I graduated from college a few weeks ago, but will be spending most of the summer in radiation therapy so I’m not looking for full-time work yet. Instead I’m planning the vacation I’ve been dreaming of for ages…I’m going to go to Bavaria!
Yes, of all the places on earth, I want to go to Bavaria. Don’t give me a hard time about this. I like big pretzels, okay?
I was originally planning to go in September, since I’ll be out of radiation by late July/early August and I figure it’s best to avoid the Oktoberfest rush. I’m not a drinker myself, and I’m sure not going to pay higher travel prices just so other people can spill beer on me. However, it looks like airfare drops by as much as half beginning in November.
Thing is, I realize the shoulder season is the shoulder season for a reason. The travel guides I’ve found say the weather in southern Germany ranges from unreliable to lousy from November to April. This tends to keep most tourists away, which is good, but I’m afraid that either it will be bad enough to make me wish I’d stayed away or that many tourist attractions will be closed.
So gang, what’s the Straight Dope on Bavaria in the autumn? I’m primarily interested in Munich and the Chiemsee area. Is September so much better than November that it’s worth the much more expensive airfare? Do sites of historical and touristical interest tend to stay open into the winter? Are there any spots German Dopers or Dopers who have visited Germany especially recommend I see? How about ones you’d especially recommend I avoid? When do the leaves usually change? How’s the weather? I’m not a total weather wimp, but I prefer not to be rained on heavily and that the temperature be warm enough that I don’t need to bother taking a big coat.