Travel plan idea blog

Winter tips for Germany (and nearby areas)

It's been a while, but the tour guide I met in Munich for a day trip to Salzburg is back with some more tips for us.

Today I’d like to give everyone a few tips about traveling around Germany in the winter. I’m a tour guide myself, giving tours around Munich. The tips are also based on my constant travels around Germany as well. (Much of which is done in the winter as tour guides such as myself are too busy in the summer).

Germany, as far as temperatures and weather, is certainly not Florida; however it is by no means Minnesota either. Compare something closer to Seattle. You should expect snow, but you will probably have equal chances of rain, even in January. I recommend a waterproof winter jacket.

Tour companies in major cities operate year round. That being said, in Munich nearly half of the companies disappear from November to April because they operate purely on brochures in the hotels and begging people to join their tour at their meeting point, which is no doubt outside and cold. To be sure to get a tour, look for companies that have physical offices, most companies surprisingly do not have an office. The companies with offices are the ones that operate year round and probably also the ones most likely to give proper tours by professional guides.
Opening times for most sights are shorter in the off season, so if you want to see everything, get up earlier and go to bed earlier. Other than dance clubs which are similar all over the world, German cities (even beer halls) shut down around midnight anyways, so head back to the hotel and get some sleep so you can get up early.

Mike Richardson, The Professional Tourist

Posted by James Trotta at November 19, 2008 10:12 PM