Winter Europe Trip: Quick Summary
The quick summary should help with general pointers, and I also have a detailed blog, but thats too detailed and I write it as part of my way of cherishing memories. So feel free to skip that.
This was a winter trip during the December holidays, and it’s essential to prepare for the cold weather and set realistic expectations. Here’s a concise overview of our itinerary and key recommendations:
Itinerary Highlights
12 days including travel
Munich :
- Day 1 : Arrived in Munich; explored the Christmas market at night.
- Day 2 : Took a walking tour, had lunch, and visited the English Garden.
- Day 3 : Drove 2 hours to a castle and experienced a medieval Christmas market.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
- Day 4 : Drove 2.5 hours, explored Rothenburg, and returned to Munich.
Partnach Gorge & Salzburg:
- Day 5: Visited Partnach Gorge (around 3 hours total).
- Day 5 : Drove to Salzburg; toured the salt mines and attended midnight mass at Salzburg Cathedral.
Salzburg:
- Day 6 : Enjoyed the Sound of Music tour, Salzburg Christmas market, and a classical music concert in the HohenSalzburg fort.
Hallstatt:
•Day 7 : Drove to 5 Fingers, hiked, and explored Hallstatt.
Prague:
- Day 8 : Walked around Salzburg and drove to Prague;
- Day 9 : Took a walking tour and explored the Christmas market.
- Day 10 : Spent the next day exploring Prague further.
Return to Munich:
- Day 11 : Spent half a day in Prague before driving back to Munich
- Day 12 : Breakfast in Munich and flying home to San Francisco.
Key Recommendations
Winter Travel Essentials
- Pack thermals, gloves, beanies, scarves, jackets, fleece pants, and sturdy winter boots.
- In a winter trip, thermals, gloves, beenie, scarf and jacket and fleece pants and good shoes play a big role in how comfortable you feel and they felt like major characters in this trip for us. So these are absolute essentials. We packed 3 thermal sets each, and re-used 2-3 fleece pants, 2 jackets and enough woolen socks for each apart from essential other clothing items
- I had my boots which was not apt for winter so on couple of days when it was really cold or it got wet, I could feel the chillness. Poor footwear can ruin your experience, so invest in insulated winter boots.
Weather Considerations
- Expect delays: snow and cold weather can make hikes (like Hallstatt) slower and may force changes in plans. We also had to move the Partnach Gorge hike to a different day based on weather conditions
- Embrace the cold: once acclimated, you’ll enjoy the festive energy as everyone braves the weather.
Holiday Vibes & Christmas Markets
The beauty in summer is very different from the holiday vibe in winter. If you are coming for natural beauty with greenery, this is not the time. But if you enjoy holiday vibes and want to experience it in Europe, then you will enjoy.
- Visit 2–3 markets in cities you genuinely want to explore, that way you get to enjoy the city for other things other than christmas markets . After a few christmas markets, the experience can feel repetitive.
- Carry cash, as most Christmas markets don’t accept cards.
- Vegetarian options are available in christmas markets, but please make sure of ingredients before you buy if you are a vegetarian.; prioritize trying 1–2 festive items you’re excited about.
The Holiday vibe : this is simply great in Europe. And they also know how to do their Christmas right. Everyone even in the cold is out and about which in itself very cheerful.
Food & Dining
- Bavarian, Austrian, and Czech cuisines were enjoyable in parts but heavy overall.
- We opted for variety, including Indian, Italian, and Thai.
- Use Wolt instead of Uber Eats for food delivery.
Logistics
- Driving was convenient for intercity travel, but parking can be a challenge in city centers like Munich and Prague.
- Within cities, we walked or used Uber (very affordable in Prague).
- You need to get the Vignete, which is a pass to take your car between cities. This can be purchased online. We got a Vignete online to go to Austria, and one for Prague.
Hotels
- In Munich and Prague, our hotels were in the old city. It was convinient to walk around etc.
- In Salzburg, our airbnb was 10 minutes away from the Salzburg old town center. But uber was cheap, so if you wanted to avoid parking, uber is a convinient option
City Impressions
- Munich: Lively town center; the walking tour and Partnach Gorge were highlights. The castle visit was nice but not a must-see.
- Rothenburg: Stunning and highly recommended!
- Salzburg: Elegant and charming, with a vibe that must be magical in summer.
- Hallstatt: Small but breathtaking. Public transport is recommended due to limited parking.
- Prague: Vibrant and mystical, with its dark architecture and lively energy. We loved our time here.
Attractions: Hits and Misses
- Highly Recommend:
- Munich Walking Tour - a great way to know the city
- Rothenburg
- Partnach Gorge
- Sound of Music Tour ( a well planned tour, highly recommend watching the movie before you take this tour)
- Salzburg Classical Music Concert :
- kids might feel bored, but otherwise really nice experience
- Prague Walking Tour( again very nice to know about Prague)
- Prague Castle (exterior).
- Hallstat and Five fingers hike (better in summer, but doable in winter)
- Midnight Mass in Salzburg Cathedral : Something I enjoyed, because I was there in Salzburg on Dec 24th night.
- Optional:
- Neuschwanstein Castle (skip the interior tour if pressed for time).
- Salzburg Salt Mines (fun for kids, but not essential).
- Medieval Christmas Market outside of Munich : It was a bit chilly, and a little away from Munich.
- I used Guru Walks - free walking tour to book walking tours in Munich and in Prague.
Food Highlights
- Munich/Rothenburg: Kartoffeln spirals, Apfelkucherl (potato cakes), Flammlachs (salmon bun), Kaiserschmarrn (sweet pancake).
- Salzburg: Germknödel, roasted chestnuts, Mozartkugel (chocolate).
- Prague Christmas Market: Sauerkraut, sausage potatoes, waffles, grilled cheese with jam.
Restaurants We Enjoyed
- Munich/Rothenburg: Hofbräuhaus, Rabiang Thai, Coffee Fellows, Cafe & Bäckerei Mauerer
- Salzburg: Zaffran Indian Cuisine, Café Mozart, Café Braun in Mondsee, Hotel Stein - lovely view of Salzburg from here
- Prague: Lokal (for beer), Sangam Indian Restaurant, Vicep for Czech food,cafe 420, Cerna Madonna and our most favorite Cafe Letka
Some Thoughts
Winter in Europe is not just about the destinations but also the atmosphere. The holiday spirit, beautiful markets, and snowy landscapes make it unique. However, it requires flexibility, preparation, and the right mindset to embrace the cold.
