Message: Hi all,

We have a lay over in Frankfurt for 3-4 days end of December (27-31). We've always wanted to visit Austria, so we thought we could make use of that time to got to Salzburg maybe. Question is would that be too hectic? (We have a 6-yr old and almost 1-yr old.) Is that time better spent visiting areas in Germany? The region of Bavaria looks interesting, any thoughts?
Any advice on places to visit in Austria and Germany would be great!

Also, we are vegetarians, would be difficult to find vegetarian food in Germany and Austria?

Thanks very much.
Cathy

Bavaria, and particularly Munich, would be wonderful in December. Some of the Christmas markets will still be open, and your children would love looking at all the lovely toys.

First of all, your "almost one-year-old" isn't going to know if s/he is in Austria or on the moon, much less enjoy all those toys....funny I never saw many toys at the Christmas markets..more like straw ornaments and the same ones at market after market...

If you've always wanted to visit Austra then I suggest you do so; otherwise stick to Munich and perhaps the area around Neuschwanstein and the Linderhof which I think your 6 year old would probably appreciate more.

Too hectic? That's hard to answer. You can be in either area in a few hours by rail or by car. Depends on who much you want to see and do I suppose.

sharan1rao:
I can address the vegetarian part!
I have travelled three times to Germany and Switzerland with a vegetarian friend.
Every restaurant or cafe posts its menu outside, so with just a little extra comparing, we had no trouble find vegetarian delights for Laurie and sausage for me! (I DO draw the line at veal however).
Italian dishes are big (frquently saw risotto or spaghetti), salads are almost always available, topped with cheese or egg, and a grand variety of potato and cheese dishes await you as well.

I don't know how your kids are with travelling long distance. Frankfurt isn't particularly close to Salzburg. According to mappy.com, it is over 330miles. Either driving or taking a train will take over 5hours.

Munich is somewhat closer, 244 miles, and would take 3.5 to 4hrs to get there.

you could do a couple of things...you could either drive or take a train to munich and stay in this lovely city...from there you could easily go to salzburg dor a long day trip..and then back to frankfurt...

i would however do the following:

i would go to rothenburg o.b. tauber and stay there...it has a real old world charm, like in certain austrian towns....it is about 1 1/2 hours by car from frankfurt...

i use the klingetor B&B just outside the town...lovely family owned place...i was there last december and it was lovely...
www.hotel-klingentor.de
they have a restaurant and i am sure would prepare veggie stuff for you...

from there you could visit nuremburg and other lovely german places...

this december i am returning to germany again and will spend some time along the moselle river...a great place for 3 days...only a short drive from frankfurt..

I think Bavaria would be your best bet. Christmas in Germany is awesome (I live here), and there are Christmas Markts all over Bavaria in December.

Neuschwanstein Castle is beautiful (Disney modeled its castle after it), and is right in the middle of the Alps. There is also the "Romantic Road" - google it, and tons of information will come up.

As for Vegetarian food - I'm also a vegetarian and while most restaurants offer some vegetarian fare, it's usually a salad or vegetable plate - nothing exciting.

Good Luck and have fun!

Re: Christmas Markets. They will be over by the time you arrive (Dec 27) so you'll need to base your travels on other things.

I second the Bavaria area - Rothenburg is not too far and Dinkelsbuhl (sp) was as much fun. I've also enjoyed Bamberg and Munich.