I am researching options for a Christmas market trip in 2025. Last year we went to Cologne and Strasbourg. Loved the markets in Cologne, but missed the half-timbered buildings. We’ve spent lots of time along the Rhine and in Rothenburg and Munich. Looking for a different base for 4 nights. We would be traveling from or to Vienna for 4 more nights. We might stop in Nuremberg for a few hours on the way.
I’m considering Stuttgart for its large markets, along with close proximity to Esslingen, Heidelberg and Tubingen (for the chocolate festival). These towns seem to be full of charm.
We travel relatively slowly, especially in winter. We like to be out in the cold for a couple hours including lunch at the markets, take a break at the hotel, go out for a couple hours, eat in restaurants for dinner, then go back to markets for the atmosphere after dark. On our last trip, we just visited markets, no other sightseeing, since we had previously visited the areas. So we’re not looking to fill our days with lots of museums or churches. But we do love walking through old towns and appreciating the architecture.
I’d love thought on Stuttgart as a base, as well as how the markets compare to Cologne's.