We have decided to give the gift of travel for Christmas rather than a bunch of gifts to our two boys ages 10 and 13. We plan to fly to Munich on Christmas night and stay for 5 days since the boys are out of school. My husband and I have been to Germany and Austria about 15 years ago and had a blast!! We backpack in June and fortunately our boys are adventurous too! However, we did not come in the winter much less the Christmas season. We did go to Munich, Rothenburg, Fussen, and Baden-Baden - Germany & Salzburg and Hallstatt Austria. We had a magically experience and were able to hit all of the major attractions in the areas mentioned above! We do not mind repeating, however it would be neat to see something different. I am looking for suggestions of different areas close to Munich (using public transportation) that we should not miss or activities we should make sure we do see as we have a very short trip. If there are any specifics as to attractions being closed - that would be valuable information. Thank you so much for any information provided.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5555 posts
Definitely go to Salzburg. It will be magical at Christmas, the kids will love Hohensalzburg Castle, particularly the medieval torture display, and it's within easy travel from Munich.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you so much!
Posted by
NYC area
3003 posts
You could spend a day in Garmisch and doing the Zugspitze trip, to the top of Germany’s highest peak.
Ludwig’s Herrenchiemsee Palace is worth visiting and about an hour from Munich. Actually, pretty much mid way between Munich and Salzburg.
Paul
Posted by
OP
8 posts
I will read up on Garmisch! We did see Ludwig's Palace - it was amazing. I would love for my boys to see it. We may have to repeat that site!
Posted by
NYC area
3003 posts
Did you visit Herrenchiemsee or Neuschwanstein? Linderhof Palace? Linderhof Palace is near Garmisch.
Posted by
Vancouver, WA
523 posts
What about the BMW Museum in Munich?
Posted by
New York, NY
4071 posts
If you're in the mountains, take part in winter activities including alpine & cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sledding, and ice skating. Your boys will have a blast.
Posted by
Germany
1117 posts
Do understand that Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 are public holidays in Germany, so many attractions may in fact be closed. Make sure you inquire in advance if the places you want to visit are open on those days.
Also, be aware that those days are considered like Sundays in terms of public transportation. So for train or bus schedules, look for the Sunday schedule or possibly special holiday schedules.
Too bad you are leaving on Dec. 31. I am sure your boys would enjoy the fireworks at midnight!
The "Deutsches Museum" in Munich might be worth adding to your list, with boys that age.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thank you for the public transportation tip - and the holiday info. We may need to go sledding or ice skating on December 26th. Thank you for all of the good information!
Posted by
Germany
1117 posts
Some more thoughts:
If you need to do any shopping at the beginning of your vacation, make sure you do it right at the main station when you arrive. Stores are generally going to be closed on Dec. 25 and 26, the only exception being train station malls or gas station shops.
Not many years ago, restaurants used to be closed for the Christmas days too, but that shouldn't be an issue nowadays.
What time will you be arriving? Maybe you are in time for a midnight service. Visiting Germany at Christmas and missing out on experiencing Christmas is like visiting Greece at Easter or any other country at their most important holiday and not joining in the celebrations!
If you can't make it on Christmas Eve, most churches will have services on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, and in Munich you will most certainly also have the opportunity to expose your boys to some top class church music like Bach's Christmas Oratorio. (For boys that age, start with one section out of the six, not the whole thing. ;-) )