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Itinerary Thoughts or Suggestions? (Salzburg, Innsbruck, Fussen, Heidelberg in December)

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So my wife and I (32 years old) will be traveling to Austria and Germany for Christmas and the new year this December into January, and I have our lodging booked and dates in place, but wanted to make sure it all checks out with those who may have been here this time of year. I'd also love to hear any suggestions of things to add or take away. We will have a rental car for our stay in Salzburg, fyi.

Dec. 23, arrival in Salzburg. Staying until Dec. 27, so we'll be there on xmas eve and day. Checking out the christkindlmarkts as it is their last full day to operate in the area. Staying in the old town in an apartment right by Mozart's birth house.

Xmas Eve: Potentially making a day trip to walk around Hallstatt. I know it is quiet on this particular day there, but would anyone suggest going here for some nature walking or discourage it? We could also potentially use this day to either stay in Salzburg walking around the town instead. We will have dinner reservations at one of the restaurants that offers christmas eve dinners.

Xmas Day: Ice skating in Salzburg in the morning, then St. Gilgen for showshoeing/winter hiking in the area. I know there are a few things open in the region on this day.

Dec. 26: Day trip to Berchtesgaden for maybe a boat ride on the lake and other winter activities. Open for suggestions here :)

Dec. 27: Departing salzburg by train to Innsbruck. Staying 2 nights in Innsbruck. Exploring the town on our first day here. Maybe finding a good biergarten or taking a cable car up a mountain for views

Dec. 28 - Day trip to Vipiteno by bus, then back to Innsbruck for beer and shopping, perhaps.

Dec. 29: Departing Innsbruck by train to Garmisch. Picking up rental car in Garmisch and driving to Fussen. Staying right at the foot of Neuschwanstein in a hotel, for easy access to the hiking trails around without having to park near the castle. Perhaps exploring the town of Fussen in the evening.

Dec. 30: Departing Fussen in the rental car for Heidelberg. Staying in Heidelberg in an apartment for 2 nights. First day there exploring the town, doing the philosophers path, day 2 enjoying New Years Eve festivities.

Dec. 31: See above

Jan. 1: Departing back home to USA from Frankfurt - taking the train from Heidelberg to the airport early in the morning.

Any thoughts on the itinerary much appreciated!

Posted by
5697 posts

We were in Salzburg for Christmas 2014 and then on to Innsbruck for two days after. You might want to stock up on snack food at a SparMart on the 23rd/24th since food markets close early on the 24th and restaurants are limited on the 25th. We had a nice Austrian meal at the Alter Fuchs (Old Fox) but they didn't announce they would be open on Christmas until almost the day before, so we were prepared if we had to exist on hearty hotel breakfast plus cheese and crackers and candy bars.

Don't miss the gluhwein at the evening markets!

Posted by
8353 posts

When in Innsbruck, we usually eat and drink on Innrain Strasse, a block before you get to the University of Innsbruck--at Gasthaus Innrain. It's in a block where the street splits.

When I was going to the University of Innsbruck in 1970, we'd drink beer in their outside beer garden every afternoon, all afternoon. It was Café Innrain then--but the name's been changed.
It's a shame you're going over Christmas and not skiing. I skied once at Axamer Lizum, and the view from the top of the mountain was absolutely incredible. It was pretty difficult skiing, and the conditions were icy that time of year.
Good luck on your weather.

Posted by
3003 posts

Hi,

I don't understand... You'll have a rental car in Salzburg, but take the train to Innsbruck? Then get another car in Garmisch for Fuessen and Heidelberg? Do you know you can pick up a rental car in Freilassing, Germany, which is basically a suburb of Salzburg? This way you can have the car for the entire trip and pick up in Germany and return in Germany.

If you have a clear day in Innsbruck, I'd probably do the Nordkettenbahn funicular/cable car trip. Up until the first week in January, Innsbruck will have one Christmas market open and Sterzing/Vipitenos's Christmas market stays open until the first week of January. Nearby, maybe 20 minutes away from Sterzing/Vipiteno is the old town of Brixen/Bressanone, which also has their Christmas markets open until early January.

We have our Christmas market trip photos (2010 and 2013) of all these at:
www.flickr.com/photos/pjbassplyr/sets

Paul

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