I am flying into Munich on December 21. I was thinking os spending a couple of days in Munich before moving on to either Salzburg or Rothenburg. After reading some entries on here about closures, I was wondering about would it be better to be in a bigger city or smaller city on the 25th and 26th.
Also, which city would you suggest?
Would Munich be a good place for Christmas day?
Count on virtually everything being closed from around noon on the 24th to the morning of the 27th. (That said, small towns will be quieter than big cities.) The best advice for the traveler is to hole-up in a full board hotel (one that provides meals) and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Last year my family met some close friends at a chalet in the woods above Garmisch and had a great time in a storybook setting. Christmas day was especially nice when my wife and I took a walk in the snow covered woods and enjoyed alpine views. It was absolutely silent except for the sound of churchbells in the valley. Magical! Met one other couple: a pair of Bavarians who were so friendly and filled with holiday cheer. In the afternoon we took the kids sledding. It was the first vacation in a long time that I spent a good deal of time "just doing nothing." Very relaxing. Fortunately, our kids had our friends' kids to keep them from getting bored.
Thank you for the info. I look forward to what everyone has to say.
Thomas is right about the closures. Unfortunately the week from the 24+ is pretty much deadsville all over Germany (and I'll guess Austria/Switzerland too?). Many things will be closed. Make a list of your must-see sights and check into when they are closed for Christmas. This can help you determine where you'll actually go.
I would go to Salzburg. I spent a Christmas there in 2004. It was one of the highlights of my life. Christmas eve mass in the Salzburg cathedral with a trio singing Silent Night only with guitar and then the choir singing the refrain...magical. the Christmas markets are a blast, people bundled up walking around in the snow drinking hot spiced wine. It is hard to find a restaurant open on Christmas day for dinner, but we asked around and found one. it is something I will never, ever forget. Take warm clothes and lightweight hiking boots! and hope for snow...
