Germany Travel Forum

Christmas overseas, but where?
Posted: Wed July 1, 2009 12:25 AM UTC

My family (two adults and two kids 8 & 15) will be spending Christmas in Germany as a once-in-a-lifetime treat, and I'd really like to make Christmas Eve and Morning the highlight of the trip. I don't mind a bit of a splurge if someone can recommend a quintessentially German Christmas hotel or castle or event. We're planning on hitting the Christmas markets and renting a car, so we have some flexibility, even to reach into Switzerland or somewhere else for the perfect spot. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

WhiteSkye

5 replies

[Reply]

Re: Christmas overseas, but where?
Posted: Wed July 1, 2009 03:07 AM UTC

What about Freiburg, the "capital" of the Black Forest? Close enough to Frankfurt (airport), close to Switzerland, France and Lake Constance. Plus, Freiburg has a beautiful old town and one of the more beautiful Christmas markets.

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Turtleshell

[Reply]

Re: Christmas overseas, but where?
Posted: Wed July 1, 2009 05:36 AM UTC

Hi!

Just a quick note to consider:
Most Xmas markets in Germany actually finish on the 23rd December... so they are no longer open on Xmas Eve (that's the main das of Xmas for Germans; most of us stay at home with our families and the streets are pretty deserted!)

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JessH

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Re: Christmas overseas, but where?
Posted: Wed July 1, 2009 05:55 AM UTC

Another vote for Freiburg here. With the Black Forest and the Alps being so close, you may even have a good chance of snow at Christmas.

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christine.j

[Reply]

Re: Christmas overseas, but where?
Posted: Wed July 1, 2009 09:25 PM UTC

You really might consider South of Germany with the Alps, mountains - there it is more likely to hava a white xmas... But I am not that familiar with that region - even if I am living here for some few weeks...
If you go North Hamburg is a great city and Lübeck has a cute xmas market.
Best Chris.

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chris.hh

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Re: Christmas overseas, but where?
Posted: Thu July 2, 2009 12:08 AM UTC

Personally I would choose a place in the Bavarian Alps, but not in one of the main winter sport resorts. Places with an altitude of 800 meters of higher are fairly snow safe (snow in Freiburg definitely very unlikely at Christmas).

There are hotels esp. in this area offering special Christmas packages.

> event
Christmas Eve is really a family affair in Germany. Thus apart from Christmas church services rather "event" free.

> castles
Maybe not exactly for Christmas, but staying in a castle is certainly something your kids will like. There are also castle hostels offering family rooms.
E.g Diez castles (not far from Frankfurt and even closer to the Middle Rhine Valley)
http://www.diejugendherbergen.de/die-jugendherbergen-auf-einen-blick/diez/portrait
Für Familien besonders geeignet = especially suitable for families
Alle Zimmer mit Dusche und WC = all rooms with shower and WC en suite
or Burg Wernfels (between Rothenburg and Nuremberg)
http://www.wernfels.jugendherberge.de/
There are some 50 more. No shortage of castles as such at all in Germany.

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