Anyone have any suggestions for a weekend based on experience?

The travel company consists of two adults and two young children.

I've been to the Christmas markets in, Amsterdam, Munich, Prague, Slazburg, Berlin.

My favorite has to be Munich or Salzburg, both were large yet it felt like everyone knew each other. It was a very magical time for me.

I have been twice to Germany/Prague/Austria at Christmas time, attending the markets at Aschaffenburg, Munich (2 markets), Regensburg (3 markets) and Prague.

If you are interested in the markets, I don't think you can beat Bavaria. Depending on how long your weekend is, you might be able to visit more than one city/town, with a short hop/daytrip by train. You really can see what there is to see of a city's Christmas markets in a day (or half day). You could combine two cities like Munich and Salzburg, or a city with a smaller town.

Many, if not most, of the markets in Germany have little rides and activities for young children.

Prague itself is a fun destination, but I wouldn't say that the Christmas market is as good as those that I've seen in Germany. While Prague's markets used to have complete junk (cheap mass produced imported souvenirs), an effort was made last year to upgrade the market's offerings with locally produced crafts. It was much better in 2005, but I think that it isn't all that special.

Here's a site that is a good place to start for information about particular markets: http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk

I went to several in Germany December 2005 as well as Salzburg. I thought Munich's was the best.

The market in Vienna is large and offers performances as well as baked goods, ornaments, wood carvings, and much else. The spirit there was like a community party--so that would be my choice, especially with young children.

There is nothing, nothing, to compare to the Christmas markets in Germany-nothing so magical, so special-go there.