Strasbourg vs Colmar hotels for Christmas Markets?

Colmar has several Christmas Markets and boasts "Best in France" (in the opinion of the Colmar Tourist Board). I have the feeling you might be Christmas Marketed out by the time you get there.

I spent a day at the Strasbourg markets (including plenty of time for a cathedral visit), a day at the Colmar markets. Colmar is beautiful then, every shop facade had wonderful, imaginative decorations, plus the ones in the shop windows. The hotel is very central and you'll be able to walk everywhere. Strasbourg is bigger and more spread out. I liked the French markets much better than the German ones. There are other Alsacian villages that have beautiful markets and decorations, closer to Colmar than Strasbourg.

Now im wondering if we should skip Stuttgart and add another day to the Alsace?

I was all settled on staying in Strasbourg and day tripping to Colmar.....We could stay one night in Colmar and two in Strasbourg and skip Stuttgart. Sigh.

I can't imagine why you'd have to split your time between Colmar and Strasbourg moving from one hotel to another for one night. They're only 1/2 hr apart on the train - stay in one and visit the other, no need to pack up and move. Stay at whichever hotel appeals to you more.

I loved both Colmar and Strausbourg. My advice is not to visit Christmas market in Colmar on a Saturday. Wall to wall people and not very enjoyable. I would like to go back to both these places.

I rented an apartment in Colmar last spring. it was right in the historic part which has a patio on the roof and you view the roof of the Dominican church and the tower of the St. Martins. The rooms were wonderful, with kitchens and use of washing machines. Very reasonably priced. Stay in Colmar, you will love it. PS the rooms are almost above a Boulagerie that has Almond Croissants to die for! Contact me for more info if interested!

I just realized you are going past Stuttgart! You absolutely should spend a night in Stuttgart do see the medieval market in nearby Esslingen. The Stuttgart market is also very nice.

Instead of doing extra nights post-tour, why not do them pre-tour, so you don't have to backtrack. If you can't fly into Strasbourg, maybe Stuttgart. Even Frankfurt is an option, you can take the train (1 or 2 connections) or the Lufthansa shuttle bus. Either will take about 2.5 hours. Fly home from Vienna.

@Chani, I can't do pre-tour, I'm afraid. Our tour starts on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and unfortunately we both have to work Thanksgiving day. If we fly our friday, that puts us in Munich on Saturday. I think we will just "chill" in Munich until our tour starts on Sunday. I really planned us up last trip and I think an unplanned day will make hubby happy!