After posting several questions to this forum, reading all the answers, and doing lots of internet research.....I think I finally have most of my plans in place for our trip to Germany at Christmas - me, my husband, and 2 boys (12, 13). I would appreciate any suggestions/comments!

Monday, Dec 19 - Wednesday, Dec 21
Fly into Frankfurt and then take the Lufthansa shuttle to Heidelberg, arriving late morning.

Staying in a quad room at the Hollander Hof.

We have 2-1/2 days and we plan on spending VERY leisurely time cruising the Christmas Markets, strolling around town, taking the funicular to the Schloss castle. Also want to go to the Palitinate museum.

We live in a predominantly Muslim country -so experiencing Christmas-y things is especially fun for us.

Thursday, Dec 22 - Saturday, Dec 24
Leave late-morning on the 22nd, taking the train (well, several) to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. I know we have to change a couple of times, but we don't want to rent a car. Arrive early-afternoon.

Staying in 2 double rooms at the Burghotel.

We have 2-1/2 days to cruise the Christmas markets (can't get enough of them!) and look around town. The Medieval Criminal Museum and Night Watchman's Tour are must-dos. I also want to go to the German Christmas Museum. Will have a Christmas Eve dinner at a nice restaurant (any suggestions??).

Sunday, Dec 25 - Wednesday, Dec 28
Take train from Roth. to Munich, arriving mid-afternoon.

Still need to finalize hotel. Looking at either the Hotel Concorde or the Advokat. Will need 2 rooms. Want someplace close to the main squares and close to lots of restaurants and pubs.

On Monday, Dec 26 - plan to do the full day Panarama Tour to Neurschwanstein and Linderhof Castles.

Dec 27, 28 - Perhaps a bus tour of the city, seeing the Glockenspiel at the Neus Rathaus and climbing to the top, visiting the Residenz, the Deutsches Museum, and the ZAM (boys want to see the Chamber Pot museum). Will also fit in the Alte Pinakothek - need to get in some culture to offset the chamber pots!

Thursday, Dec 29
Fly home.

Have I missed anything?

We don't like to cram in too much - taking it easy, stopping for a glass of wine (or beer - since we're in Germany), going through shops, etc.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

What a great time to visit Germany! Your plan sounds nice and leisurely, I have not been there yet (we plan to visit some of the same places in May), but I understand from a friend that many shops, etc. close right after Christmas for several days. Have you checked tourist spots, hotels, restaurants, etc. that they will be open?

Assuming I can go by the information on web sites, most of the museums are closed Christmas Day, and close early on Christmas Eve. Most of the tours are "closed" Christmas Day. Most things (tourist stuff) seem to be back and running by the 26th and don't close again until New Year's. I realize some of the shops will probably be closed, but we will be in Munich and mainly want to go to museums. I will probably have maxed out the credit card by then anyway!

That is why I chose to use Christmas Day as a travel day - we'll still have a little time in each city, be together as a family, and have a fun adventure on German trains. The nice thing about having older kids is their flexibility. We will have a big dinner and open presents before we leave for Germany and will have a nice dinner (and a few more presents) in Rothenburg Christmas Eve. And I will make sure I have the dinner reservations done in advance - don't want to be stuck without anywhere to eat.

Looking forward to the mulled wine!

If you like the Christmas markets you might want to push the schedule ahead so you arrive in Munich before they close on Christmas eve. Munich has a hugh market at Marienplatz, a creche market about a block away and several others in various parts of the city. As you mentionsed. Christmas day will be very quiet with most things closed for the day.

"a huge market"

I would cut one day off of Heidelberg and add it onto Munich.

Thanks for the suggestions. I realize Munich has a lot to offer and I'm sure the Christmas market is fabulous, but I finally came up with this plan based on the following....

- the limitations we face for days we can fly in and out of Munich from home

- my husband hates to rush from one place to another - he likes to relax and settle in for 2 or 3 days

- our family's experience in Austria over the past few years - we LOVED Salzburg (and can't wait to go back) and only liked Vienna.

I know no plan is perfect - just trying to avoid any major glitches. Our October holiday (a Club Med in Sicily) was a disaster - and I need to make sure this one is better!

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Any thoughts on a restaurant in Rothenburg for Christmas Eve? HOw about the Hotel Concorde vs. the Advokat in Munich?

Your trip sounds great! We also are traveling to Munich, then on to Rothenburg, for the 1st weekend of their Christmas market, our trip is at the end of Nov, however. We too live in a Muslim country and are looking forward to some Christmas atmosphere. We are looking at the Hotel An der Oper, www.hotelanderoper.de. It is just off Maximilianstrasse, near Marienplatz. Have you seen anything on that particular hotel? Have a great trip.

I ruled out that one for some reason - can't remember why. There is one reference to it on tripadvisor from a couple of years ago. I may need to look at it again - the location is even better.

I trust you are aware that in Germany Dec 25 and Dec 26 are holidays.

I assumed most of the 24th, and all of the 25th, and 26th would involve closures. That is why I researched info on the web when making my plans and I have to assume that web site information is correct.

So, I chose the 25th as a travel day (the trains still run, don't they?) and the 26th as a day trip to Ludwig's castles (the web site says that tour is only closed on the 25th).

Does anyone know anything different?

I have jsut posted a question on this forumand no one seems to answer it has anyone been to salzburg in christmas? can you please give any suggestions on my question "Christmas in Salzburg" thanks

Opening times of Neuschwanstein Castle

April - September: 9 am - 6 pm
Cash desk open from 8 am - 5 pm

October -March: 10 am - 4 pm
Cash desk open from 9 am - 3 pm

Closed on the following days:
1.1., Shrove Tuesday, 24.12., 25.12., 31.12.

Very nice castle ,me and my hsuband went there three years ago. while you are there go to Hohenschwagau Castle where King Ludgwig was born which is just oppost neuschwanstein castle. Another very nice castle is Linderhof which was King Ludwig's as well