Christmas in Germany
 

We are considering a trip to Germany for Christmas. This will be my first trip to Europe; my husband was stationed there in 1960. We will be in the Ulm area. What kind of weather should we expect? I have no idea what type of clothing to take. I know from other post to take good walking shoes but will I need snow boots? We live in the Pacific Nothwest where we rarely get snow and temperature don't usually get much below freezing.I expect most of our time will be spent indoors except for shopping the Christmas markets and maybe seeing some of the castles. Thanks for any suggestions!

I was also stationed in Germany in the 60’s. You certainly could get snow and it can be quite cold. Definitely take warm clothes with you.

A couple of thoughts (I spent Christmas in Germany a few years ago when I was working there):<BR><BR>The Christmas Markets don't generally continue over the Christmas/New Year holiday - some of them are just for part of December, and others will just continue to Christmas Eve. Better check the German tourism websites for the dates of those in your area.<BR><BR>Also, Christmas tends to be a time that Germans spend with their families - some tourist places may be closed. But I expect there are hotels which specialise in "Christmas packages" - there certainly are in the UK.

I've spent a good number of hours at the Christmas markets - mostly drinking gluhwein. As the other poster said, they usually close just before Christmas. It can be very cold at night so bring warm clothes, but I wouldn't carry big snow boots. My normal, black, sensible walking/general purpose shoes were fine with a second pair of socks. Germans know snow removal on the city streets and sidewalks! Have fun.

It could snow, but if you are in a city you will most likely just get drizzle or rain. It is cold, though. You should pack clothes you can layer and include your sweaters and a scarf, hat, mittens, winter coat, etc. If you have good leather winter shoes which you can waterproof, you most probably won't need snow boots.

I agree with all the prior posts. I've spent two pre-Christmas seasons (fisrt two weeks of Dec) in Bavaria and it was bitterly cold there in the evenings. The Christmas Markets were fun, particularly in the smaller towns. In the larger towns the stuff just seemed to be hauled out of the local department stores and put on display in firecracker stand huts.<BR><BR>My advice: go with the mulled wine WITHOUT the schnapps.<BR><BR>Steve

We have done 7 Christmas trips to Germany but usually late November, early December.<BR><BR>Some years we lucked out and had sunny, chilly days. Other years...COOOOOLLLD!<BR><BR>The one thing that really works for me is a good pair of long johns. On the cold days you wear them, otherwise leave em in the hotel room. A good hat is also important. I also take one long coat with me to protect my backside and it has a hood to pull up in case of rain.<BR><BR>We always had a great time on the trips regardless of weather...that's why we did it 7 times. But we always went earlier than you are going. You can find web sites for Germany that will list the opening days of all the Christmas Markets and the closing days. You need to find that before you go.<BR><BR>GLUWEIN.....Yep!

Thanks everyone. If we go we will arrive about Dec.11 and be there thru Christmas and New years. We will be staying with my husband's son and his family.

As others mentioned, snow boots should not be necessary. Do waterproof/weatherproof your shoes beforehand (just the spray you can buy in most shoe departments works fine). I lived in Germany for about 2 1/2 years, but in the Rheinland-Pfalz area. The winters there were akin to winters in the Midwestern U.S. We lucked out and did not have a lot of snow either winter, but there were several nippy days. Long johns would work - you might want to try the ones made of silk or Cuddl Duds. They are lighter and will pack "smaller" than regular long johns, but will keep you just as warm. <BR>Have a wonderful trip! I can't wait to go back.

Ulm is a really "windy city" and situated on the Swabian Alb (yes, with a b) We go cross-country skiing near there between Christmas and Easter - so I recommend stout walking shoes, warm socks and something to keep your ears warm.

Mamuk--If you are staying with family, why wouldn't you just ask them what weather to expect and what to take...seems they would have more specific information to offer than some of the posters here who haven't been there in years or haven't been exactly where you're going and don't know the places you plan on travelling and blah, blah, blah....

Also, if you will be there for a few weeks, you will have no problem buying suitable snow boots if you find you need them. I love German shoe shops! (but they don't all accept credit cards)

Mamuk: Here's a website on the Christmas market in Ulm:<BR><BR>http://www.weihnachtsmarkt.ulm.de/eallgemein.htm

Mamuk, unless you're stayin with a family, be prepared for a "Christmas vaccuum".<BR>By lunchtime on Christmas Eve everything will have wound down until the day after Boxing Day.<BR>No shops, museums, exhibitions. It's a great time for serious walking or driving, but nothing else. Be warned!