I can surely use help of folks on this forum. We are travelling to Germany for the first time.
We will reach Frankfurt on December 22 and fly back to US on January 4 from Frankfurt.
The plan is to take a train from Frankfurt airport to Bonn on December 22 and will be in Bonn until December 25 to attend a wedding/reception/Christmas dinner etc.
I am trying to make an itinerary for 9 days (from December 26th until January 3rd).
The issue I am facing how to best plan the itinerary considering the following:
We are going in winter/cold off season time.
The daylight is only approx. 8 hours (8 am to 4 pm). What to see/do during the evening hours?
Some places may be closed on Saturday, December 30 and Monday, January 1, 2018.
We need to be back in Frankfurt on January 2 or January 3 (as our flight leaves mid-morning January 4)
Where to spend a memorable New Year’s Eve as a family (Germany / Paris)?
Stay around Frankfurt/Cologne/Rhine valley or explore farther in Germany. (DW wants to be in Paris on New Year’s Eve if possible).
I am also trying to book an Airbnb apartment in Bonn, but most of the places are in Cologne (and few in Bornheim and Beuel). How is the winter drive around Bonn/Cologne (I have been also advised that there will be a lot of traffic due Christmas)? All I need is to be in Bonn from 9/10 am until 9/10 pm or so then head back to sleep/rest at a vacation rental or hotel. We can drive around nearby on December 25 during the day.
We are 4 in a family (DW, 20 yr and 14 yr old boys). We have lived in winter/snow and have driven plenty during winter.
I am looking for some suggestions so that I can plan better (where and how…. Trains or rental car (Ford Modeo/Opel Insignia).
Thanks for your kind time and suggestions.