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Bavarian hole in our itinerary over Christmas. Ideas?

Posted by (Orlando, FL, USA) on

Fellow RS travelers...need some advice. We are planning just shy of two weeks from 20Dec to 31Dec. Already committed to the following:
20Dec arr Munich
21Dec likely Regensburg/Landshut, but not final
22-23Dec open
24-26Dec Salzburg
27-30Dec Prague/Cesky Krumlov
31Dec fly home from Munich

Wife and I have already done the RS GAS loop, so we don't feel a strong need to see Munich, Rothenburg, etc. We will, however, have our 12-yr old daughter with us, who loves to travel with us but has never been to Europe. Obviously will focus on Christmas markets but looking for other "fun stuff" for her (although exposing her to more culture is never a bad thing).

Options we are considering for the open 2 days include Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau, Andechs, Berchtesgaden, etc. Spent half my life in the mountains, so I am a "mountains guy" rather than a city guy, and we have toyed with the idea of skiing or snowshoeing for a day or two. Any thoughts? For the first time in a really long time, I'm stumped travel-wise.

Posted by
5372 posts

Salzkammergut region for superlative Christmas Markets and mountains.

Posted by
1540 posts

Check the dates that the markets are open in the locations you plan.
I found that they closed about a week or so before Xmas - around mid-December
In Vienna, Munich, Oberammergau, Nuremburg.
I was a bit surprised - but what lucky that my tour was early enough to see them.

Posted by
12040 posts

If you would consider skiing, and you want guaranteed snow, look into Obertauern south of Salzburg. There should be snow at Garmisch-Partenkirchen but if early winter is particularly warm, it may not be ready by your visit. Obertauern sits at a much higher altitude. The disadvantage is that if anyone in your party is a non-skier, there's much less to do.

Posted by
3 posts

Thanks to all for your replies. Still trying to fill the hole, but leaning towards Mittenwald.

Posted by
2902 posts

Hi swiss fan,

While we love Mittenwald, my suggestion would be to take your open 2 nights and combine them with you 2 nights in Salzburg. Base 4 nights in the area (we love the Berchtesgaden area) and stay for 4 nights. You can visit Berchtesgaden, Konigsee, Salzburg, the Salzkammergut, Hallein, etc. On your way to Salzburg area, stop at Prien on the Chiemsee and visit Ludwig's Neues Schloss/Herrenchiemsee palace.

We have photo's of our late Nov. / early Dec. 2010 and 2013 trips here:

www.flickr.com/photos/pjbassplyr/sets

Our favorite places to stay in the Berchtesgaden area are:

www.mayringerlehen.de

www.friedwiese.de/enska/isl.htm

Paul

Posted by
328 posts

I second Paul's suggestion of spending the time around Berchtesgaden. We just spent a week in Berchtesgaden and found so much to do. This also gives you options if the weather doesn't cooperate. You can spend the nicer days in the mountains and the not-so-nice days in Salzburg. The Salzkammergut - St. Wolfgang, Hallstatt, etc. - is an easy day trip, too. Years ago I took the boat trip on Konigsee to St. Bartholomae on a frosty December day and it was very memorable. Especially coming out of the cold into the warm, cozy biergarten while we were at St. Bartholomae.

Posted by
83 posts

We've been to Mittenwald a few times including over Christmas and love it--it's definitely a small town with comparatively few tourists, gorgeous mountains (if the weather lets you see them) and easy train access to ski towns in either direction.

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