I am traveling solo to Germany at the end of the month to take in the Christmas Markets. My flight will land in Frankfurt. My initial thought is to travel that day to Strasbourg. Stay about a day and a half there and then take off for Nurenburg followed by Dresden for a day each and finally Berlin for a couple of days. This itinerary is by no means etched in stone. However, I am wondering if it might be too ambitious. What do you all think? Thanks!

Correction: Make that Nov. 30 thru Dec. 7.

Assuming you fly out of Frankfurt too, viamichelin.com calculates about 1,000 miles and 16 hours of driving. I personally wouldn't skip around that much on a 1 week vacation. At least cut out Strasbourg and save France for later.

If your primary purpose is to take in the Christmas markets then yes, I'd also say this itinerary is a little too ambitious. We've been to many of the markets here in the western part of Germany and usually the ones we've enjoyed the most have been the smaller ones. That's not to say don't go to the big city markets, but I mean that you can stay in a smaller area and maybe go to a few more that you wouldn't otherwise see. Last year we found the Michelstadt market and loved it and will return with visitors this year, but we also plan to go to Stuttgart and Strasbourg too. Have you considered something like travelling from Frankfurt to Michelstadt (about an hour southeast of Frankfurt), on to Rothenburg or Dinkelsbuhl, Stuttgart and then over to Strasbourg? I've also heard that the market in the little town of Ladenburg just north of Heidelburg is wonderful. That would put you in fairly close proximity for your flight out of Frankfurt. Wherever you choose to go, have a great trip!

Paul, I agree with David that it is too much too cover. You want to be able to spend time and enjoy each place you visit. I can't say that Berlin has the best in Christmas markets. Unless you are going just to visit. I would Keep a closer trip since you only have a week. Bad Wimpfen has a very good market on two weekend, a more traditional style, in a great historic town along the streets. Dresden has two markets, one on the main square and a mideval market in the historic section in one of the court yards. Many of th smaller town has markets, and sometimes special things that you wont find in the larger cities<BR>