tja2016

My friend and I will be flying in/out of Amsterdam 12/13-12/28 this December. We plan to spend 4 days in Amsterdam, take the train to Paris for 2/3 days (we've both been before) and then travel to Switzerland around 12/20-12/21. We would like to end in Munich and be there for Christmas day and then travel back to Amsterdam for our flight on 12/28. Any recommendations for a nice/beautiful city to visit in Switzerland? We would be open to skiing or relaxing and enjoying the scenery. We are planning for about 4 days there. We would be open to traveling to two cities in Switzerland if they are close by. Also if you have any recs on how to get from Paris to Switzerland and then to Munich that would be helpful as well. Thanks

PalenQ

Trains are best for Amsterdam to Paris - www.thalys.com book your own online ticket at huge discount if do NOW to get the limited in number discounted tickets.

Paris to Switzerland via TGV - about 4-5 hours to say the Interlaken area - great for winter sports and all around Alpine splendor. Book discounted tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com.

Lucerne would make a neat stop after that.

Train via Zurich to Munich - about 4 hours - www.bahn.de/en for booking your own again discounted tickets.

Munich to Amsterdam is an all-day train ride so may want to fly.

For lots on trains and ticketing check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

PalenQ

Why Munich on Xmas Day? Nothing will be open I would think (not sure) whereas a place like Paris on Xmas Day is hopping, relatively with lots of folks out and about strolling -ice rink in front of town hall busy as folks in France celebrate Xmas the evening before with traditional family dinner - next day resting or like in Paris out for a stroll - I was surprised even small shops, cafes and some museums even open. Perhaps Munich is similar as it is Catholic I believe but think not and Munich is a big detour from a Zurich to Amsterdam train.

I'd think about going to Munich and Switzerland first then Xmas time in Paris and Amsterdam which totally rocks during the week between Xmas and New Years.

Maybe fly straight away from Amsterdam to Munich - long train ride. No night trains anymore I think.

swandav2000

hi tja2016,

Yes, Pal is correct in his comments about Munich (I live in Garmisch, about 1h30 from Munich). Most shops will be closed on 24 December because it's a Sunday anyway (all shops are closed on Sundays except the ones in the train station & gas stations), and the Christmas markets will shut down around 2 pm on that day. Monday 25 Dec and Tuesday 26 Dec are also holidays, so nothing will open up again until Wednesday 27 Dec.

Some restaurants and cafes will be open on those days, but not all. Hotel restaurants will of course be open, but you should make reservations to be sure to get a table. As for museums and castles, you should check each one you're interested in to see what days it's open.

The itinerary that Pal laid out seems to work better -- put Munich and Switzerland at the start of the trip, then end it in Paris/Amsterdam.

Have fun as you plan!

s

PalenQ

Dropping Munich if for just a day would be my advice.

neckervd

If you come from Munich and if the ski resort must be Swiss (and not Austrian or German), you may just take the bus from Munich to Chur (4 hrs, fare 15 EUR/pax for random date of Dec 19th)and continue from there to Flims, Arosa or Davos (about 1 hr by bus resp train from Chur).

Amsterdam - Munich:
take the nightjet 421 Dusseldorf dp 20.54 - Munich ar 7.08, with sleeping cars.
Connecting train: Amsterdam dp 16.32 - Dusseldorf ar 18.46

Melnq8

I agree that Munich is pretty sleepy on Christmas Day. We spent Christmas Day there a few years back - everything pretty much shut down from 2 pm on Christmas Eve onwards, as mentioned above by swandav.

Having said that, we found enough to keep us busy - we found an open coffee shop, visited a church or two, wandered the Englischer Garten (found an open Christmas market and bier garden there) and watched the surfers in the Eisbach. We've been to Munich many times before, and so we didn't feel we were missing out on anything. In fact, it was kind of fun to stroll the relatively empty Marienplatz and watch the Christmas market vendors pack up (but we're easily entertained!).

We found several casual restaurants open for business after about noon on Christmas Day which we weren't expecting.

Be aware that if you visit a ski area in Switzerland that close to Christmas that you may have trouble finding accommodation for less than a week.

PalenQ

Be aware that if you visit a ski area in Switzerland that close to Christmas that you may have trouble finding accommodation for less than a week.>

Yes up in the hills especially but Interlaken only a short train ride from the slopes may well have short-term stays if any place does. Good tip from Melanq8, a Swiss expert IME.

PalenQ

Amsterdam - Munich:
take the nightjet 421 Dusseldorf dp 20.54 - Munich ar 7.08, with sleeping cars.
Connecting train: Amsterdam dp 16.32 - Dusseldorf ar 18.46>

Ah the night trains do run but you have to take an easy connection from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf - go early and check out popular Xmas Market. These are hotel trains and some of the most comfy in Europe for night trains.

PalenQ

3. Interlaken: The town is recognized for its unprecedented mountain view.>

Unprecendented mountain view? Though the mountains are a distant visage from some places in Interlaken you call those views unprecendented? Zillions of place in Switzerland have even better mountain views IME!!!