My daughter and I will be in Austria for Christmas this year. Where can we spend a nice Chrstmas Eve and Christmas day, dinner, church, etc. What is open/closed? Any help appreciated.
Posted by
Mansfield, GA
850 posts
Diane, if you are going to be around Salzburg you could spend a nice Christmas Eve and Day there. I think it would be neat to go to Oberndorf, Austria, which is close to Salzburg, for a nice Christmas Eve visit where the song "Silent Night" ("Stille Nacht") was written. Check out the link below for more information.
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/austria/oberndorf-silent-night-chapel.htm
Posted by
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
Diane, I can't give you specifics for Austria, but we were in Bavaria over Christmas. I recommend very careful planning and researching. Stores and most businesses will close down by noon or 2:00 on Christmas Eve and won't reopen until the 27th (and since THAT'S a Sunday this year, that will keep a lot of them closed until Monday, although restaurants will open sooner.)
We stayed at an apartment with a kitchen over Christmas and stocked up on groceries on the 23rd and the morning of the 24th. We also were in my grandfather's town and had family meals planned, including a reserved meal at a restaurant in town that was open for lunch only on Christmas day. On the 26th, we did find some museums and a couple of restaurants open. If I were you, I would look into staying in an apartment and buying your groceries in advance or trying to find a hotel that's pretty full-service and will be open for most meals. Other people can give more information about specific Austrian towns, but that's just my piece of advice!
Posted by
Krems, Wachau, Austria
386 posts
and it's excellent advice!
Posted by
Kelso, WA, USA
221 posts
We spent Christmas in Salzburg in Dec 2005. the advice about an apartment and stocking up is a good one, most restaurants and all the shops will be closed. But don't miss the opportunity for Christmas eve mass at the Cathedral - get there in plenty of time to line up outside the door and enjoy the Kristkindlmarkt before hand. that memory is one of the best of my entire life. Dress warmly!!!! The towns folk do some pub hopping late Christmas Eve interestingly enough after church. Try the Gluhwein and Rumpunch..keeps your tummy warm.
Posted by
Krems, Wachau, Austria
386 posts
Diane,
check this site periodically to see what is open and what is offered. Christmas is very much a family holiday in Europe, and it lasts three days. Count on many stores being closed from Wednesday afternoon (24th) until Monday, the way Christmas falls in 2009.
The 27th, however, traditionally is a day on which many Austrians go out to eat with friends and family, so most restaurants should be open then.
But take heart! With a little planning and foresight, you are in for a magical Christmas experience!!
http://www2.salzburg.info/
and a little treat:
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=JTG25jo-KTo