Christmas markets/holiday season -- N. Germany; Copenhagen; Tallinn

Not a bad plan at all, but I think it would be a mistake to not add a stop in Stockholm between Copenhagen and Tallinn.

You say you are doing 5 nights in Hannover, then 5 in Hamburg, but I think you are only doing one night in Hamburg based on the dates you mention. Unless you have something specific in Hannover, I would say that would be a mistake. Hamburg is a way bigger and far more interesting city than Hannover, so for regular travel it's the better choice (daytime things to see). If your goal is markets, it is a better jumping off point if you want to visit markets in Lübeck or Bremen or Lüneburg. So my suggestion would be to do one night in Hannover and the rest in Hamburg rather than the other way around. It gives you a lot more options.

Well, gee, that's an embarrassing mistake! I wondered how I was fitting so much in!! Well, like I said, "back of envelope." So, let's try this again, and I'll combine those into a week

Nov. 27 -- Fly USA to Frankfurt

Nov. 28 -- Land in Frankfurt, 2 nights in Mainz; opening night of Mainz Christmas market (this is a repeat with sentimental attachments for us)

Nov. 30 -- 3 hr ICE train to Hannover; Some combination of Hannover and Hamburg over seven nights

Dec. 7 -- 5-hour direct train Hamburg to Copenhagen; stay for a week

Dec. 14 -- Direct flight to Tallin; stay for a week

Dec. 21 -- Direct flight to Frankfurt; stay overnight or two in the city (have done enough stays at the airport for a lifetime!)

Dec. 22 or 23 -- Fly to USA

And I still think it's a mistake to not add a stop in Stockholm. One week in Copenhagen and one week in Tallinn are long visits and spending a few of those days in Stockholm instead is worth it in my opinion.

Definitely something to consider. Both the Copenhagen and Tallinn weeks would also represent our first forays into Scandinavia and the Baltics respectively, so that's partly why we were taking it slow. But you make a good point that Stockholm is right between the two -- why not take advantage of the geography?! Thanks for the food for thought.

4-5 days in Copenhagen, 4-5 days in Stockholm and 4-5 days in Tallinn is my suggestion. That would still give you plenty of time to see the cities and do day trips as well. And lets you see more of Scandinavia.

I would do 5 nights in Hamburg and, if you really want to see Hannover (not sure what the draw is, but maybe family history? most Germans will rate it among the most boring cities in the region), do it as a day trip. That gives you enough time to do Stockholm. And I say this as Hamburg's and the region's biggest fan!

Yep, definitely will scale back Hannover. The main reason it is in the mix is to serve as a hub to visit St. Michael's Church and the Dombibliothek in Hildesheim, as well as to check out Goslar (Old Town). But, yeah, that clearly doesn't take more than a couple days, and then we can move on. Thanks again for the feedback. More thoughts welcome...!

On more thoughts: Interested in checking out a historical site in Hannover easily accessible from Hannover Hbf on the S-Bahn or going to Minden, short ride on the S-Bahn or regional train from Hannover Hbf to see the Prussian Museum, within distance from the train station?

My experience with Hannover is limited, so I can't really comment on it. But I can give one more vote for Lübeck, it's well worth a visit.