Christmas trip with kids

A couple of years ago we spent a couple of days over Christmas at Forsthaus Graseck in Partenkirchen with two grade-school aged kids. Pros: What an amazing location! Accessible only by Gondola Ride. Way cool! Snow! At that altitude we had plenty and there is a sledding hill right behind the hotel. Views: We had spectacular sun shine and the views of the alps were memorable. Staff: We called ahead and the friendly staff were happy to have a 3 foot Christmas tree waiting for us. Kids had fun making paper decorations for it. Cons: It was very cold outside! The food was only O.K. and the big dining room was more about efficiency than ambiance. Can be isolated because of location. In a good way or a bad way depending on your tastes. On Christmas morning we went on a walk through silent, snowy woods. Pretty magical.
If the weather is cloudy, there go your views! I could imagine it being "socked in". We were lucky. I hope you have a great trip! http://www.forsthaus-graseck.de/page/en/startseite/

I would have thought that in any of the cities you mention at that time of the year you very well may have cold rainy days. Maybe in some cities in central Europe you may get snow. But then, maybe not. Or in any of the others you may, too. Nothing is guaranteed. With the weird winters recently, to say nothing of weird summers, who knows? Good luck. I would have thought that if the miniature ladies have a good time as well as the big'uns the weather won't matter much.

oh, should have added above; Rudy Maxa also had a xmas episode on his PBS show (specifically, it covers Xmas in Switzerland) that I'm sure you can find online. I think that it, too, may help point your family in the right direction, based on your likes and preferences. His travel philosophy is def different than Rick's (for example, for the price of ONE night in the types of hotels he stays in, you could probably spend a WEEK in 1 of Rick's suggestions!), but he is also a great travel journalist, very informative and educational, etc. Just seems to favor lux accommodations! Good luck w/ the planning; fact is, you really can't go wrong in anywhere in Europe you choose; it's just a matter of selecting based on your family's tastes. Good luck w/ the planning.

I agree w/ post above; def try and get Rick's Xmas show. Filmed a few years ago (if I'm correct, about 3 - 5ish yrs ago, but still very relevant, entertaining, etc.). and they show it every Dec on local PBS stations, but you can get the disc on line. Covers xmas traditions/follow local families in France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Norway and England celebrating the holidays. I think it would give you some good suggestions re: where to head w/ your family. A few yrs back, I was in Austria and Germany in December, and loved it. I was in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, St. Anton am Arlberg (ski resort in Austria, where I was on xmas eve and xmas day), Munich and Garmish Partenkirschen. It was cold, but never unbareably so (although, full disclosure; I love cold weather, so I'm not the best judge!). In Vienna, it was cold but sunny during the day and it snowed in Salzburg, which made it especially pretty. Coldest place was Munich, mainly b/c there was little sun; so it just felt raw. But it did add to the holiday season feeling. And St Anton (in the Arlberg, in Western Austria) for skiing was just awesome; cold (yet sunny both days I skiied) and mezmerizing, snow capped alpine views that seemed to go on forever. Just a great trip; taking in the sights, seeing the xmas markets, seeing how the locals embrace their tradtions; great food and drink; could not have enjoyed it more!

As others have said, there will always be a chance of cold, rainy weather no matter where you go. I've been wanting to go to Germany around Christmas time, but have never made it there. I've heard from local friends that Munich is a great base for that time of year. I can tell you about Christmas in Paris. There are the outdoor Christmas Markets and some have carnival rides for kids. The department stores are decorated, and the window displays at Galleries Lafayette are not to be missed. (Go early in the morning!) With kids your daughters' ages, you could also do a day trip to Disneyland Paris and they could sit on the lap of an English speaking Santa (be warned - he looks a little different than the typical US Santa, as he is officially Pere Noel)

There are a lot of great hotels just for families around Austria. Some are with www.kinderhotels.com, some are just family friendly near ski areas. Many of the ski areas around Austria and Switzerland have guaranteed snow the end of December.

Believe it or not here are 2 suggestions, both in Germany that are beautiful in winter. R0thenburg de Tauber between Heidelberg and Nurnberg is gorgeous, and believe it or not a small village just outside Frankfurt, called Oberursel with gret access to Taunus parks and Frankfurt.

If snow is better than rain for the girls, then I would stay where I know, almost for sure, there will be snow. I would make Salzburg my base. It is a beautiful, small city that is enjoyable anytime of year. Along with Salzburg's Christmas market, you could take a day trip to Munich's Christmas market. In the Salzburg area, you could take a tour bus to the Silent Night chapel or to the salt mines where you could go down into the mine. You could also do a Sound of Music bus tour. PM me for suggestions on accommodations. Have a great trip with the little ones.