My daughter, Melissa, has given me a wonderful birthday present--a trip, together, visiting Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria. Airline reservations have been made and a tentative route is in place. We have six days on the ground to zip around in our compact, automatic car. Melissa's only request is Schnitzel and Gluhwein.
As I go over and over in my mind and on paper our route, it's hard to limit what we can see in six days. I also find it hard to pin myself down to an itinerary. This is not my way of travel. I like to see where my travels take me and then search out lodging. However, with only six days, we need to have a plan and lodging reservations in place. Fortunately, the reservations I have made, with the exception of Best Western, do not require a credit card.
Our current plan is to spend our first night in Oestrich-Winkel, 30km from the Frankfurt Flughafen. After soaking in the vineyards and the Rhein, we will make our way to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We have reservations at a pension within the walls so that we can fully partake in their Christmas market festivities--Gluhwein. After we enjoy a typical German breakfast, we will make our way south to Stuttgart and Esslingen. We will spend our third night outside of Memmingen in Erkheim. I have a reservation in a zimmer at a Baurenhof (farm house). Currently, the next two nights will be spent on the outskirts of Salzburg. We would not only like to see their market, but also the market in St. Wolfgang. In my email with Frau Ballwein, she has said they already have snow in Salzburg. The next day is open. Where do we go from Salzburg? Innsbruck, Unterammergau or? The weather may make the decision for us. The day before we depart from the Munich airport, will go to the Munich market and spend the night at the Best Western in Erding.
A quick trip, yes. However, full of fun and adventure with one of my absolutely favorite travel buddies. Can't wait.
