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Advent Markets and more trip early December.

Hi all,

Getting ready for our Advent Market trip. This will be my third trip in Dec (my 11th trip like this overall) yet my companions first trip to Europe. I’ve been to all the places we’re going to many times, yet love going back.

Any input? Opinions?

Flying from NJ to Munich, landing at 10:20am. Rental car for the airport. I’ve done this every trip.

Our first 3 nights are in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden.
First day, Tuesday 12/3, arrival day.
We’ll either go right to our Pension OR stop at Herrenchiemsee Palace on the way. That and simply visiting Berchtesgaden for dinner.

Our first full day (Wed 12/4) will be seeing St. Sebastian in Ramsau. Then driving the Rossfeld Panorama Road if conditions are ok and then Salzburg. Hohensalzburg, Salzburg cathedral, Mozart houses, and taking in the atmosphere of the Advent Markets.

Second full day (Thur 12/5) we’ll head to St. Gilgen, catch the ferry to Strobl and St. Wolfgang. Head back to Salzburg for the Krampus Run, Parade at 5:30.

Friday 12/6, maybe take the first trip on the Koniggsee. Then head to Hall in Tirol for 3 nights.
Visit Halls Advent Market, dinner.

Sat 12/7. Full day Innsbruck and area. Nordkettenbahn if weather is ok. Schloss Ambras. Innsbruck old town Advent z market in the evening.

Sun 12/8, Hofkirche, or if the weather is good, we may drive to Sterzing and Brixen, OR head to Ortisei and arrive by noon. If the Gardena Pass is good, drive half of it and come back.

Mon. 12/9. Drive to Schwangau. On the way if the weather is good, trip to the Zugspitze from Ehrwald.
See Neauschwanstein from the outside, Mary’s Bridge if conditions cooperate. Possibly tour Hohenschwangau.

12/10. Drive to Munich airport, stopping at Wieskirche, for our 4:20pm flight home.

Posted by
88 posts

If I remember it correctly, I read somewhere that Mary's Bridge is closed for the winter.

Posted by
8073 posts

Paul, it sounds like you are aware that Mary's Bridge status can change during the winter (it's open now, FYI). You can find out the current information about its status daily at https://www.hohenschwangau.de/en. Just scroll down to the box that says "Latest Guest Information" and see if what the daily report is about the bridge.

I think your itinerary looks very good! It sounds like a wonderful trip!

Posted by
2985 posts

Thank you both.

Mardee, we have very limited time and don’t want to run around too much. My companion on the trip wants to see some churches, castles, loves scenic drives, hence the Rossfeld Road and possibly the trip to Val Gardena. I e been to the Dolomites a few times but she has never been and is hoping to see them on our short trip.

Posted by
1391 posts

For dinner when open nahe Berchtesgaden:
https://www.gasthof-vorderbrand.de/
https://www.auzinger.de/startseite

Posted many times but you should consider the Stubaitalbahn from Innsbruck to Fulpmes.

Sterzing is nice. I like Bruneck too. Consider driving the Brenner Pass on secondary roads. Kronplatz as an option before driving further south.

Ehrwalder Alm.

Obviously check for openings.

Just wanted to add the Ahrntal north of Bruneck. Not a big tourist attraction other than skiing and hiking, but unique.

Posted by
2985 posts

The Zugspitzebahn in Ehrwald will not be operating the day we’re in the area. :(