Germany - Prague - Salzburg Itinerary 15 nights December

am very keen on doing all the Christmas markets in Germany

All? Take a look here. And even that list is incomplete. Plus... going just for the Christmas markets, it's all going to seem like more of the same after the first few. I loved the markets as much as anyone, but here's the secret- they all sell essentially the same rather cheap merchandise. The attraction for Germans isn't so much the shopping as it is the tradition and outdoor socializing.

Your proposed itinerary consists mostly of large cities, where a car will be mostly incovenient, expensive and unecessary. Most of these cities can be easily linked together via rail.

And yes, I think that's a lot of moving around for only 15 days. You'll spend far too much time in transit rather than enjoying your destinations. Even if you're thinking "I'll enjoy the scenery", think again. The atmosphere in December is usually very damp and overcast, so everything looks kind of hazy and gray.

Hi,

Going to Dresden for the Christmas market is a good choice, one of the more famous in Germany. Time it right you'll get a direct connection from Berlin. On cramming too much I would suggest dropping Füssen or Rothenburg.

Thank you for your replies.

Sorry when I said I was interested in the Christmas markets, I did not mean that was the only reason I am going (also interested in other sights, WWII history etc.). I just meant that going at that time of year would be a nice time to go (this is part of a bigger holiday).

My main goal was to explore Germany including the city and small towns (which some have no train access eg Rothenburg). The distance times are mstly only around 2 or 2.5 hours which for someone coming from Australia doesnt seem much. I suppose I could scrap Prague and Salzburg but it seems such a shame to not visit them as being so close!

I was pretty keen on Rothenburg so dont really wanna scrap that, which you need a car to my understanding so potentially this can be picked up later in the holiday. I will definitely look into the train system tho.

Thanks again for your help

We will be driving to and from each destination.

Allow for weather delays.

http://www.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/driving-in-europe/driving/snow-tires-winter-driving/

The new German law does not set any time limits, but it does clearly
state that under icy conditions (bei Glatteis, Schneeglätte,
Schneematsch, Eis- und Reifglätte) you must not drive without snow
tires on your vehicle. So, since it’s difficult to predict the
weather, for all practical purposes, the old “von O bis O” rule still
applies. (In Austria, winter tires are mandatory from November 1 to
April 15.)

The new law also spells out what a “winter tire” is. Specifically, it
is an M+S-Reifen, a mud-and-snow tire that has an official M+S (Matsch
und Schnee) marking on it. (M+S tires do not have to be “winter”
tires. All-year or all-weather M+S tires also qualify.) The German
automobile club ADAC recommends going a step further and getting tires
with the “three-peak-mountain” seal, an indication of snow tires that
meet the highest standards.

http://www.austria.info/au/plan-your-trip/driving-in-austria-1162412.html

All vehicles driving on snow-covered roads must have winter tires
during the winter season (Nov 1 - April 15) or risk a fine if pulled
over. Alternatively, all-season tires (if marked for M&S: mud and
snow) are also acceptable during the winter season. Snow chains are
not compulsory but must be carried in areas under advisory. Snow
chains on summer tires - as an alternative to winter tires - are only
accepted if the entire road is heavily covered with snow and no damage
to the road is caused by the snow chains. These winter provisions are
strictly enforced and control points are common.