My husband, son and I are meeting our daughter in Italy, just outside Venice, for Christmas and New Years. She is stationed there with the Air Force. We will be there from Dec 19 to Jan 5th and want to travel to the following locations: Garmish (maybe skiing), Munich, Neuswanstein, Rothenberg, Ramstein, Mosel River, and maybe other locations in Switzerland/Austria/Italy. I am looking for advice on an itinerary and any advise on being in these locations during these winter holidays. Problems to avoid, things to do, etc. Any suggestions appreciated.

Visit the locations in Germany, especially Rothenburg (sp) and Munich, first, i.e. before Christmas, in order not to miss the Christmas markets which terminate on Dec 24.

Presumably, you will be staying near your daughter in Ramstein.

The Mosel river can be a weekend trip from there, by car.

Then, for a few day's longer trip you could drive to Rothenburg, perhaps either via Wuerzburg (my preference) or via Heidelberg and along the Neckar to the Autobahns A-6 and A-7. Afdter Rothenburg (note spelling!) go on the A-7 south to Fuessen From there on federal highways to Garmisch and autobahn to Munich (Chrsitkindl Market). Drop the car off in Munich and return by train to Ramstein. In Muncih, a car is just a nuisance.

Eventually, fly to Venice, and visit places like Verona, Padua from there by train.

If you will e-mail me, I will send you a list of websites for the Christmas markets in Germany.

Thank you for the suggestions. I haven't figured out how to email from this site yet. But I will definately follow your links. Any other suggestions about how to spend Christmas or New Years?

I spent Christmas 2006 with my Air Force sister in Germany. Berlin had great Christmas Markets but Heidelberg was terrible. If you're at Ramstein, go to Strasbourg, France. It's less than 2 hours and has the most enchanting markets. We spent the night and had a great time. I've also heard good things about Colmar (south of SB). We also enjoyed the Christmas Markets in Lux City (1 1/2 hrs) from Ramstein.

Are you going by rail? In winter i'd consider it. If so there are some good sources for you: www.ricksteves.com has good tips on rail travel and passes and www.budgeteuropetravel.com to get the free and excellent European Planning & Rail guide that has sections on train travel to each country.
I loved the Christmas markets the two times i've been to Germany in December - Frankfurt is as fine as any or must be but every town i was in had one and all were fun. Lots of locals there sipping Gluhwein - hot spicy wine or beer - kind of a socializing place for folks after work - should not be super cold.

Ask your daughter to do some research to confirm, but I think you should expect everything to be completely shut down on Christmas Day, and possibly Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. We think we're used to a "Christmas holiday" in North America, but planes, trains, subways and buses still operate. They certainly didn't in London the year I lived there, and I expect it's the same in Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

No i don't believe it is like UK where most if not all except Eurostar trains shut Dec 25 and only a limited number run on 26th

On Continent i believe they run a fairly good schedule on 12/25 and normal on 12/26

At least it's so in France where i've spent several Christmases in a house overlooking a main rail line and things seem to move on Christmas Day.

If you go by car or train from Venice to Bavaria, don´t do skiing in Garmisch. Garmisch is already on the northern edge of the alpes, since you are driving through the higher parts of the Alpes anyway, go skiing there. Better resorts, better snow conditions. Sölden, Hochgurgl/Obergurgl, the Zillertal are better options on the way.

You can't really email from this site. You'd have to send from your own email address. Is your daughter stationed at Ramstein or at Aviano? I'm assuming Ramstein and she's meeting you in Venice and then you're going to travel from there?

If you can get reservations at the Edelweiss Lodge in Garmisch, have her do it - it's a wonderful resort. Can't say anything about the skiing as we didn't go.

What method of transportation are you planning to use for the most part? Train? Plane? Automobile?

There are so many Christmas Markets and most of them are really cute. I respectfully disagree with the poster who said the Heidelberg one was terrible. I actually think it's one of the better ones, because it's spread out over town and therefore you're not trying to look at a booth from 10 feet away. Overall, the goods are very similar from market to market with the food varying slightly by region.

I hope you have a fantastic time.