My husband's first trip to Germany... need your expert help!

Hi Kira---Berlin cannot be any more grim and gray than Seattle in November! It is a wonderful and exciting city, but very modern. I have only been there in May (twice) so I don't know how it feels in November. I hope someone else can explain that. But if you are looking for "Olde World" charm and Gemütlichkeit, maybe somplace in Bavaria or Baden-Wurtemburg would be a better introduction to Germany.

for "inimitable German coziness and Olde Worlde charm in the run-up to Christmas time"... Nuremberg and its Christmas market might be what you seek. http://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/english/ Nuremberg is near Bamberg, one of Germany's best-preserved and most attractive cities: http://www.bamberg.info/en/sehenswertes/panorama-bilder/ No reason you cannot also visit Berlin for a few days.

We have been to Berlin 5 times during Nov/Dec dates and loved it very much. If your husband is into museums, concerts, and food he will definitely love Berlin, especially in the winter. From Berlin we have traveled to various Christmas markets in cities with more old world charm such as Leipzig, Dresden, and as far away as Nuremberg. The trip to Nuremberg was an overnighter so that we could really enjoy the vast market possibilities. Berlin also has several Christmas markets spread over different venues and neighborhoods in the city. We tend to enjoy the more traditional one near the museum island. Check various websites to see when the festive markets start in late November in these cities.

"2) Where else would you suggest that might have that inimitable German coziness and Olde Worlde charm in the run-up to Christmas time?" There's plenty of that in NE Germany, although off the top of my head, I can't remember the names of any towns (I'm on vacation in the US right now, and I don't have all my old travel stuff available). As far as Berlin being to gray, most of Europe north of the Alps is like that from October to April. Doesn't mean you still can't have a good time, it just means you won't see those vibrant postcard rural views that you would in the summer. Cities are just as lively as any other time. If your husband is a serious fan of opera and classical music, Berlin in the colder months would be ideal. The Berlin Philharmonic under conductor Simon Rattle is probably the best orchestra on the planet, and there's plenty of opera and chamber music options.

Berlin is anything but grim, as it is one of the liveliest cities in Europe, very vibrant and fun. If you do feel the need to go see something a little different after a few days, you could always do a day trip to Potsdam, Dresden or Lübeck perhaps. I doubt if you will run out of museums or things to see in Berlin though. You could also plan in a couple of days in Hamburg too, another fun, vibrant city in the North of Germany. The Christmas markets start the 4 weeks before Christmas, so you can visit those in Berlin and surrounding towns too, that last week in Nov.

Just returned from my first trip to Germany. I went to Munich and other places in Bavaria but the definite highlight of the trip was Berlin. It is a very comfortable, approachable city. It is not too big, grim, or even too modern. If your husband is interested in history, Berlin is overflowing with it. It has something like 185 museums to see. By all means, go. We have put it on our list of places to which we will definitely return.

Native (and current!) NYer here....and loved Berlin in the late fall/early winter. I've traveled all over Germany and while I can't say I think it's necessarily the nicest looking city, (IMHO).....it IS fascinating. There's such a sence of history everywhere and it's CERTAINLY a world-class, cosmopolitan city. If someone had very little time to spend in Germany, not sure I'd recommend Berlin, but if you'll also be spending time in, say, the South (Munich, etc.) and you have the time, Berlin is a great bet. Outstanding museums (some of my favorites; The Checkpoint Charlie Museum, The Pergamon; spectacular; The Gemaldegallerie; and The Jewish Museum Berlin), restaurants, culture, etc. It's a VERY spread out city, but that said, one can get in MOST of the main tourist sites in, say, 2-3 days (although I was glad I had some more time to get in ALL I wanted to see). The Reichtag (amazing views of the city from the dome), Brandenburg Gate and The Holocaust Memorial (chilling, effective, important) are also highlights one should make sure to see, also IMHO. Bottom line, if he's a cosmopolitan traveler, he should really like Berlin. I know I did!

Berlin has become one of my favorite cities. I LOVE IT. I've been to New York and it feels much less crowded in Berlin, (there are 3.5 million people in Berlin compared to 8 million in New York) but it is very cosmopolitan. I'd compare it to Chicago or Philadelphia. Much more upper class than Seattle. You simply must come here. I agree the Jewish Museum is a highlight, as is the Pergamon.

Berlin is a great city...lots to see and do, and not at all grim. I spent 4 days there and found it to be a lively, energetic place and would have no problem recommending it to anyone

Kira, you might want to look into the charming "twin" cities of Quedlinburg and Wernigerode. Quedlinburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Both are fairytale like cities that should be beautiful during the holidays. http://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/ http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/wernigerode_christmas_market.htm http://www.adventsstadt.de/#Navigation