Germany - Is there a half term end of May?

[hotpotmama]

And if so do you know the dates or does it vary by area?

We are thinking of going to Germany for the UK half term (break up from school on the 28th)

Thanks.

As far as I can remember (it's been a few years since I lived in Germany but the school system is very similar to Austria, where we live now), the school year is divided into two semesters instead of three terms with a one-week break between the semesters (around February time). As far as visiting in May is concerned, I think that schools in most regions close for anything from a day to a week or so for the Whitsun holidays. Whereabouts in Germany are you thinking of going?

Bavaria or around salzburg in austria. Am finding it impossible to find a child friendly bauernhof that is available in August so am wondering if it is easier to find somewhere half term.

Do Germans and Austrians book their holiday a year in advance do you know? I think I will have to book for 2011 at this rate!

Have just found this list of school holidays in Germany in 2010, which might be quite useful.

Yes, quite a lot of families (not us!) do tend to book a year in advance - I'm sure it would be a bit easier to find somewhere at half-term. According to the list I just linked to, the Whitsun holidays in Bavaria are from 14-25 May. Whitsun is just a long weekend here in Austria (Whit Monday is a bank holiday and schools are closed on the Tuesday too) - can't remember exactly when that is though; I'll go and look it up! I can definitely recommend the Salzburg area if you do come to Austria; we spent our last summer holiday there (at Lake Wolfgang) and the children had a great time - it's a beautiful area too.

half term for us usually kind of coincides with schools near Frankfurt and our half term is May 31st to June 4th.

Thanks for the link alberita. It reads to me like Bavaria has holidays between 25/5 and 5/6. Am I reading it wrong?

Thanks Lou.

Do Germans and Austrians tend to go away at half term? (hoping you say no they all stay at home!!!)

Sorry, was looking at Berlin by mistake!

I don't know about Germany but Austrians tend to go away more in the semester break in February (usually skiing!) as we get a whole week off then - not so much in May, although the weekend of the 22nd/23rd would probably be busier than a normal weekend with the bank holiday on the 24th. It would still be far quieter than in August though, especially if you're thinking about staying on a farm, which most people would do for a week in the summer rather than a weekend in May (or any time outside the summer holidays).

Ok cool. May be able to find somewhere then!

Thanks so much, helps a lot when you can ask a local. You don't by any chance have a bauernhof holiday flat in your garden do you?

Afraid not - just a small tent and a garden the size of a postage stamp, which probably isn't exactly what you were looking for. Plus we're a couple of hours away from Salzburg... Good luck with your search, anyway!

Thanks again. You are very lucky living in Austria. Would give anything to be skiing there like we used to pre-kids (or rather apres skiing!)