Christmas in Austria

We are planning a two week Christmas holiday, one week in Austria and perhaps the second week in Prague? Seefeld sounds beautiful. We are thinking of staying in a village rather than on the mountain as skiing is not a priority, however we would like to be nearby. Is Seefeld a good choice or if anyone has any other suggestions I would be very grateful. Also, what are the driving conditions like in December, we have never driven in snow before and this is our first time to Europe at this time of year. Is it adviseable to get around by train or bus instead? Also any suggestion of places to stay would be appreciated. Thanks

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I%26#39;m trying to select a ski resort for next Xmas too, so I%26#39;m glad you started this thread!

Seefeld looks good, based on my research, with plenty for non-skiiers (something we are looking for too). I haven%26#39;t actually stayed there before though - just visited while staying elsewhere. Kaprun %26amp; Zell Am See also look good. St Wolfgang looks good for non skiers - plenty to do, but the slopes are a 30-60 minute bus ride away - it%26#39;s not really a ski resport, more a %26quot;winter wonderland%26quot; and the hotels there seem cheaper as a result of this.

Based on my previous ski trips to Austria, I would expect the main roads to be clear of snow, but there will be snow on the roads in the villages. It may be icy, depending on weather conditions, so it depends how confident you are behind the wheel! You should have snow chains and a spade - these may even be legal requirements (check the AA or RAC web sites for legal requirements for driving abroad).

Seefeld has a train station, so getting around by train would be a viable option from there (Innsbruck is quite close for a day trip). Most Austrian ski resorts have ski buses, usually free if you have a lift pass (and nobody checks if you don%26#39;t - I%26#39;ve tried to pay but not been able to!). These tend to get crowded though, but are a way to get around.

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Staying in Innsbruck is also a good option...and you can take a short and cheap train to Seefeld if you want to visit. Innsbruck has alot of great sites for non skiers - palaces, museums, restaurants, cafes, shops etc (see other reponses I%26#39;ve made for more detailed info on places to see etc)Also starting in mid-December you can take free ski buses to local ski areas such as Axamer Lizum, Schlick and the Stubai Glacier. I visit Innsbruck every January and have never visited in December...but I have heard the Kris Kringle market in the Old Town is a real treat. I have been to Seefeld and it is a very beautiful/idlyllic alpine town...but it might get boring for the non-skiers in your group. The other great thing about Innsbruck is most of the hotels (I stay at the Hotel Innsbruck)can help you arrange very affordable day trips to places like Salzburg, Oberamagau/Neuschwanstein (Mad King Ludwig%26#39;s Castle - the one Disney tried to copy), Bolzano (Italy) and even Venice and St. Mortitz. A lift pass (Super Ski Pass I think) will also get you a day of skiing at Kitzbuhel and a day at St. Anton (not to be missed if you love to ski).

Enjoy your time in the Tirol!!!

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I would opt for staying in Seefeld. It is a beautiful town with wonderful hotels, restaurants, shops and loaded with charm and extremely picturesque. We have stayed there 5 times just after Christmas and it is like a fairy tale, complete with horse drawn carriages. They have wonderful walkways with quaint little restaurants to stop and have a hot drink and soup. We are cross country skiers so cannot vouch for the downhill but take the ride to the top and enjoy the wonderful view and have lunch. There are two different downhill ski areas in Seefeld. Innsbruck is 1/2 hour away by train and we enjoy day trips there but much prefer staying in Seefeld. You are also only 20 minutes train ride to Mittenwald, Germany from Seefeld and all the beautiful painted buildings there and about 40 minutes from Garmisch, Germany by train.

www.en.hotels-in-seefeld-austria.venere.com/

www.walkseefeld.com

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Good to read another post from an Aussie. We were just in Fussen Sth Germany at Christmas and travelled by train around the place. Our first white Christmas, just magical indeed. Cars on the roads seem to have no trouble at all and we did have quite a bit of snow.

My husband and I are planning a white Christmas in Austria this Christmas and think we will choose Seefeld from what some of the posts are saying. We do not want to ski either just enjoy beautiful Austria.

You must try to be in Innsbruck or Salzburg for the Christmas markets, we have been to both and just enchanting. They start late in November.

Ofcourse we do have to try and get to Halstatt as it seems a place not to be missed. Very very picture postcard.

My husband and I are just living in Oxford for 4 years working and travelling when we can, and have fell in love with Austria and Germany!!! We usually travel by train, it is just very comfortable but always reserve a seat especially in the busy times.

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I have pictures from our last trip there if you would like to see them.

community.webshots.com/album/547179857czZDbt

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Here is an opinion from an Austrian. While Zell am See is a little town in the Alps and situated at its lake, Seefeld is a mountain village at 1200m above sea level, which makes driving more challenging. You have to master a steep (17%), but very wellk ept road to get from Innsbrucks Autobahn to Seefeld.

The climbing task by car s less challenging when you arrive from the German side, via Germisch Partenkirchen, the new host of the Ski-WC 2013. Munich is 2 hrs by train or car from Seefeld, Innsbruck 30 min, Bolzano (historical mountain town) 2 hrs sounthwards to Italy. The road might be dry on some days in January, but it is definitely snow covered in February. and sometimes closed for a few hours.

Zell lies between Innsbruck and Salzburg each about an hour%26#39;s distance. All kind of winter sports there, horse carts, but not so much culture. Its surely less expensive there than in Seefeld.

Seefeld lies on a plateau, meaning you have many flat roads for walking or diving once you have mastered that nasty %26quot;Zirl%26quot; mountain.

If you want to support your health as well as your cultural knowledge, think about 5star Dorint Sofitel Spa Hotel in Seefeld, they have quite attractive packages sometimes and multilingual staff. I wrote a report 3 days ago. Its close to the ski lifts and 10 min. from railway station or convention center. Nordic skking or walking is very easy to do from there.

Prague will be very crowded at this time, but it is worth seeing. Do not miss the much design museum, explaining a.o. the early success of printed artistic advertising. Seethe place where Mozart and Da Ponte talkted about the libretto of 2Don Giovanni%26quot;. Visit a Mozart concert in Smichov and see Rotunda Club, where Clinton played his saxophone.. My favourite hotel is Palace, close to Vaclevskeho namesti.

Go from Innsbruck to Prague via Salzburg, Linz (electronic art museum), Kefermarkt (medieval church) and Budweis (fthe amous original CZ brewery)

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just a little bit of a warning about zell for skiers - went there a few years ago and pretty much no snow at xmas...kaprun is down the road and is pretty much snow sure but as a result of the lack of snow in zell it was pretty packed!

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My family are coming to Seefeld this Christmas. I first came to Seefeld about 4 years ago during January and it was absolutely magical - a true winter wonderland. I promised myself I would save up and go back for christmas, which is exactly what I have done. You will not be disappointed. It has everything - great hotels, lots to do, atmosphere and is stunningly beautiful! I stayed in the 5 star Astoria which was amazing, but all of the hotels are generally of a good standard in the resort. This year we are in the Larchenhof which was recomended to me. Have a fantastic time!!!!

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I am planning a 3/4 days trip to Salzburg at xmas. It hasnt started to snow yet which was why I wanted to go. Anyone know when the snow normally starts etc.

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I am planning a 3/4 days trip to Salzburg at xmas. It hasnt started to snow yet which was why I wanted to go. Anyone know when the snow normally starts etc.