Asking for itinerary sugestions for winter trip

Posted by jorgelramirez45 (Costa Rica) on 12/26/23 12:06 AM

Hello, I'm new here and I want to do my very first travel to Europe. Due to work I am able to travel during the winter season (hopefuly next winter, december 2024). As a first time traveler to Europe I can´t decide where to go because every country is very appealing to me.
But as is a winter travel I´m really curious about Christmass Markets in Germany, and the Bavaria region overall.

Can you visit some cities like Amsterdam and Bruges in the same 2 week itinerary that includes some cities in Bavaria like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Nuremberg, Munich and Bertchtesgaden (or drop them and explore other like Füssen, Salzburg, Regensburg)?

Thank you in advance. Merry Christmass

Posted by ChinaLake67

NorthCarolina

12/26/23 12:53 AM

1076 posts

Less is more when it comes to Europe and the Christmas Markets. It takes a LONG time to change towns. Also, know there are no Xmas Markets in Amsterdam and the one in Bruges is TINY - but those towns are GREAT.

Personally, I'd fly into Vienna - amazing town with MANY Xmas Markets. Make your way down the Danube. Salzburg, Regensburg, Nuremburg, and fly home from Munich. You can add more places, but that adds so much time and takes away precious time from other amazing places. The above towns are amazing and have some of our favorite Xmas Markets. You can even take a day trip from Nuremberg to Rothenburg and Regensburg -- or you can do a day trip to Regensburg and Salzburg from Munich. I personally think those towns need more than a day, but it's doable.

You could also do a Xmas Market River Cruise for one week and do another week on your own. So many ways to do this trip.

Know hotels close to the markets fill up VERY quick. We often book a year out. We never rent a car. The train is super easy

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

12/26/23 02:08 AM

5647 posts

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Christmas+markets&utf8=%E2%9C%93

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Germany+Christmas+markets&utf8=%E2%9C%93

Lots of info already posted here. These are Searches from this Forum. Also check Facebook and perhaps join the various Christmas markets group there.

Have fun planning.

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

12/26/23 02:21 AM

3274 posts

Dress warm and fly into Munich or Amsterdam and out the other. Berchtesgaden and Füssen are best visited during the warmer months if you’re not skiing. Besides, you don’t have time to see everything you mentioned in two weeks.
You can take a direct train from Munich to Salzburg for the day (2h). When you’re ready to leave Munich rent a car and drive the Romantic Road and sleep in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Nuremburg. Drop off your car in Nuremburg and take a direct train to Frankfurt airport and fly nonstop to Brussels (2h 30m). There are direct trains between Brussels airport and Brugges (1h 30m). You can take a direct train from Bruges to Amsterdam but must transfer in Brussels (3h).