What to do beside the Christmas Markets in Germany?
 

Hello, our initial Christmas Market trip was 20 days; we've had to cut it back to 10-11 for a number of reasons but here is the current version:
12/12 - arrive Frankfurt and drive to Wurzburg 2 nights
12/14 - leave Wurzburg and drive to Nurenberg 2 nights
12/16 - leave Nuremberg and drive to Rothenburg 3 nights
12/19 - leave Rothenburg and drive to Heidelberg (we have friends here we will be seeing) 1 night
12/20 - leave Heidelberg and drive to FRA - stay near airport
12/21 - depart Frankfurt

Beside the markets, which are the principle reason for our trip, what else should we be doing? I have the feeling that 1-1.5 days in a market might be enough/city. The Christmas Museum and Night walk in Rothenburg are on the plan, we've spent time already in Heidelburg but I want to tour the Castle again. I'm wondering if there are scheduled concerts during the holidays at some of the churches or cathedrals?? We had a wonderful tour of the presepe in Rome two years ago - is there something similar that is a German tradition? Air is not booked yet so we can add a day on either end of the trip; just need to be back in the States by the 23rd.

Many thanks!

The cathedral choir in Regensburg does concerts, and they are well worth attending--even though you will be very cold. Dress for it.

Thanks - I'm not one to hop around this much; we usually try to do at least 5 days in one place but with a circular route, we can at least avoid a lot of backtracking to and from one central location. At least that was the idea. Its just the two of us, early 60's, 12th trip to Europe, etc.

Sounds like fun!!! Have a great time. We love Rothenburg, Wurzburg and Heidelberg. Can't imagine how fun it would be during Christmas Market time!

In each city, anything indoors are available for visit.
I presume you know it usually snows in Germany in winter. While they are very good at cleaning up streets quickly even in the country, it is not instant. During our trip to German Christmas markets, it snowed about every other day and two days had blizzard like hours during the day.

Coming from Chicago, snow is no biggie!

"What to do beside the Christmas Markets...?

Würzburg and Nuremberg are top destinations year-round. You should read up and see what interests you:

W'burg "must-sees" include the UNESCO World-Heritage-designated Residenz: http://www.wuerzburg.de/en/visitors/...ees/index.html

W'burg museums and galleries: http://www.wuerzburg.de/en/visitors/museums/index.html

Nuremberg sights: http://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/sig...-interest.html

"12/16 - leave Nuremberg and drive to Rothenburg 3 nights"

I will predict that you will be very "done" with Rothenburg after one day - it's a small place. I would instead consider a longer stay in Würzburg and/or Nuremberg with a day trip to Bamberg from either; Bamberg's old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as well. It's well known for its brewery-restaurants and "smoke beer."

http://us.hellomagazine.com/imagenes...137_0007-a.jpg

Regensburg is also a good day trip.

If you don't wish to drive, day trips to Bamberg and Regensburg can be done very cheaply by train using local area day passes (€18 - €28 per couple round trip,depending on the trip.)

http://www.hotelvictoria.de/en/contact/contact.html

Great hotel right inside the city wall.

To clarify a bit - we'll leave Nuremburg late in the day and drive to Rothenburg so there will be only 2 full days there. Thinking one day of the market and one day of 'other'.

There are plenty of things to occupy your other day: walk the wall, visit the Christmas Store, Stroll the Castle park at the far end of town, view the famous Holy Cross altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider (incredibly detailed), Medieval Crime Museum, Nightwatchman's tour...just a few ideas. The early mornings and late afternoon/evenings are the best time...all the day trippers have left.

I love walking the city walls but might be a bit cold. We always do a wine tasting, be in the city square at dusk for entertainment. I like walking around and buying tea at the Eilles tea shop.

In Rothenburg, I like the Stadtmuseum (city museum) that gets fewer visitors and no press.

In Würzburg, I really like the Mainfränkisches Museum in the Marienberg Festung (Castle). Also great views of the city from the castle. My wife prefers a visit to the Archbishops Residenz in town.

Regensburg already mentioned is my favorite town and Christmas Market combination.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-...5028020_t5NQGm

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-...5030947_4WtqMc

My only comment would be to stay in the city of Frankfurt rather than out at the airport. You are missing one of the very historic cities of Germany. Besides, if you are tired of Christmas markets, they have a plethora of museums to match almost any interest.

Why would you pay more money to stay at an airport hotel when you could be in the city, surrounded by great restaurants and a chance to do some sightseeing? Trains to the airport from downtown Frankfurt take between 11-15 min. depending on where you get on the train and there is a train every 15 min. beginning at 04:15 in the morning.

We'll stay at the frankfurt airport as we'll be driving from Heidelburg that evening quite late and have a morning flight out. Have spent considerable time in Frankfurt while DH was working near there for 5 years.

I've found a few other options for 'non market' things to do. If anyone has already done these and can comment, excellent!:
Nuremburg Trials Museum
Nuremburg Toy Museum
Nuremburg WW2 Art Bunker
Regengsburg Choir Concert (if scheduled)
Rothenburg Christmas Museum
Rothenburg Night Watchman tour
Rothenburg Cathedral concert (if scheduled)
Wurzburg Residenz tour
Wurzburg Hofkirche

As usual, we probably have more on the list than time will permit. However, this is not going to be a vacation, its a TRIP!

I have done the night watchmen tour. Very fun. Last May I noticed there were two tours going, one in English and one in German in Rothenburg. The square usually has entertainment going on at dusk but not sure since that is where the market will be.
My husband did the Nuremburg War stuff and said it was very good. We stayed at the Victoria hotel there.

http://tourismus.nuernberg.de/en/seh...uererhaus.html

I love his art work. The cathedral that was bombed and rebuilt is beautiful. It is interesting to see what was saved.

We have done the Christmas markets numerous times. We finally started staying in Heidelberg on our last night and then just driving to the Frankfurt airport as it is an easy drive and Heidelberg beats an airport hotel.