Packing for Winter Wonderland

  • Munich

    Early December in Munich is definitely winter—cold, often gray, and with a possibility of rain or snow.

    • Daytime: roughly 39–41°F (4–5°C)

    • Night: around 28–30°F (-2 to -1°C)

    • Rain: fairly common; December has precipitation on roughly a quarter of days.

    • Snow: possible, especially as temperatures fall below freezing, but a snowy city is not guaranteed.

    • Sky: December is quite cloudy, with limited sunshine.

    • Daylight: very short—sunset is around 4:20–4:30 PM in early December.

    Climate data specifically for the first 10 days puts average highs around 40°F and lows around 29°F.

    Vienna

    Vienna in early December is cold and wintry, very similar to Munich, although Vienna can sometimes feel a little less damp.

    • Daytime: generally around 38–42°F (3–6°C)

    • Night: typically 28–32°F (-2–0°C)

    • Rain: possible, with plenty of overcast days

    • Snow: possible but not guaranteed; you may get a dusting rather than a sustained snow cover

    • Daylight: very limited, with sunset around 4:00 PM

    • Feel: chilly, especially in the evening when you're walking around the Christmas markets.

    Salzburg

    Salzburg in early December is colder and more wintry than Vienna, largely because of its location near the Alps. ❄️

    • Daytime: usually around 35–40°F (2–4°C)

    • Night: around 25–30°F (-4 to -1°C)

    • Snow: quite possible, and generally more likely than in Vienna or Munich. You could get a beautiful dusting of snow around the Old Town.

    • Rain/sleet: also common, particularly when temperatures hover around freezing.

    • Sunshine: limited; expect plenty of cloudy days.

    • Daylight: sunset is roughly 4:15 PM in early December.

  • Outerwear

    • 1 beautiful warm wool/cashmere coat — your main coat

    • 1 lightweight packable down jacket for Salzburg or particularly cold evenings

    • 1 compact umbrella

    • Optional: water-resistant spray for leather shoes/boots

    Sweaters & tops

    • 3 cashmere sweaters

    • 2 merino-wool sweaters

    • 2 turtlenecks

    • 2 elegant blouses/silk tops for dinners

    • 2 lightweight layering tops/thermal camisoles

    Pants & skirts

    • 2 tailored wool trousers

    • 1 dark, elegant pair of jeans

    • 1 additional dressy trouser

    • 1 midi skirt if you enjoy wearing skirts

    • 1 pair of thermal leggings to wear underneath trousers on very cold days

    Evening

    • 1 elegant black dress or sophisticated dinner outfit

    • 1 dressier trouser + silk/cashmere top

    • 1 pair of statement earrings or jewelry

    • 1 small evening bag

    Shoes — keep this simple

    • 1 pair waterproof leather ankle boots with excellent traction — wear these most days

    • 1 elegant loafer or flat/dress shoe for dinners

    • Optional: a second pair of comfortable boots if you don't want to wear the same shoes every day

    Cold-weather accessories

    • 1 beautiful cashmere or wool scarf

    • Warm gloves

    • Wool/cashmere hat or earmuffs

    • 5–6 pairs warm wool socks

    • 2 pairs tights

    • Hand warmers — very useful for Christmas-market evenings

    • Hairdryers will be provided in each villa bathroom. However, if you want to bring a hair tool  it will need to be dual voltage with a European plug. I recommend this one.

    • If your personal items are in your carry-on luggage, they need to be in 3.4oz/100ml containers inside a 1-quart size clear bag. Exemptions include liquid medications. Read here for more details.

    • Remember to bring enough prescription medications and/or vitamins to last for the entirety of your trip. I like this color-coded pill box.

    • Pack ear plugs, an eye mask, and a neck pillow in your carry-on for the plane. I also recommend a cozy pair of socks if you aren’t wearing any already to keep your feet warm and comfortable.

    • Melatonin or Good Day sleep chocolates can be helpful for sleeping on the plane and after arrival.

    • Jet Zone can help mitigate the effects of jet lag.

    • Good Day energy chocolates and peppermint essential oil can help you stay awake after you land.