expectations. I'm pretty sure Switzerland is entirely out! I normally go over to Europe in 2 week increments....but this time I only had a week...so it's hard to keep it simple.

Thanks again for your help!

Check out www.christmasmarkets.com, you will be able to get the market schedule for all of the locations that you are considering. Here is something else to ponder, how about going to Garmisch and going up to the Zugspitz? This is a terrific day trip out of Munich.

Amy, where is your base? Are you planning to do these places as day trips and return each night to Munich? Have you been to this area before? If not, I would cut Insbruck and keep Munich, Fuessen, Salzburg. Anything more than this and you will be driving around Germany and not enjoying it. Driving is Germany is easy, although I may be a little concerned about weather that time a year especially when you get off the freeway (Autobahn). I agree with the previous post and try to make it to the Zugspitz (weather permitting).

Clea

Clea

Hi,
I agree with all the others. Too much for 5 days. If you are intent on seeing the Innsbruck Christmas market, I'd go directly there and leave your last 2 days for Munich. Innsbruck is just 2 hours or so from the Munich airport (under good conditions).

Just a suggestion...
Arrive and go to Innsbruck for 2 nights (perhaps stay in Hall in Tirol, nicer IMO than Innsbruck, just 6 miles outside of Innsbruck). See Innsbruck and Hall in Tirol. Visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau from here.
Drive to Salzburg (about 2 hours). Stay a night in Salzburg.
Drive to Munich , drop the car and stay in Munich your last 2 nights.

Hope this helps.

Paul

Why not base yourself down near Garmisch - Oberammergau is about a half hour away as is the Ettal Abbey. From there it's a short drive to Ludwig's Linderhof castle. The Wieskirche is also very nearby.

From Garmisch you can drive around the Zugspitze and through the mountain passes into Austria. You'll pass through a couple cute ski villages on your way to Fuessen. Just outside Fuessen are two other Ludwig Castles, Hohenschwangau and the much photographed Neuschwanstein. Check out a map of the region and you'll see you can do a nice easy loop through all those places. From Garmisch it's an easy and scenic drive through the Alps to Innsbruck.

By the way, the Innsbruck Christmas Market is nothing special. But you might realy enjoy the Swarovski store as well as the nearby Schnapps shops wher they'll ply you with free samples. When we visited on New Year's Eve last year the market was still going but it was mostly Wurst and Gluhwein stalls that were still open.

You have a 2 week vacation packed into 5 days. No way you can possibly cover all those different cities, tows and sights in so few days.

Suggest you look at a map, distances/traveling times on viamichelin.com and opening hours of the sights you're interested in.

While Munich is not my favorite it's worth at least 2 days, the castles (how many - there are several) will take more than one day and you need at least a full day for Innsbruck and 2 for Salzburg - never mind the travel in between.

Seemingly contrary to most folks,I thought your original plan looked OK, but I'd suggest a couple of alterations that will give you a chance to see all you want to in five days:
27: Have a look around Munich in the AM, and, after lunch, drive to Augsburg for an overnight stay and a glance at the Fuggerei.
28: Leave Augsburg and go to Lindau: have lunch at a cafe on the edge of Lake Konstanz. After lunch, go to St Gallen via Appenzell for an overnight stay.
29: Leave St Gallen and, in the AM, visit Neuschwanstein and Linderhof, before having lunch at Oberammergau. After lunch, head down to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for an overnight stay.
30: In the AM, take the cable car to the top of the Zugspitte. On your return, drive to Mittenwald for lunch. After lunch, drive to Innsbruck, and tour the Nordkette, so that a comparison can be made with the Zugspitte. Overnight at Innsbruck.
31: Drive to Salzburg for lunch.Then on to Bad Tolz and visit Alpenmare for a water massage and sauna. Nicely relaxed,head back to Munich for New Years Eve.

Now that's what I call a 5 Day Trip!

Amy, One more thing. Rent a car with snow tires. I drove through some pretty deep snow last December while driving around the Bavarian Alps.

Munich's Tollwood market is open until the 31st according to:

http://www.germany-christmas-market....mas_market.htm

RTF - have you ever been to the Tollwood market? It is a funky place. It's more like a flea market than a Christmas Market. Lots of organic stuff, ethnic food, exotic smells, etc. Lots of fun.

Wow, Thanks everyone for all of your help! This is the first time I've posted a question...I like all the ideas!

Clea: This isn't my first time to the area..but it is for some of the people that I'm traveling with. I personally really liked how quaint Obberammergua was...so I defintely wanted to bring them there and the castles. We are not having a "home base"...last time I went I stayed in the "zimmers" and really like that. I do like the suggestion of you and poconolady to go to the zugspike...last time I was there. i didn't go up the because it was extremely foggy.

Paul: Good suggestions! Thanks!

Otzi: The Innsbruck market really isn't worth it??? That's really disappointing...I really wanted to be able to see the markets! I know I'm coming late in the season, but it's the only time my teacher friends could come with me.

Adeben: I like your attitude! We're definitely kindred spirits! I like your itinerary...maybe not exactly what we'll do...I prefer to do all my driving in the morning...so I don't feel rushed to leave throughout the day. Not to mention if we drive I don't want to have to drive in the dark.

My thoughts seem to be as follows:

After landing...Go to Salzburg for the day. From there, go to Innsbruck for a day. The next day go to Fussen/Obberammugua, and then back to Munich for for 2 days.

Perhaps I'll reverse the order, but I liked the idea of ditching the car at the end!(thanks whoever said that!)

For all of you who are slightly skeptical of all the places that I seem to be craming in...I understand what your saying, but I never spend more than a day or 2 in the same place. I feel that I am really good at keeping a good pace, without feeling rushed. But I understand your point of view.

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions! Feel free to keep them coming!

My 2 Pfennig:

You aren't going anywhere the trains don't go. Why bother with snow tires, $9/gal gas, winter driving conditions, parking fees, traffic delays, navigating, etc.? To Salzburg and within Germany, up to 5 of you can travel on one daypass ("Bayern Ticket&quot for 27 Euros per day total on the regional trains. The train takes you right to the center of things. You'll have more fun - sip some libations as you go if you like.

There is a small but pleasant Christmas market in the city of Speyer that's open until Jan 6. It's not far from Heidelberg, should you happen to end up over there instead, which might not be such a bad plan. You could get snow anywhere, but your trip is more likely to be compromised in the extreme south. I would consider dumping the potential white-out in the Alps (the Zugspitze won't offer much if it's typical winter weather) for a trip north of Munich instead; see Rothenburg (well-preserved walled town) Würzburg (Residenz Palace) then head west to Heidelberg and Speyer before returning to MUC. You could use that Bayern Ticket as far as Würzburg; from there, a similar ticket (Baden-Württemberg ticket) works to get to Heidelberg.

Very good advice from Russ.

See www.bahn.de for train and bus schedules.

You can also visit Linderhof, which many people prefer to Neuchwanstein.

http://www.castles.org/castles/Europ.../germany12.htm

All modes of transport have advantages and disadvantages. In that part of the world, I prefer renting a car when outside the major cities--you can get to sights more quickly than by public transport, and you can make unplanned stops very easily.

Of course, if you only want to go from major city to major city with nothing in between, then public transport is far superior. We've done it both ways depending on what we wanted to do and see. We've also split trips up, part by public transport and part by rental car.

Rufus- Thanks for the idea of using the train for half of the time, and then renting a car for the rest of the way!

Poconolady - Where in the Poconos might you be? In the 'burgs or further North? We're in Cardinal country if you know what I mean.

I too have been to the Innsbruck Christmas market. It's just so-so. Otzi apparently visited after the market wound (winded?) down following Christmas. I've been there a few times during it's peak period before Christmas and thought that the food and booze stalls were great, but didn't see anything like the arts and crafts and Christmas decorations we'd seen in Dresden, Salzburg, Nuremburg or Berlin. Plus it was so darn cold we could barely keep warm even fortified with gallons of Gluehwein!

If I only had 5 days, I'd skip Innsbruck and add the extra time to Salzburg or Munich. Otherwise, it's just too much rushing around for me.

And, I'd just take trains, too.

Gute Reise!