I am planning a long-ish trip to Europe for my family mid-December through mid-January, and we want to spend a couple of weeks in southern Germany or northwest Austria, probably on the mid-late December end of the trip. Any suggestions for a nice town on a train line (we won't be renting a car) that is big enough to have some AirBnb type homes (I have four children, 10-16, so getting an apartment for that longer time is usually cheaper than a hotel), maybe close to some other towns for day trips while we are there. I definitely want to take my kids to a couple of Christmas markets. Ideas? Nothing too expensive, but for that long I want to balance price with comfort. Thank you!
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9059 posts
Garmisch-Partenkirchen has a lot of opportunities within it and it is accessible to other places as well. Lots of places on VRBO. You should be able to find something that suits your family. Good local bus system as well.
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1132 posts
You better book SOON. We go over every other yr to the Xmas Markets and we book a yr in advance. The best and most convenient places will already be gone. Know most of the best markets close 12/22 or 12/23. Some do stay open in Vienna, but they are never as good after Xmas.
We love those along the Danube the best - Vienna, Regensburg, Salzburg. We fly into Vienna and out of Munich as we can always get a direct flight home from Munich.
You can easily spend 4 days in Vienna as there are MANY markets to see there.
Nuremberg also has a children's market. We like a minimum of 2 days as the town is also excellent.
the Thurn & Taxis Market in Regensberg is the best we've seen in Europe - you do need tickets.
Hotel Schlicker in Munich has apartments and is in the heart of town close to 3 markets.
cologne Germany also excellent, but the town is underwhelming.
Posted by
Schwerin
3431 posts
Bavaria covers a lot of area and has various sub-cultural impacts: Upper and Lower Bavaria, Upper Palatinate, Franconia and Swabia. So, the idea of a base and cover everything will not or rarely work.
On this Bavarian train network map you can see the hubs.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
No, Mark, you're right. I don't mean a home base for EVERYWHERE in Bavaria. Just a place from where we can reach several other good places to go that time of year.
This is all helpful, thank you all!
Posted by
Germany
223 posts
Seefeld in Austria might be an option travelling by train
Look for Ferienwohnung/Appartment Ferienhaus/Holiday Home
Seefeld is on the train route Garmisch-Seefeld -Innsbruck
45min from Garmisch 30min from Innsbruck
train stops on the way to Garmisch in Mittenwald and Scharnitz Nice Alpine villages worth a visit
You reach Munich Airport from Garmisch in ca.2hrs by train
Another good website to search for Holiday Appartments in Bavaria is BlauerGockel.de have look there for Farmstays and so on
Posted by
Schwerin
3431 posts
I updated the link to the train network map in first post.
Often underestimated imo is Ingolstadt with good connections.
Augsburg offers a lot of history and the famous fairy-tale Augsburg Marionette Theatre.
Bavaria Tourism offers a lot of good information, e. g. Christmas Markets selection page or 12 tips for fun and action with kids or 8 Museums for Children in Bavaria.
Maybe you know: for epi-genetic efficiency reasons (<-- joke) Germans celebrate Christmas at Christmas Eve (24th evening); 25th and 26th are holidays. Means that shops are closed from from 24th 1 p. m. until 27th in the morning. Public transport operates on Sunday schedule. Some cafés and restaurants in towns have open in Bavaria.
Good luck and enjoy your time.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
This is all so very helpful. And Mark, thank you for the warning about shops being closed for a few days around Christmas. All the more reason for me to make sure we have a place with a kitchen and make sure to stock up on supplies before the shut down!
Thank you all so much.