We are leaving three weeks from today for a 16-day holiday trip to Europe. We are not taking the "slow travel" approach this time around-- sorry! Part of our trip will take us back to familiar destinations: Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps (3 nights) and then Salzburg for Christmas (4 nights). We are even staying in hotels where we've stayed twice before! We also spent Christmas 1999 in Salzburg-- it is a magical city at any time of the years, but an especially wonderful place for Christmas.

After Christmas we're off to new experiences: 3 nights in Vienna (which I've visited once, but my husband and daughter haven't) and 3 nights in Prague (where my husband worked for three weeks about eight years ago, but is new to my daughter and me). Finally we end up in Munich for 3 nights. I was born in Munich (though I have no memories my "babyhood" in Germany), and have been there three times in the past 12 years... it is a special place for our family.

I'm interested in any suggestions about Vienna or Prague. (We already have concert tickets in Vienna...) Also, if anyone has any questions about the Bavarian Alps, Salzburg or Munich, I'd be glad to answer!

I'm afraid my suggestion is not about the places you asked about, but since you'll be in the neighborhood (sort of!) may I suggest you stop in Dresden if you can. The art museum there is excellent, and just walking around the city, learning it's WW2 history, is an experience.

Libbie