On the recommendation of a friend, we added the charming Bavarian town of Prien am Chiemsee, Germany to our Christmas Germany and Austria trip itinerary. What a great suggestion it was! Here are a few photos that I hope capture the evening and following morning in Prien am Chiemsee.
Silent Night
We arrived by train from Munich about an hour away. After checking in to the Hotel Bayerischer Hof near the station, we took a walk around in the light snow. The feeling I got matched how I’d always pictured a small Bavarian town.
The quiet of Prien am Chiemsee was little broken by traffic.
The light snow cooperated adding the perfect touch to a Christmastime Bavarian village.
The small Christmas market was closed and because we forgot to stop by the following evening before heading on to Salzburg, we won’t count it in the quest to match Laurel’s record of 17 Christmas markets in one season.
The fallen snow and decorations all worked together with the quiet creating a perfect mood.
There were few cars and fewer pedestrians on the streets of Prien am Chiemsee.
Bavarian Sunrise
The peaceful evening was replaced the next morning with a beautiful sunrise and our first clear view of the Alps.
The harbor in Prien am Chiemsee on the following morning set the scene for our excitement of the trip ahead to the islands of Lake Chiemsee with a unique Christmas Market and King Ludwig II’s castle. More to come on these and other stops on our Germany and Austria Christmas tour.
It sure looks quiet. Beautiful view of the sunrise and the Alps.
It was such a great way to wake up in the morning — to a view of the Alps!
Too bad the market was closed, but the town itself is adorable! How perfect with the little snowflakes coming down. 🙂
Perfect, indeed. Just as I’d hoped it would be.
What a great holiday experience…love the pics with the snow:)
Snow + Christmas = nice. 🙂
Normally seeing snow this time of year is depressing (We’ve got enough of it here), but when you put it in the context of these cute little Christmas villages, it really does look beautiful.
I know how depressing snow can be when winter goes on so long in some places, it sure does set the right mood at times.
Looks like a nice little German town & market! I visited some small town Christmas markets last winter and enjoyed them more than the bigger ones here in Berlin.
My very first Christmas market was at Charlottenburg in Berlin. Ever since, I’ve been addicted. 🙂
I believe Christmas markets can only get better with increasing proximity to the Alps. 🙂
I think you might be right about that, Henry. 🙂
I’m soooo glad to hear that you liked it, whew! I think it’s such a beautiful place and you captured it wonderfully with your photos. You’ll just have to come back next year to see all the Christmas markets you missed :). Thanks for the mention!
Thanks, Laurel. Yeah, I think a yearly trip would suit me well.
Prien has been on my list for way too long! Loved your pictures and can’t wait to see this for myself. I also can’t wait to hear about your trip to the island and castle 🙂
I hadn’t heard of Prien until Laurel recommended it. Totally worth a visit!
It looks like a very peaceful town. I think it will be hard for anyone to match Laurel’s record of 17 markets!
It was very peaceful at night. A bit busier in the daytime, but still very charming.
But such a fun challenge to take on…. 🙂
It looks like my ideal Bavarian village straight out of a storybook. What a charming place! Adding it to my growing list of places to visit this summer while over there. Love the picture with the snow falling! Can’t wait for King Ludwig’s castle post!
King Ludwig post coming soon!
Looks very pretty and quaint!
I was so pleasantly surprised walking from the railway station to find such a charming town.
Talk about a picture-perfect stop! Love your photos. . .you brought the village so quietly to life.
Thanks, Jackie!
I don’t much care for snow when I have to deal with it during the winter but it certainly makes for beautiful photos! This looks like such a charming village – Laurel obviously gives great recommendations! One of my travel wishes is to get to Europe pre-Christmas sometime to enjoy all the Christmas markets and festivities. Sounds like you had a lovely trip – looking forward to hearing more about it.
I remember what it was like to deal with snow, cold and ice for a long winter — much different to enjoy a little holiday snow.
The perfect Christmas town. I can see Santa sweeping in with all the reindeer 🙂
The scene does conjure up such an image, doesn’t it?
What a gorgeous town. They all look so beautiful with the light and the snow. One year I’d love to experience a white Xmas!
Here’s to you enjoying a white Christmas sometime — I think you’d love it!
I am really enjoying these photos because they are putting me in the Christmas mood. It’s such a contrast to the tropical moderate-Muslim country where I am right now that does NOT feel Christmasy.
I’m happy that I was able to help get you in the Christmas spirit! Merry Christmas!
I loved the Christmas markets in Austria, didn’t get to the ones in Germany. I really want to explore the smaller German towns because we only hit the larger cities.
I definitely want to explore smaller towns. Most of my travel has been to the big cities. I love them too, but it’s such a different experience.
I really prefer warmer places, but snowy landscapes are always fantastic!
Colder climes are especially nice when you know you can move on to someplace warmer soon. 🙂
Lovely, Cathy. All the best for the rest of the trip, and a wonderful Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Andrew!
Beautiful photos of Germany! So how many markets did you end up visiting in all?
Well, the hubby is saying 18, but I think that might be including a couple of lonely gluwhein stands. I’ll get back to you with the final tally.
I really like the sunrise picture with the snow and mountains as a backdrop.
I was glad that I got up early and looked out the window to catch that scene!
Love the Christmas lights above the snow, and the view of the mountains. 17 markets in one season sounds ambitious, what’s your record so far? 🙂
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