I haven't traveled outside of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and after a miserable 2007, have pretty much decided that a trip to some of the Christmas Markets would restore my spirit. Looking at the options, the best seems to be a Avalon cruise focusing on Prague, Nuremberg, Regensburg and Vienna, with adding an extra day in Vienna. I speak only English and Spanish, and looking for an experiencce that is not totally commercial. I am looking for something new, but something old as well. Any thoughts? I know I sound ignorant here, but really need the opinions of those who have first-hand experience. Thanks.

Have a look at christmastrips.com. I have gone to the markets with this small company the past 2 years and am going again this year. The trips are very well-run. The owner of the company is originally German but has lived in Portland for many years. He and his wife lead the groups (not more than 29 in the group.) You could not do better. There are several trips to choose from. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or call Gerhard. I think his number is on the website.CJ

Thanks. Oddly enough, I live near Portland, so this is certainly appealing.
I am also concerned about the language issue. Can I get by with a phrasebook without being the "Ugly American?"

>I am also concerned about the language issue. Can I get by with a phrasebook without being the "Ugly American?"

Of course you can. The "Ugly Americans" are those who wouldn't bother to use a phrase book but take for granted that everybody speaks perfect English.

Neo
You would have no trouble at all. I have found that when you stay in better hotels, the staff speaks english. Many of the people on the tour speak little or no German and get along fine. Most of the vendors at the markets speak enough english to "converse for commerce." Taking a phrasebook makes the trip more enjoyable (to me.) I speak a little German and enjoy wandering away on my own for a little "one on one."
I find the pace of the tour very enjoyable. We have breakfast at the hotel each morning. You come down and either sit alone or join one of your new friends. Then we either take a walking tour or do some activity. You are generally on your own for the afternoon and meet again for the optional "drink before dinner" and then have a great German meal. The tour members have been a very friendly and interesting group each year. If you have any other questions, fire away! CJ

If you do a cruise, the guides will speak English. I found that I got by in Germany and Austria with my limited German-language skills; it's amazing what you can do in pantomime if you need to.

Also have a little concern with prices at the Markets. Are there bargains to be had, or can I expect items to be comparable to high-end Christmas decorations here i.e.-$40-100 for an ornament)? Also, is it true that hot wine drinks should generally be avoided?

If you learn "Please" "Thank you" and " May I speak English, please" in the subject language, you will be treated warmly almost everywhere you go.

Citizens of other nations do not expect N. Americans to speak the local language but, as others have said, they certainly expect us to behave as though it is we who who benefit from their courtesy of speaking to us in our limited tongue.

It's like life, the more effort you put in, the more you will get back.

<<Also have a little concern with prices at the Markets. Are there bargains to be had, or can I expect items to be comparable to high-end Christmas decorations here i.e.-$40-100 for an ornament)? Also, is it true that hot wine drinks should generally be avoided?>>

I don't know if they were bargains - but I certainly never paid $40-100 for the ornaments I bought. I'm guessing the most I ever paid was around $25. I'm sure there were more expensive ones around - but I didn't see any.

As for the hot mulled wine........that was my favorite part of visiting the Christmas markets!!!!!

I also enjoyed the gluhwein. And each town serves it in their own cups which you can buy for about a euro. One of my favorites is from Wurtzburg, it is a thin glass cup. Very special. Nothing warms you up like gluhwein when you are chilled.
As for prices, I don't buy a lot but Gerhart's Nov. 28th trip goes to two special places: Lauscha, where glass ornaments were first exported to the US from the glass factory (Woolworth brought them to his 5 & 10 cent stores.) Prices are very good there and you won't find any 'made in China' labels. The other place is Seiffen, the home of the wooden decorations. These towns are in the old eastern Germany and are very interesting to me.
It ialso so interesting to drive thru the countryside (and towns) and see how they decorate. Obviously, I love Germany in December. CJ

Carol Jean,
Is there a lot of walking on Gerhard's tours? I have slight mobility problem (bad knees..mostly just slow) and wouldn't want to hold up the tour group. I like the itinerary and the very nice, atmospheric hotels.

Hi Barbara
There are 'city tours' lasting usually 1 1/2 hrs. Other than that, you are really at your own pace. Even on the walks, if you are slow or need to rest, Gerhard's wife usually is in the rear and would stop a while with you. The whole pace of these tours is so nice. The hotel is usually in the center, close to the Christmas market so you can go to your room and rest or drop off packages whenever you like. Most of these towns are small (or the center of the larger cities) and as you are wandering, you run into other participants - at a sidewalk cafe or in a shop, etc.
One year there was a lady who had serious health problems and she and her husband took it easy. They might sit on the bus if we were taking a hilly tour or just stay close to the hotel or bus. Last year there were a couple who had walking issues and I don't think they had a problem at all. I think you would be fine. Any other questions, just ask. It is a magical experience. CJ

Ah, there's the word I was hoping for ("magical&quot. I have had several travel experiences around Christmas that were magical, and they are great memories. Specifically, I was in a nearly-empty Taos Pueblo on Dec. 23, and then drove back to Santa Fe with a light snow on the ground, along the Rio Grande road with occasional Christmas lights. I am hoping that a trip to some of the Christmas Markets would be as memorable.

I've been thinking about some of my magical moments:
Standing in front of the giant Christmas tree at the Market in Munich after dark with a childrens' choir singing Christmas carols on the balcony.
Driving thru the countryside between Munich and Saltzburg in the snow - looking just like your favorite Christmas card scene.
Driving thru the countryside and thru little towns in the eastern part of Germany and seeing all of the 'bogens' (arched wooden candle decorations made in that area - Seiffen) in all of the windows.
Visitiing the medieval market in Dresden at night when it is lighted by tourches.
To me. it is indeed 'magical.' CJ

Munich is still my most favourite market.

If you want to avoid gluhwein, you can get hot mulled grape juice instead. One to be careful about is gluhwein fortified with extra shots of schnapps. The price includes the mug--you get the refund back when you return the mug.

The weather can be bitter cold. Make sure you have proper clothes--scarves, gloves, and good solid boots (something with good grip and waterproof in case of snow).

The weather can be bitter cold . . . . .but the last two years it hasn't been. My snow boots were overkill. (I travel very light.) You never know. CJ

Sorry, forgot to mention - I certainly bring scarf, hat and gloves and lonf underwear. CJ

Neotrav, we've had magical moments the two times we were in Regensburg for Christmas Eve Mass in the Dom. The boy and mens choir (an 800 year old singing group) sang for the service and it was absolutely heaven on earth. The first time we were there, we went to the nighttime service just as it was beginning - we joined the throngs of people streaming to the church as the church bells pealed - just as they have done for centuries. It gave us chills, but that was just the beginning. We had to stand for the service and couldn't see, nor understand much of the German and Latin, but the music was ethereal and we felt the power of the Incarnation.

Three years later we arrived at the church over an hour early and were able to get decent seats. We had our multilingual Mass book (sold at the religious bookstore on the cathedral square) and we knew to wear long underwear and warm gloves, as the church is barely heated and cold blasts come in when the doors are opened (even though there are heavy draft protecting drapes in front of the doors). I was worried that the service would be a let down after our magical previous experience, but it was just as wonderful. After the service, all the lights in the church were turned off and in the dark the boys began singing "Silent Night" in German, a capella. In the second verse the men joined in and the third verse was filled with interweaving harmonies. I have never heard any church music so powerful. At the very end, everyone goes to see the lovely Nativity set in the front of the church.

The markets in Regensburg are also quite enjoyable - one is held on the grounds of the Turn & Taxis palace and features handmade wares. The craftspeople are there and working in their booths.

In general, we found that ornaments from Christmas markets were sometimes expensive, but there are lots of beautiful wooden and straw ornaments that are quite reasonable and distinctive.