Hello!

My boyfriend and I will be flying in and out of Zurich from 11/21-11/30. I've been reading up a bit and have learned that this may not be the best time of year due to certain areas being closed and unpredictable weather, but with our jobs our options were limited. I was thinking of planning a multi-city trip to take advantage of being near so many great places but don't quite know where to start.

We would love to see some of the beauty of the landscape in the area but would also like to get to a city or two.

We both enjoy nature, culture, history, and food. Given the time of year we'll be there and length of stay, can anyone make any itinerary suggestions? One option that came to mind would be to fly from Zurich on day 1 to Prague or Vienna, stay for a few days and go to Munich by train, stay for a few days in Munich and then finish the trip in Zurich/Lucerne. Does this sound like a good trip? I've also thought about going North towards the Netherlands/Belgium or South into Italy. Are there other options that might be better.

Side note: I like the idea of sticking to public transit if possible, but could rent a car if that is highly recommended. Can anyone speak on this?

Neither of us have ever been to this part of Europe so we are very open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance!

>>We would love to see some of the beauty of the landscape in the area<<

Late November there isn't a lot of 'beauty in the landscape' in a lot of places. But you can still have a lovely trip. Is your whole trip Nov 21-30 (including flights)? If so you have 7.5 free days. You can get everywhere you want by public transport but with so little time you need to focus on one or two locations/areas. Right now you are sort of all over the place thinking about - possibilities in Switzerland, CZ, Austria, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium . . . No one can really pick the best places for you - and Zurich is a major hub so you could easily get to any of those areas by train or plane. Do you have any guidebooks?

I have a pretty basic one. Any recommendations?

I am about to give up, error report came up and lost my reply.

Have you booked? If not fly into Zurich and out of Munich or Frankfurt. Christmas markets will be on so google where and explore some of those in the evening. Lots of fun and always very colorful. Munich has a great one but hotels will book so get one early. I would take train, 1.5 hours after 9 am for cheaper ticket to Garmisch and take the cog train to the top of the Zugspitze. Great views, snow, dining and might have the platform open that you walk across into Austria. Christmas market there also. You can take the train to Austria easy from there or from Munich to Salzburg.

Rick Steves has books on the area or research online for just about anything. Lonely Planet and DK eyewitness are good because of the maps. I hate packing them.
Maninseat61 is best for trains and now there is the flix bus in that area for really cheap transportation.

Christmas markets will be starting up around that time. Munich has a great one but also many people so book hotels early. Did you book tickets? You could do an open jaw, fly into Zurich and out of Munich or Frankfurt. While in Munich you could take the train to Salzburg for the day or go south about 1.5 hours on the train to Garmisch and take the cogtrain to top of the Zugspitze. You will get the most beautiful views and snow. If open you can walk across a platform into Austria. Take train after 9 am for best price.

Christmas Markets 2018 - Christmas Markets directory Europe

This is the first post I typed and now the second one is gone. Crazy...Can't delete the second but now the first is up.

I'd be inclined to go to Strasbourg, which has plenty to see if the weather is bad. Day trip to Colmar, perhaps an overnight in Nancy or Baden-Baden. Use trains - see https://www.seat61.com/index.html

thursdaysd, good choice. I think they have a Christmas market also. We are back and forth on going to Germany or England for my Nov birthday. I don't mind traveling in Nov at all. Thanks for the correct link. I am having so much trouble with anything loading on fodors lately. I gave up on the laptop.

Turns out all four of those places have Christmas markets, Strasbourg's is the oldest in France.

I like the idea of sticking to public transit if possible, but could rent a car if that is highly recommended. Can anyone speak on this?>

Well for cities like you are contemplating trains for sure - meandering countryside cars but at that time of year I'd stick to cities - for lots on trains check www.seat61.com; BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com.

I'd consider maybe flying Zurich to Rome for better weather and great city and working way north via Florence to Zurich. Again trains would be best.