8 days in Southern Germany over Christmas

You might be a bit more specific about when you are visiting. The Christmas Markets often shut down a bit before Christmas, often on the 23rd of December.

We visited Rothenburg, Bamberg, Aschaffenburg and Würzburg during the advent season of 2008 and are going back for another selection this year. We enjoyed Rothenburg best as so many upscale tourist shops also offer Christmas goods during Advent. Plus this is an attractive stop at a less crowded time of year.

There is a certain sameness to Christmas Markets. For us it is best to visit places that appeal to us otherwise and take the Christmas Markets as frosting on the cake, something to do in the long evenings.

Regensburg is a town that we have enjoyed visiting in the past and we are looking forward to its three different Christmas Markets for this year.

Hi Darren.... Sounds like fun. I've been in the area numerous times. If you go to Rothenburg, one of Germany's largest Christmas stores is Kathe Wolfart. Look it up on the net. Among other things you might think about is jumping across the border into France. Strasbourg is fun, especially the Petite France area. Rick Steves prefers Colmar, which is in the same part of France, but not as touristy and is like a miniature Strasbourg. Both are great. You could then jump back into Germany and go to Neuschwanstein, one of ludwigs castles. Garmisch is very cute and could be done as a loop on the way to Munich. Also, Hallstatt is a beautiful mountain lake village a few hours from Salzburg. How are you traveling? Some of these trips might be faster by car, but most could be done by rail or bus. You need to buy some of Rick's books and a large map or maps. Also do some research on the internet.

We went this past December to Germany/Austria and visited Rothenburg, Bamberg, Nuernberg, Salzburg, and Munich. I bought my cuckoo clock in Rothenburg at the Annaliese Friese shop that RS mentions in his guidebook. They gave me the VAT refund as a discount PLUS another discount for mentioning RS. Cuckoo clock prices are pretty high but I thought I got a good deal and they shipped it to California for me.

Thanks for the great responses. Regensburg sounds pretty cool, but Rick doesn't cover it in his book. I wonder why?

"Regensburg sounds pretty cool, but Rick doesn't cover it in his book."

He covers fewer places in greater detail. He also doesn't mention Bamberg, another great city mentioned above. If he or anyone else covered all the places worth visiting to his usual level of detail, one might need a wheelbarrow to carry the book.

Regards, Gary

Regensburg sounds pretty cool, but Rick doesn't cover it in his book. I wonder why?

The same question might be asked for all of Northern Germany and most of Eastern Germany. Or all of Southern Italy incl. Sicily ... Just because Rick doesn't cover an area doesn't mean it's not worthwhile visiting.

Again the question is WHEN exactly will you be in Germany? Very few Christmas markets are open beyond Dec. 23. That may influence where you'll be going. The ones in Regensburg and Rothenburg odT end on Dec 23, Salzburg on Dec 24.

If most of your time is after Christmas you could consider spending some time in Southern Bavaria and enjoy the winter landscape. Sleigh rides in the snowy Alps are what memories are made of!

To answer the question about dates, I will be arriving around the 17th, and leaving the 26th or 27th.

Over Christmas Eve and Christmas things shut down. Make preparations (reservations) for meals, a hotel with a restaurant might be the answer.

I spent one Christmas in Salzburg (quite beautiful) in a hotel with a meal plan. I thought I was set until they served boiled carp Christmas Eve. I was told that it was tradition by the maitre d'hotel. I learned always to have snacks in our room.

Have fun; great time to be there.

Regards

Colmar is in the Alsace region of France but it has a nice Christmas market--for a contrast, you could divide your time between Colmar and a nearby German city.

How about Innsbruck? Is it too loaded with Skiers over Christmas to still be quaint? I'd like to experience some snowy sleigh rides, etc., and I was thinking that this might be a better area than the others.

Thanks!

Hi Darren, we too will be visiting during Christmas. Will be staying in Rothenburg and hope to take in Nuremburg, Bamberg, Strasbourg, and a little Paris. We are looking forward to seeing the markets the first two weeks of December.