Germany & Austria in December

Hi, I'm trying to plan a 10 day-ish trip in December for 4 adults. We are thinking of flying in to Munich. We want to see the Christmas markets & do some obvious sight seeing. We were originally thinking 2 nights in Munich then get the train to go visit the Neuschwanstein castle, spend 2 nights in that area, then travel by train again to Innsbruck for 2 nights then maybe onto either Salzburg or Vienna for 2 nights then back to Munich to fly back to London. All the times in each place are flexible as is the 10 days. But my issue is now that after doing some research I think maybe we'd be better off staying in Munich & doing the Neuschwanstein castle & maybe Salzburg on day trips rather than going and staying there. This could then free up other time to visit somewhere else?

Does this sound like a sensible idea? My brain is getting fried with the million plans & ideas going on in my head that I'm questioning myself now so would appreciate some constructive criticism about my latest plan!

Cheers

I would certainly do a day trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle and possibly Innsbruck, Innsbruck has much less to see than Salzburg unless you are planning on skiing there. But Salzburg to me warrants more than a day trip from Munich.

Thanks for that richiavo, not planning on skiing no. Still weighing up between Salzburg & Vienna...more research I think is needed before we make that final decision. But as far as day trips v staying for a couple of days at Innsbruck & Neuschwanstein Castle area goes..think you've sealed it for me :)

Thanks for your advice!

My personal opinion is that I prefer Salzburg to Vienna, other will differ but especially as xmassy destination then Salzburg is more magical

It's definitely an xmassy feel we're after! We're travelling from Australia to uk to see family for xmas with a Europe trip thrown in so we're looking forward to experiencing a 'real' xmas again!

1 question

why return to Munich to fly to London? Why not simply fly to London from Salzburg or Vienna?

To be honest Fwoggle I hadn't given that idea any consideration..I guess my assumption was that it would just cost heaps more & that as we're going to be 'fairly' close to Munich then just fly back from there. I'll look into that though as it may save us some time to enjoy where we are rather than spend it travelling to catch a plane.

http://www.skyscanner.net

It's definitely an xmassy feel we're after! We're travelling from Australia to uk to see family for xmas with a Europe trip thrown in so we're looking forward to experiencing a 'real' xmas again!

Vienna will have a number of Christmas markets in December, including 1 on the central Rathausplatz and 1 in front of Schloss Schönbrunn. But you can probably find Christmas markets in Salzburg as well. For a Christmas feeling you could also spend a few days in a cabin high in the mountains so that you will have lots of snow around you. If you don't feel like skiing, you could still go for hikes in the neighbourhood or go on a guided snow shoe tour or something.

We, by coincidence, flew in and out of Munich for Christmas Markets Last December. We also visited Vienna and Salzburg. Salzburg was beautiful as always but overrun with visitors, almost to the point of distraction.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent2012/Salzburg/27528457_6tstNC

Vienna had many markets and I think that we liked it a bit better as it handled its tourists better. We especially enjoyed Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens. Get a transportation pass if you go.

http://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/christmas-markets

Our favorite Christmas market of the whole trip was at Schwabbing in Munich.

Our favorite stop of the trip was Passau, Germany, on the way back from Vienna. Unfortunately, it has been heavily flooded since and I am not sure if it has sufficiently recovered.

http://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent2012/Passau-2012/27269752_mTt8bM

It is a wonder time to visit that part of the world.

Regards, Gary

In case you are still planning to arrive an depart in Munich and as you seem to enjoy the X-mas Markets that much, try Nuremberg , just 150 km north of Munich and not as overrated.

If you are interested in landscapes and rural areas, I recommend Hallstatt (close to Salzburg) and Krimml, though they can get really cold and snowy .

Thanks for all your replies. Think the agenda will definitely so far be 2 nights in Munich followed by 2 nights in Fussen. Then I'm thinking Salzburg & maybe Hallstatt - ecodinpo7 - it looks beautiful there :) & maybe Vienna..I could be talking too many places now, but for now...it's a plan!

Gary - your pictures are great :)

Edited by: toaster312