We were lucky enough to ski over the Thanksgiving holiday in Zermatt, Switzerland, home of the Matterhorn. It was a great trip and I highly recommend it. We went as part of a bus tour so all our arrangements were made for us which was very convenient as this was our first European ski experience.
  There are no cars in Zermatt and you have to take a train to get into town. You can find small electric taxis and delivery vehicles, similar to long enclosed golf carts, and the occasional bus, but that is the extent of traffic in this picturesque village.
  We had two days of really great weather and the third stayed cold and windy but eventually turned sunny in the afternoon. The biggest difference between US skiing and here is the  lack of trail markers. Bright orange poles mark the edge of a run but you can really ski anywhere that isn't roped off. They don't name their runs or mark the beginning so it's easy to get off track if you're not paying attention.  Trail maps are not as detailed as the ones you find in the US.
  For those who don't ski, there is plenty of shopping, hiking, snow shoeing, food, music and sightseeing to keep you busy.
  But no matter how you spend your days and nights, Zermatt is a trip worth taking!
  Hotel Review: We stayed at the Hotel Atlanta, which has a great central location, although not many amenities. The hotel is what we consider a "ski hotel," which means a place to shower and sleep but not much else. The breakfast was pretty sparse, the wi-fi was not working, and there is no hot tub or sauna. On the bright side it has a million dollar view of the Matterhorn, it is clean, and the location is perfect. 

  The beautifully preserved, walled village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a great day or weekend trip. There is more to see and do in this quaint town than can be accomplished in a day so if your itinerary can handle it, spend at least 2 days here.
  There are a few great ways to see Rothenburg; climb the town hall tower for a 360 panoramic view, walk the historic walls surrounding the city, and drive to the double-arched bridge in the valley below for some wonderful vistas.
  One activity that is not to be missed is the Night Watchman's Tour. It is held every evening at 8pm, mid-March through Christmas and begins at the town hall. No tickets or reservations are needed, just  show up with ready for an hour-long, entertaining, humourous, and educational account of the town's history. It is worth far more that the
7 euros you'll pay. We've seen it twice now and will happily be back again when we have more guests.
  Restaurant Review: The restaurant Roter Hahn is great. We have eaten there twice and had excellent service and food (see photos) both times. When the weather is nice they have outdoor seating and is a great place to grab a bier and people watch.
  Hotel Review: We stayed at The Hotel Burg Gartenpalais. The location is great and there is onsite parking, although it is a little confusing to find the parking lot. The room was very reasonably priced, very clean, had a large sitting area, updated bathroom, european-style bed (two twin mattressess put together), and included breakfast. The garden area looks like it would be wonderful in the summer although it was closed down for the season when we arrived. I would definately stay here again.