We are a family of four, 2 adult kids aged 22 and 27. I work in Europe although based in US, and have family in Germany, so very familiar with things in general. This trip is focused on things our kids want to do/haven't done before in previous trips. I love driving in Europe and my son is crazy about cars (he's a mechanic) so we have a nice BMW reserved.
Flying into Munich 16 Dec, staying at my favorite Munchner Kindl, 2 days for city/Weinachtsmarkt and Dachau. Next booked a lovely HomeAway place near Oberammergau (how is the Weinachtsmarkt there?) for several days, kids have never been in that area. Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau: Does the path up via carriage stay open/how high a risk of it being closed? Is the Marienbrucke route even open in winter? Are tours busy at that time/should we arrive upon opening? Zugspitze: We don't downhill since our guys have bad arthritis but we all cross-country ski (we're from MN). How is the tubing there? Any Nordic skiing routes, or are they all downhill?
21 Dec - Thinking of Nurnberg stop on way to Leipzig. How is the Weinachtsmarkt there? Other options for a 1 day stop on the way to Leipzig?
22 Dec - Meeting up with friends and visiting their son in Leipzig at University there for 2 days before Christmas. Gabe will be our guide as he is in third year at University.
24-26 Dec - Wittenburg - We have huge Lutheran heritage so want to worship at Schlosskirche and People's Church (name?) at Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Anyone have a preference for either church for Eve or Day worship? Thinking of staying in Leipzig for better availability of things in general, drive to Wittenburg is short. Found a nicer/bigger HomeAway place with real kitchen as we love to do market/bakery and cook particularly for Christmas meals. Figuring need to shop on 24th, expecting markets/shops to be closed on 25/26. Anyone have advice/ideas/thoughts on all of that?
26-28 Dec - Thinking of Berlin as our kids don't remember it from their first trip to Germany (they were 8 and 13). Is there much open the week after Christmas? Primarily interested in Berlin museums which we didn't really do with them before; are they open? Or we might consider other Luther-specific places - Erfurt or Eisenach? Other places?. Anyone have other suggestions for 26-28, on way back or not far off path back to Munich?
Lastly, I have a little pot of money for a one day/night splurge, would love to stay in a Castle Hotel for one night. Any around Chiemsee? Kids would love the Herrenchiemsee (sp?) castle too. Any others - between Oberammergau and Leipzig or on way back to Munich?
Thanks for advice especially on 24-26 Dec options!