Finally got our trip to Munich scheduled Now could use some travel advice. Will have 2 weekends open to travel a little way from Munich by car or train so thinking of a short trip to maybe Salzburg one weekend and maybe a trip to Rothenburg for the other weekend. Or maybe a trip to Dachau. The other weekdays will be free to sightsee in Munich while my husband has business meeting. I know hours will be shortened during the winter but would love some help planning what would make sense. Thanks in advance for any help
Posted by
Huntington, CT
62 posts
Dachau is only about a half-hour train then bus ride from Munich and I highly recommend it. Spend a few hours walking thru the excellent little museum and then the grounds. There are a few barracks left, the crematoriums, memorial areas. Sobering but very interesting.
Rothenberg is fantastic. Several hours from Munich by train. You can walk the ancient city walls and being there at the holiday time will be wonderful. We included it on our trip to the Christmas Markets two years ago and it was the highlight of our trip. While so many places scream "CHRISTMAS!", Rothenberg whispers "Christmas..." Be sure to get out into town in the evenings when the shops and streets are gently lit with sparkling tiny white lights and sweet little green swags. They have a small Christmas Market so check that out.
Posted by
TX
980 posts
The highway between Munich and Salzburg is notorious for bad traffic jams. If you go to Salzburg it is easier to get there by train than to drive using a Bayern Ticket. Trains depart just after the hour every hour from Ostbahnhof. When I lived in Munich and had a car I still took the train to Salzburg instead of driving because it was just faster and easier.
In Munich be sure to check out the smaller Christmas markets around town. There is a craft market in Schwabing, a medieval market on Wittelsbacher Platz and a community Christmas Market in Haidhausen (my favorite).
DJ
Posted by
NYC area
2903 posts
Hi,
Try to get to Salzburg on Friday evening. On Saturday, head to St. Gilgen and hop on a lake ship to St. Wolfgang and Strobl. Then head back to St. Gilgen for a look around or maybe dinner before going back to Salzburg. All have lovely Christmas Markets and the lakeships are a wonderful way to get around. Relax, view the scenery, have pastries, coffee, hot chocolate, whatever. It’s like a floating cafe. Wonderful! We spent a day doing this in early Dec. 2013.
I’d also spend a weekend in Innsbruck. So gorgeous during the Christmas Markets with the high alpine scenery all around. Take the Nordkettenbahn trip, visit Schloss Ambras and the Hofkirche while there.
Paul
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks for all the suggestion. Madly planning now
Posted by
Germany
1117 posts
I agree that Dachau is certainly an important place to visit, but it is so close to Munich that really you don't need to save a whole weekend for that. Maybe your husband has half a day off at some point? That should work fine for a visit to Dachau.