I have been receiving very helpful advice from you all for planning this Holiday trip.
I THINK we will fly into Zurich, spend time in Basel, Bern, [maybe Luzern],
go onto France [Colmar & Strasbourg],
then to Stuttgart/ Esslinger.
NOW- if we circle back thru southwestern Germany and fly out of Zurich, what unique small towns/markets would you all recommend? A poster has recommended Lindau on Lake Konstanz.
Will look forward to your insights. Thx!
Hi Pat, I think I replied to you on another thread. If you're still looking at 10-12 days this may be a bit much. Will you be renting a car?
There are a lot of good smaller town markets in Southern Germany but many of them only run on weekends or just one or two weekends, so a lot of research will be needed for this itinerary.
If you have a car, the Ravenna Gorge is a great unique market. Konstanz has a decent market. Lindau is quite out of the way - I love it in summer but can't speak towards it's market.
I'll ask my friend from Basel to see if he has any personal insight.
Yes, Sarah, you left a great reply to my earlier post. As I'm retired, I'm doing the research, reviewing a few different options, then I'll share my info with my hard-working daughter, and we'll come to a consensus on the trip itinerary. Thank you so much again for your time and energies on our behalf!
Esslingen itself has one of the best Medieval Christmas Markets in its beautiful centre. The champagne company in town used to supply Clark Gable and has a fine tasting room. You probably know that Germans welcome guests with a glass of Sekt - mine took me to this place, and you can see the old cellars and methods. Esslingen has a city wall to climb up, a museum of children's illustrations and toys to explore, fine restaurants and cafes - and is not far from Stuttgart if you want a day in the bigger city at their Xmas Market.
Ask the German Tourist office site about the many Fairs and their schedules - I love Rothenburg ob der Tauber in winter, and their Reiterlesmarkt is a fine event. The one night they put out all street lights and light only flaming torches for the Lichterlauf Run is a magic deepening of the olden days feeling. Germany is cheaper than Switzerland, and there are as many fairs as you want. Nuremberg and Ulm and, closer, Schwaebisch Hall, are all good. I would stay a couple of nights in one place, to really feel it.
