My husband and I are considering taking a trip over the Christmas holiday to Germany. Any suggestions on what city to go to? Will anything be open during this time?

Check the responses to recommendations for driving trip in Germany. It is essentially the same question you are asking.

Jennifer, if you go just before Christmas, you can enjoy some great Christmas markets. Many towns and cities have them and although I haven't seen all of them, Nurenburg, Rothenburg and even Frankfurt's bring back great memories. <BR> <BR>Everything would be open, but places will close up early on December 24th and the 25th and 26th are holidays. <BR> <BR>Suggest you read the post that Julie mentions, also. Being in Germany is a magical time around Christmas.

See my comments in the driving trip question. Basically I believe you would enjoy Bavaria during this time. The area around Garmisch is one to explore and the the area around Berchtesgaden is another. <BR> <BR>If you fly into Frankfurt you may also want to explore Heidelberg and Rothenburg on the way south to Bavaria. Both are fun cities and will be decorated for Christmas. <BR> <BR>The famous Christmas markets will open this year on November 30th. Nuremburg has a website with details on theirs as does Rothenburg for the town. You may want to search for those for good info to plan your trip.

Thank you for the advice....my husband still needs convincing!?. I'm sold however and have found some fantastic deals flying into Frankfurt. I checked out Julie's driving trip and think I can use it to motivate him. My german-catholic husband enjoys history, beer and architecture....should be an easy sell right?? HELP

Jennifer, I would certainly suggest that you email Wes Fowler and get some info from him. He is without a doubt, one of the best and his attention to detail will give you good directions, great suggestions and other tidbits that will make it easier and more enjoyable. <BR> <BR>Frankfurt airport is located just south of the city at a major autobahn intersection ('Frankfurter Kreuz'), you can head directly to wherever you want. Heidelburg is just 40 minutes south along A5 or Rothenburg is east along A3, then A7, taking about 1 1/2 hours or more. Both are easy to find. <BR> <BR>Go to http://www.rothery.org.uk/driveregs/...ignslistnf.htm for info on driving in Germany and Europe. Remember, on the autobahn: Slower traffic keeps right and always signal your intentions; don't pass on the right; don't run out of gas, you could get fined; if you car breaks down, put out your warning triangle (required to have in cars, rentals have them) and walk over to the roadside, you will see white posts with black arrows, follow the arrow and you will come to an emergency phone, pick it up and say: 'auto kaput!', someone from the German auto club will come out to assist you. It's easy and just be careful with your signs. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Jennifer, we spent several Christmases in Rothenburg while we lived in Germany. It is a wonderful experience. Once the Christmas market closes, the tourists leave the town to the residents and it becomes very peaceful. The nightwatchman continues his rounds, stopping in the restaurants and gasthauses, choirs sing on the steps of the city hall by in the evenings, and the mail is delivered in a horse-drawn yellow Bundespost coach with packages and a tree on the roof. St Jakob's church holds concerts by candlelight... one year, medieval music played on medieval instruments... and the church bells on Christmas morning are just glorious. We stayed at Reichs Kuchenmeister. One day when we returned from walking around the town, the family that runs the hotel had left us (the the very few other guests) a little tray of fresh oranges, nuts, lebkuchen, and a small bottle of Franconian wine along with a Christmas card from them. On Christmas eve, the hotel restaurant closes to all but their guests and the family; we were able to share with them a traditional German Christmas dinner - roast goose, potato dumplings, red cabbage. We turned in early and when we awoke in the morning, it had snowed during the night, dusting the entire city with white and quiet. You will never see Rothenburg like this at any other time...

For Jennifer