Bavaria and Salzburg

The long term weather data for Munich (Bavaria) in late Nov - early Dec: average daily high of about 40 and low of about 30. Not the best time for doing a lot outdoors. Short days put an early end to sight-seeing. But no crowds.

The best part of traveling to Germany and Austria in late Nov. early Dec. is the Christmas markets. It is cold, but the Christmas markets are fun to visit. The airfair is also cheaper and the crowds are smaller. I loved it when I went a few years ago at that time.

The weather may be grim - we do need snow in the Alps! - but the homes are warm with pre-Christmas customs and local Christmas markets. Just about every major town has one of these, usually running weekends only for several weeks. Vienna has a large one, but folks tell me that picking authentic handicrafts from China-ware is one hazard. I'd go to the smaller markets.

Since it's Advent, and you are visiting a nominally all-Catholic region, take in the folk customs: Santa Claus (St. Nikolo) visits on the evening of Dec. 5, accompanied by any number of demons and devils, to mete out discipline and treats to the small ones.

More ancient customs involve the gruesome Perchten who parade and chastize villages before settling in for partying. Special foods are also commonly served, and this runup to Fasching (carnival) allows some more formal balls and events to be offered.

With low airfare and less touristy things in the way, this is not a bad time to drink in another culture.

I was at Neuschwanstein in the first week of January a few years ago, and the horse carriages were there. I remember the horses "steaming" in the frigid air, in front of hotel Müller.

Hello Tricia. I was at Bavaria and Salzburg, not in the winter. But the air is not very cold in Salzburg in the winter. I saw on Television (Travel Channel): "Passport to EUROPE" with Samantha Brown : she was at Salzburg in February. Big fluffy snow flakes were falling from the sky on old Salzburg. I think she said the air temperature that day was 33 degrees F. It looked pleasant, quiet, peaceful. I desired to be there. Old Salzburg does not shut down in the winter. My only concern is about the rain. Walking outside in a cold rain is not enjoyable. Munich can have a strong wind. If you visit Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, I do not know if the carriages pulled by horses going up the hill toward the castle entrance are doing that in late November and early December. Many people walk up and down that hill, but it is tiring. Taxi cars are not allowed to be on that road, except to bring hotel guests to the hotel that is located near the Neuschwanstein castle entrance.

Thank you everyone who replied. You have painted a beautiful picture that I would like to be part of.

Tricia, Having been in Bavaria in March and November, I would recommend them both. As it is with any place even here in the States the weather can vary from year to year. Mid March 1990 (yikes!), the weather was beautiful. Spring was arriving, the days were sunny with rain now and again. The downside is that some of the gardens at the palaces were not fully open and some of the statuary were still covered. An added bonus if your lucky is, the beatiful aroma of natural fertilizer the farmers use on their fields.
Last November (21-26), we were in Bavaria and the weather was mild, well, for us. The temps were around 40 and there was snow on the ground. Some days were sunny and even my wife was comfortable. The day we went to Fussen, the horse carriages were operating. There was snow on the ground but the roads were clear. It does get dark early but a number of the shops in some of the towns we were stayed open until 8 or 9.
Do some investigating on the areas you will be in for both times of the year, and go from there.
We have never been to Europe in the peak season and I don't think I will go if given the chance. Good luck, John

Just plan to pack warmly! It's beautiful in the winter, but cold. We took my in-laws around last Christmas to the big sights (the castles, dachau, Munich) and it was chilly, but there were small crowds. (There were 5 of us on our tour of the Linderhof). The Christmas markets are worth the trip for sure!