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Christmas Market Itinerary...what do you think?

Please add your opinions on the towns that I have selected and the amount of time in each. I was really just giving each location one day (Munich 2 days) but maybe that isn't enough. We have been to Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Munich before but would still enjoy visiting a few sites and walking around town a bit so we can add a few days to our trip or eliminate a town or 2.

I'm still very undecided on the itinerary and it seems to change daily but here are my thoughts...Fly into Frankfurt (either overnight and visit markets in Frankfurt or head to Mannheim). If we go to Mannheim (we lived there for a short time years ago and have been there a few times because of my husbands job so we are somewhat familiar with the downtown area and thought it could be a hub for a couple of nights), we would visit their Christmas market for a few hours then get some rest. Next would be a day trip to Heidelberg for the markets then train back to Mannheim. The following morning, take the train to Strasbourg...overnight in Strasbourg for a 2 nights spend 1 day at Strasbourg markets and then do a day trip to visit Colmar. From that point I'm even more indecisive but thought about heading to Nuremberg and using it as a hub for a few days...spend a day in Nuremberg visiting their Christmas markets and some of the other sites in town (as time allows), day trip to Bamberg, and then another day trip to Regensburg. After that head to Munich. Fly home from Munich. Nothing in this itinerary is a "must do" so I would be happy to hear opinions on the towns and the amount of time in each one that I have mentioned. I was really pondering what to do on the weekends because I have heard how busy the markets are on the weekends but we will have a weekend to fill while we are there. I had also considered Ravenna Gorge and Rothenberg od T.

Thanks!!

Here's the link to my original postTrain vs. Car Rental

Posted by
5618 posts

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/christmas-markets-switzerland-france-germany-2019

Perhaps my 2019 Trip Reports will have some helpful info. As I mentioned in my TR, the Stuttgart markets were really nice, and you would be very close to the incredible Esslingen Middle Ages markets. We went from Strasbourg to Stuttgart.
I've read about the crowds in Nuremberg. I found Saturday nights were the worst for crowds, so shop during the day, and just look at the lights at night.
I love Rothenburg, the town is charming, but the markets are very small.
You need a rest day, because the markets keep you on your feet so much. Maybe do a wine tasting day in Strasbourg , where a van tour can move you about. We had a great time on our wine tour.
Have a magical adventure, firm up your itinerary soon, and book hotels asap. I found some hotels were fully booked by June, especially on the weekends.
Have a magical time!

Posted by
6984 posts

To be honest, this seems more like a stream of consciousness than an itinerary. But since you are only mentioning larger towns the answer to your previous thread is that trains will be your best way to get around. How much time do you have in total?

Posted by
9221 posts

The last thing I want to do after a long, trans-Atlantic flight is take a train anywhere. You are here for the markets, so go explore the one in Frankfurt which is quite nice, get a good nights sleep and head to Manheim the next morning.

If you want Ravenna Gorge, it is only open on the weekends and you need to get your tickets in Oct. They sell out fast. If you want something unique, go on a torch walk to the market from Hinterzarten. You can get the tickets for that now. Have done this the last 2 years and it is really a lot of fun. Stayed overnight in Hinterzarten so it was easy to take the shuttle bus back to the town. The bus is included in the torch walk price. Recommend Friday night, and take the later walk when it is darker.
https://www.schneeschuhakademie.de/erlebnisangebote/weihnachtsmarkt-ravennaschlucht