Vienna, Salzburg or Munich - where to go in December?

[DreadingItBadly]

Posting for traffic, please forgive me.

Choosing a destination for a 4-5 day trip before Christmas. The idea is either Vienna or Salzburg+Munich. Travelling with 2 teens (14 and 18).

If you have been to any of the above, any advice/recommendations please?

can teens go to germany without quarantine now?

The older on is double-vaccinated, the younger one had one vaccine. Quarantine is not required

stricktly 2g (fully vaccinated or recovered) in those areas at the moment.

Following, thinking about Munich for next Christmas.

@purplesequins

stricktly 2g (fully vaccinated or recovered) in those areas at the moment.

disclaimer for access to shops, restaurants, attractions etc

Vienna would get my vote, a stunning and beautiful city at any time, but especially so around Christmas time.

I went to Salzburg (some years ago) in December and it was lovely. Horse and trap rides, ice skating, Christmas markets, twinkly lights everywhere.

Of those, around Christmas it would be Salzburg for me, though all 3 are well worth a visit.

Re: stricktly 2g (fully vaccinated or recovered) in those areas at the moment.

The younger one is recovered

Just a heads up that covid cases are exploding in Austria and the situation is not expected to ease till after New Years. There's a new level of regulation starting today where all adults and children over 12 need to be vaccinated in order to be allowed in restaurants, zoos, museums etc. You will need the EU Green Pass app for all family members. The same level of entry is also granted to people who have recovered from covid however the paperwork for that is quite extensive and I think it would be risky trying to prove a recovered status from overseas. A lab antibody test is not sufficient.. It requires combination of doctor's note, quarantine order, test results etc. There is also a mandatory FFP2 mask rule for all indoor areas in Austria.

The situation in Germany is worsening quickly as well but they have slightly more relaxed regulations, at least at the current point in time. To be honest, it's a risky time to be travelling to Germany or Austria because the situation is so volatile. There's no quarantine necessary from the UK though I feel it's only a matter of time before there's another travel warning or total flight ban. There are even talks of another complete lockdown.

does one vaccine count as fully vaccinated? not trying to be snarky BTW - I have a single vaxxed teen and a strong yearning to go back to Germany . Will be there like a shot if we're allowed.

Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities I've visited, but I also loved Munich so either would get my vote.

My concern is to have something to do which would make the teens happy (who are more into relaxed holidays) and DH (who is into culture). I am balancing those two objectives.

@TheTurn0fTheScrew

does one vaccine count as fully vaccinated? not trying to be snarky BTW - I have a single vaxxed teen and a strong yearning to go back to Germany . Will be there like a shot if we're allowed.

I understand that 1 vaccination is acceptable for those who have recovered. The 14yo teen had Covid in September

Any other views on the actual cities please?

Vienna is beautiful. I went alone just before lockdown last year and loved it.

Not been to Munich. Salzburg has Christmas museum and markets, castle, easy to travel beyond. Vienna more sophisticated, museums, art, trams, palaces, ice skating rink, trams. Flying into Salzburg can be hairy!

I was coming on to say Vienna out of the three but if it’s Vienna vs Salzburg AND Munich, I’m not so sure …
Sorry, not very helpful.
I’ll go Vienna, it felt a bit ‘cooler’ than Salzburg so maybe better for the teens?

Salzburg and Salzburg only! We went in December and it is magical.

We did 2 x days in the city; Mozart’s house, Sound of Music sights, Christmas markets, some beautiful churches, exploring the old town, Cafe Sacher.

Then 2 days we took buses/excursions up to Hallstadt to see the lake and town and also to St Wolfgang for more christmas markets and the mountain train. Take many layers of warm clothes but the scenery made me feel SO christmassy!

I’ve been to all 3 in December, I don’t think you can go wrong whichever choice you make. All great.

Munich! Christmassiest place in the world!

Oooh, I left Vienna yesterday and it’s ramping up for all the Christmas markets and the outside skate rink. It’s a beautiful city.

Just make sure you have a good supply of FFP2 masks, again they are sold everywhere. they are needed for everything and of course your green passes.

I’d go for Salzburg - as pp said for the chance to go to Hallstatt and the nearby lakes like St Wolfgang, etc!

Germany accepts one dose + recovery, IF the vaccination certificate reads 1/1 doses. If it’s 1/2 that will sometimes be refused, and I wouldn’t chance it. A recovery certificate on its own (less rhan 6 months old) is also valid though.

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of those three cities for Christmas atmosphere though!

Hungry? Stunning place with the Danube dividing Buda and Pest.