krwicke

We are from New Zealand and wanting to spend Christmas in Europe (preferably Germany or Poland) this year (2019). We want to stay somewhere that is beautiful, preferably with a good chance of snow, that will provide a special Christmas experience including a Christmas dinner. We are not interested in skiing.

All suggestions most welcome!
Kristin

Melnq8

Hi Krwicke -

We've spent several Christmases in Europe - we love Germany at Christmas - so festive - and Switzerland - which is more sedate, but lovely indeed. This year we also included Austria, and had snow coming out of our eyeballs in Seefeld, but that's certainly not a given.

If you're looking for Alps and stunning scenery (with a chance of snow) you might take a look at Garmisch, Mittenwald and Berchtesgaden in Germany, Seefeld, Salzburg and Innsbruck in Austria, and just about anywhere at elevation in Switzerland - our choice is usually the Engadine.

PS - We've been visiting NZ since the early 90's on a pretty regular basis - I envy you living there (current tourist situation aside).

fourfortravel

I'll second Melnq8's suggestion for Bavaria, Salzburg (and the Salzkammergut), Seefeld, and so forth. We have spent a few Christmas seasons in this area, some with/out snow, but definitely alps to admire! We have also spent one Christmas in Krakow; lovely, but without snow.

krwicke

Thanks Melinq8 for all that useful information. Is there any hotel that you would recommend for a special Christmas day food and celebration?

krwicke

Again very useful information. I am now looking for the name of a hotel that provides a special Xmas package.
Thanks!

Melnq8

krwicke -

Can't help with a special Christmas dinner/hotel. We usually stay in apartments. Keep in mind that much of Germany shuts down around 2 pm on Christmas Eve and many businesses will stay closed for a few days depending on how the holiday falls.

Our favorite Christmas Day activity is winter hiking (often at a ski area).

One Christmas Day in Munich we watched the surfers (see below), wandered through the Englischer Garten (there was still a small Christmas Market open there on Christmas Day), visited a few churches and watched the Christmas Market vendors at Marienplatz pack up. Might sound weird, but it was a great day. We didn't go hungry - some restaurants re-opened on Christmas afternoon for limited hours.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/river...nich_n_5111268

PalenQ

for a cheaper winter place for snow if you go to Krakow - the gem of Poland - then a short train ride south takes you to Zakopane, a popular winter resort. But I think you can hit more easily some nice places in Bavaria or Salzkammergut but don't think snow is guaranteed in those places except highest mountains. Trains are great - for more on them check www.bahn/de/en for schedules and self-booking - but also check regional passes too - like the bargain Bavaria Pass which lets you ride unlimited regional trains and buses and city transports for a whole day for about 35 euro total for two people and slightly more for additional people. General info German trains - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com.

Macross

We already booked our apartment for Garmisch Christmas week. The one I wanted was booked and another I liked was booked so I went for it. We are going to go to the Zugspitze on Christmas day.