Neuschwanstein is a must! Hofbrauhaus in Munich - best beer venue in the world.

Dresden! It is in the Saxony Region also very close to both Berlin (2 hours away) and Prague (2 hours away) in the Czech Republic. Dresden is not one of the largest cities but not a small town either. The Alt Stadt (old town) is a collection of churches, castles, palaces, theatres and opera houses all built 200 or so years ago, destroyed and burned during WW2 and rebuilt in the 1980's to 2000's. It is by far, my favorite place in the world.

The Dome in Cologne is worth a visit and Cologne has a good train connection to Paris. Berlin is also always a place to go.

Germany around the holidays is amazing. A must see is the Christmas Market in Nurnburg. Absolutely awesome. Also if you go to Neuschwanstein during the winter be aware. Although very beautiful you may have to walk up the mountain to reach it. When we went the weather was bad so the buses were not running. The y had horse drawn carriages but the wait was hours. Not a bad walk if you are able. My youngest was 5 and he made the trek no problem. The view once you arrive is all worth it. Also I would suggest maybe a day in Rothenburg. Its a very romantic town that is kind of Christmasy all year.

Visit Leipzig in December to see its world famous Christmas Market. Over 250 stalls of Food, Drink, Gifts, Brickabrack, laughter and fun! Well worth it. If you get there on the day it opens you will see the "Coca Cola Lorries". Its a Must!

A must is a day in Stuttgart on your way to Strasbourg, France. These are two of the best places to visit in the World. Especially in winter. However traffic on Autobahn 8 is living hell around Stuttgart in the a.m and around 1700.

Go to Johannesberg Germany and stay at the monastery! Big rooms with fantastic views of vineyards just right outside you can walk around in. The restaurant is fantastic, try the schnitzel (sp?) and don't forget the buffet breakfast. Of course the wine is excellent too.

Loire Valley castles!

I would stay in France more. Germany is beautiful but the winters are pretty harsh here. Pick the tourist spots along the Rhineland-Palatinate and try Luxembourg too

Munich is fun, I would spend no more than 2 full days (we did 3, but it was perfect weather and spent a lot of time in beer gardens). Neuschwanstein Castle in Fussen is a day trip from Munich and is amazing. A friend went in winter and it was snow covered and gorgeous. I went to Paris for Christmas this last year, and wasn't super impressed, besides there were less crowds. We froze our asses off. I do not recommend the Eiffel Tower on Christmas Day if it's windy. There aren't crowds for a reason! Nobody stayed up long because it was sooo cold. Visit Paris, but maybe try for some place outside Paris as well? Oh! Disneyland Paris was great on Christmas Eve :)

Christmas in Paris is a must!!!!

When travelling towards France from Munich, reserve a day for a stop in Stuttgart. You'll find the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum there, a must for anybody with the slightest interest in cars. Visiting the television tower will offer a super view over the city. If you manage to go in late November/early December have a walk over the christmas markets in Esslingen (one of the most beautiful middle age christmas markets) and Ludwigsburg (baroque city wih beautifully decorated stands on the market), both within half an hour drive from Stuttgart with suburban railways.

Visit the Christmas markets in Germany. Neuschwanstein Castle is the inspiration behind the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland. So if you get a chance to visit there... although I've never visited the castle in the winter so not sure how the snow conditions are in that town.

You can catch the train up to Garmisch-Partenkirchen from Munich, it's about an hour and half ride. I've never lived here during the winter so I don't know about snow conditions and travel but it's beautiful town at the base of the Bavarian Alps. It's a stunning area with lots to see...

Munich is amazing, the town is full of museums and very touristy shops. And if you drive about an hour out of town there are some amazing castles!!!