I am planning a long-awaited Christmas market-focused trip for a week in late December. Due to some family limitations (husband with mid-stage Alzheimer’s, traveling with two small dogs), we will stay in one place for the week and not move to different regions. I somewhat randomly picked Stuttgart as our base to have access to good transportation links. We are arriving by train from central Italy, with an overnight stop in Switzerland both ways. We will not rent a car.
I want to visit Stuttgart and Esslingen markets, and then find 3-4 more small towns within an hour commute by train. We may go to Tübingen, but all other choices should be smaller towns. The usual criteria: cute historic centres, train station or bus/S-bahn, maybe a castle or small museum to break up the Glühwein-and-tchotchke march. Concerts would be a bonus.
I have very little experience with the Baden-Württemberg region. If you could please mention your favorite smaller towns near Stuttgart, I will cross-check them against the list of 375(!) Christmas markets in the region and make a short list to pick from once we’re there and see the lay of the land.
I speak German and have lived in other regions of Germany (very very long ago), so I’ll be able to manage the logistics and my traveling circus. I just need some help with identifying a few gems from the too-many choices. Thank you!
Edit: I have already booked an apartment in Altbach for the week. We need a calm home base with space for the dogs, and it fit the bill, and is walking distance to a train/S-bahn station.