Christmas in Bavaria, Germany — A Bucket List Wish Come True
All of you who read and follow my blog know by now that I am not German.
But some of you know from reading my blog posts that I am married to a man that is of half-German descent. With his mother’s maiden name of “Heidenreich” , how could one be more (half) German?
It has always been a LIFE-LONG dream of mine, years before the term ‘bucket list’ was ever known, to spend Christmas in Bavaria, Germany. My wish came true through unexpectedly, of all things, my career in education. This spring the faculty at my university were presented an opportunity to write proposals to teach in Germany.
I took a chance and wrote a proposal to teach for one week.
My proposal was accepted by a university near Munich in Bavaria for one week in December. I intentionally requested December, in between semesters, because I knew that I could not do this in the summer due to my responsibilities around the acreage, our gardens, and all of the harvesting, canning and preserving vegetables, and tending to our horses, etc.
After what I can seriously say was a year of challenges at work and with the passing of my mother, I can truly thank the Lord for this blessing!
SO, along with prepping for my one week class, I have been spending my evenings reading numerous web-sites on the endless sights to see and experience in Bavaria during the beautiful winter month of December. As well as making reservations for quaint, non-chain hotels, my favorite part of planning has been discovering highly recommended eateries with authentic German cuisine (think: Snitzel, Strudel, and Black Forest Cake – – oh my!) to enjoy and share with each of you here, along with many memorable excursions during this high tourism season in Bavaria.
I have to tell you that these Bavarian tourism web-sites are so enticing, that I feel as if I am already in in the foothills of the Alps themselves!
Oh what a bucket list dream wish to come true!
After my one week seminar to German college students, my husband (Mr. M. & P. aka: Mr. Meat and Potatoes) will join me for 10 additional days for touring Bavaria, with a musical 2-day side-trip to Salzburg, Austria. Bill has had nothing to do with any of the planning, since that’s just the way that he prefers to travel . . . just going along wherever and whatever I have on our itinerary — that’s the way that we roll in our travel adventures. And he truly likes it that way!
I am so out-of-my-mind excited!
If there is something or some place that you know of that is a ‘can’t-be-missed’ place or destination for us to experience during our trip to Bavaria, Germany this December, could you please comment and let me know? We have never been to Bavaria before so any and all recommendations will be greatly appreciated! It wouldl be my pleasure to share your name (if you want), and/or your blog (again, only if you want) with my readers.
Grazie, oh I mean, “Danke” (German) for your advice and tips!
Oh and if you’re interested in any of the many places on this beautiful planet that my husband have visited with high recommendations to dine or experience, just go to the ‘search’ link on the right hand side bar and enter ‘travel’ OR BETTER YET, go to the ‘category’ search option and click on ‘travel’ for tons of our personal recommendations for a variety of destinations that you will enjoy!
My husband and I are very picky travelers and diners and we will only share the best places for you to dine and experience from wherever the road takes us on our travels!
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You are lucky to be able to be in Bavaria in december. I hope for you that snow is coming soon.
I very much recommend Regensburg, a medieval town located on the Danube with its old bridge from 1135 and its 4 christmas markets. It is about 1,5 hours by train north of Munich and about 1 hour by train east of Nuremberg. I recommend the oldest bratwurst-place in the world: Wurstkuchl http://www.wurstkuchl.de/, have Dampfnudeln, a traditional sweet dish from the south of Germany in a medieval chappel: http://www.dampfnudel-uli.de/index.php?id=3 and finally: stay at that marvellous Hotel Orphée or at least enjoy there food: http://hotel-orphee.de/.
If you haven’t been to Regensburg, you have not been to Bavaria! Have a nice time!
Dear Birgit! What a lovely name! I love it! Thank you for giving us such wonderful tips for our trip to Bavaria in December. They were SO HELPFUL! What a beautiful place, just as you said! We dream of returning someday again!
Roz
Roz,
I’m so happy for you. I’ve never been to Germany, so I can’t give you any places to eat.
Annamaria
We found so many great places to eat some truly amazing German cuisine, Annamaria. If you ever go, please let me know so I can give you some ideas.
Roz
Bavaria sounds amazing! That will be an amazing experience for sure!
Thank you Mason! It was truly amazing as you said! I hope you enjoy the posts of our trip to Bavaria! Thanks for stopping by!
Roz
I am beyond excited for you as well. Brings back such great memories of our Christmas’ in Bavaria but this was a long time ago although it seems like it was just yesterday. Hubby was stationed in Grafenwohr, an army base in Bavaria. We lived there for two years and relished the German culture especially during Christmas. Here are my suggestions if you don’t already have them on your list:
– A church service if possible
– Go to “crystal” country (that’s what we Americans called it) and I believe it was in the town of Neustadt an der Waldnaab and Passau
– Rothenburg – the year round Christmas town (look out for kitties sitting in their windows)
– Kristlenacht – Germany’s famous and largest outdoor Christmas market located in Nurnburg. You’ll also find outdoor vendors roasting fresh chestnuts
Oh what great memories!! I hope and pray to go back again some day.
Frohe Weinachten!
Bev
(former blogger from I Savor the Weekend)
– and if you’re in the Eschenbach area, visit the Nutcracker factory – it’s so cool and festive
Hi Bev,
I’ve been meaning to get back to you about all of the wonderful tips that you gave me for our trip to Bavaria in December. We enjoyed them so much. We hope to be able to return again someday; especially at Christmas! It was magical! I hope that you enjoy the posts that I have shared this past January after our return. I have so much more to share from this beautiful place!
Roz
Hi Roz, I’m so excited for you. My husband and I travel to Germany and Austria almost every year and have spent two Christmases there. I wrote a post last December (8th) about past visits at that time. I’ve written often about other trips there as well. You can type Germany or Austria into my search button to see where we have traveled. I know you will have a wonderful time. Plan on warm clothing…we’ve had snow each time we have been there in December. Let me know if I can help.
Karen,
Your posts were SOOOO helpful for me in planning our trip to Bavaria in December. I envy you that you can visit every year! We hope to be able to return at least once and we’d be thrilled to go back to such a beautiful (and delicious) place!
Thank you again for your tips,
Roz
Wow, Roz, that is so exciting! I am so happy for you. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip, see pictures, and look forward to reading about the food there as well. Isn’t it fun to plan a trip? I enjoy that almost as much as going. By the way, I don’t think I am getting your e-mail notifications anymore. I don’t know why. I am going to sign up again just in case. Happy planning!
Shari, Our trip to Bavaria was simply amazing. So much so that we hope to return again someday! I have been posting about it in January and hope you enjoy the photos! It was truly a trip of a lifetime!
Roz
Roz, how exciting! I have not been back to my Mutti’s homeland of Bavaria in 20 years. We are going there next October! My parents met and married in Salzburg, and Linda’s recommendations are spot on. If you can, see if you can visit Bad Reichenhall (or just google it). It’s my mother’s home town and just a yodel away from Salzburg. It’s a sister city to Baden Baden, and is a very beautiful city….though the beautiful parks might be closed in the winter. You can tour the salt mines, that date back to the times of the Romans. The last time I was there, with my Mutti, we toured King Ludwig’s castles. Of course Fuessen is a lovely place to stay/visit to see the Sleeping Beauty Castle (Neuschwanstein). We also went to Linderhof, and Oberammergau. For me, it’s all about the beer. I can’t wait to eat fresh baked semmel (rolls) with butter, farm-raised eggs (with dark orange yolks), schnitzel, spaetzle and so much more. I remember the Krist Kindl market in Nurenberg…and I do hope that you make it there. How exciting! I will be asking you for recommendations when you return.
HI Debby,
Everything that you recommended for us to see in Bavaria was just jaw-dropping gorgeous. What a beautiful region of the world and oh so delicious in every single thing that we gobbled up! We are already hoping for a return!
xo
Roz
This sounds absolutely perfect. Once-upon-a-time I studied in Austria and it was unforgettable. I was poor as a church mouse and if I did any fine dining – have no memory. But I do have grand remembrances of schnitzel, Austrian’s version of Chateaubriand (which four or five us of would chip in to afford). It’s beautiful country and it will be all that you hope it to be.
Hi Claudia, the trip to Bavaria and Austria was incredible and so very memorable. We too, ate our way through both countries with many versions of schnitzel and strudel! Totally delicious everywhere that totally matched the beauty around us!
xo
Roz
Excellent, Roz! That’s great! We lived in Bavaria while Bill was in the Army and it was awesome traveling around . Bavaria is like something out of a fairy tale, truly gorgeous with many terrific things to do around the holidays. You will definitely have to ride up to the top of the Zugspitze! Garmisch is awesome! Enjoy, enjoy!
Wow, Pam! That’s so wonderful that you were able to live in Bavaria for some time with Bill! I think that to truly appreciate it, one needs to spend a long period of time there! One week certainly just wet our appetite and we hope to return again very soon someday! Yes, like you said, it felt as if being in a fairy tale!
xo
Roz
Wow Roz this is an amazing opportunity! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip when you return!
Congrats !! And take lots of photos too! Un Bacio forte!
Anna and Liz
Thank you Liz and Anna! Our trip to Bavaria will never forgotten; just an amazing place!
Hugs,
Roz
Oh how wonderful for you Roz. You are going to love it. It’s going to be beautiful at that time of year. I’ve been to Bavaria and to Salzburg, but have few recommendations since I can’t remember the names of the restaurants we went to. But do seek out Mozart’s home in Salzburg and while you’re there, you must order their dessert specialty – salzburger nockerl, a kind of a souffle that’s arranged like mountain peaks, and served with a raspberry sauce. Oh and the sacher torte too, with lots of whipped cream. A previous commenter mentioned Garmisch and I agree, it’s a lovely place and worth spending some time there.
I appreciated your thoughts so much for our trip, Linda. I certainly enjoyed Mozart’s home and the special desserts of Salzburg. I can’t remember how many times we ordered the sacher torte! What a decadent chocolate dream of a treat!
Thank you again,
Roz
Roz, you have a lot to be excited about! Christmas in Germany is going to be a wonderful experience. I hope it snows for you too. The Christmas markets are wonderful and Salzburg Austria is drop dead stunning. Congratulations!!!
Velva
You are absolutely right, Velva about Germany and Austria at Christmas. If we’re fortunate enough, we’ll be returning again some day!
Roz
I never went to Bavaria, Christmas is just around the corner, I hope your dream come true !Un abbraccio Roz
Bavaria was everything that I thought it would be and more, Chiara! We hope to visit again!
xo
Roz
Oh Roz! What a fabulous opportunity . Congratulations! I’ve never been there, but your photos are inviting!
I was a teacher in a private prep school before I retired , and we used to have opportunities to travel over the breaks as well.. so exciting!!! Enjoy..
Judee, this was a trip of a lifetime, as dreamed of. I hope you can visit too!
Roz
That does sound a dream come true and something I believe I would also enjoy. Having been to Bavaria a couple of times in the summer, I’ll look forward to seeing it in winter through your eyes. We stayed twice at the Eibsee Hotel (base of the Zugspize), near Garmish and really liked it as well as the town.
It was such a great trip! We can’t wait to return again, Larry!
Roz