Christmas Markets
 

I will be traveling with several adult female friends to the German Christmas Markets in 2001. We plan to to arrive in Munich on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Is this a good time to see the best markets? Where are the best markets? Are markets open weekdays as well as weekends? Will it be easy to travel by train from market town to market town?

Carolyn-What a great idea! We spent Dec.'89 in Germ. visiting Christmas markets. It's a wonderful experience. Take fleece and long underwear. <BR> Generally speaking, the markets start Dec. 1. We enjoyed the markets in Nuremberg and Munich. There is a very special one in a small town, Bad Wimfen. It is only on one or two weekends and is very much a local celebration. A German friend told us about it and it was great. In the larger towns, the markets run all month. <BR> We did the markets by train and had no hotel reservations. Had no trouble, always found hotels within walking distance of the markets. <BR> In Rothenburg, they were just setting up the market (we also went the end of Nov.) But if you go there, don't miss Kathy Wolfart's Christmas store. I've been there twice. Take measurements for tablecloths or a tape measure. Their measurements are in meters, I think. Have a great time. You can't miss. Carol

I wish I could give you train info, but I always have a car. This year I went to the following markets. <BR> <BR>Bad Wimpfen 9 Dec - very cute - gorgeous town - bring good shoes, all cobblestones and hills. <BR> <BR>Heidleberg and Mannheim - very good, Heidelberg's is spread out through the downtown area in a couple of different spots. <BR> I went to Nuernberg for the first time this year(16 Dec) I'm sure it was very nice, but it was a Saturday afternoon and because it has a reputation as being the best in Germany, it was packed. Packed to the point you couldn't get near any of the booths. I gave up and went to Finnegan's and had a lovely Irish coffee instead. <BR> <BR> The market in Frankfurt has a gorgeous carousel. From what I've seen, the markets are open most evenings (no idea about weekdays, I usually have to work) as well as the weekends. <BR> <BR> Gluhwein is the thing to drink while you're there. I bought 3 bottles to bring home with me and I'm already wishing I had bought more. <BR> <BR>Have a great time and if you make it to the one in Heidelberg, maybe I'll see you there!

Stacey, there is a recipe for Gluhwein on beveragerecipe.com/az/glhwin.asp I haven't tried it yet but sounds good. <BR>Carolyn, we were just in Vienna which has a great Christmas market near the Rathaus & others in many squares. I have heard that Nuremburg is the largest, but most German cities have them. Check the German rail site at http://bahn.hafas.de for train information. (Use Munchen for Munich)

The following page is a great resource for Christmas market trip planning: <BR> <BR>http://www.gogermany.about.com/trave.../aa110800a.htm

You are in for some fun. We have done quite a few of the markets. The web site has timing for all of them. We usually go on Thanksgiving, so you are picking a good time. I cannot help you on trains as we always drive. <BR> <BR>Try to get to opening night for Nuremburg. They turn off all the lights at a designated town and the queen of the market is presented. Find the ornate tower on the northeast corner of the fair grounds opposite end from the church. There is one small ring built into the fencing arond the tower that will be shiny from everyone turning it for luck. Give it a turn for me. Don't forget to eat some sausage. <BR> <BR>Rothenburg is smaller, but also nice because of the quaint town. We made opening there in 1998. If you stay at the Reichs Kutchenmeister hotel you will be about one easy block walk to everything going on. Some of the fair will be right outside the hotel. Nice place to stay in Rothenburg. Ask for a room in the old building. <BR> <BR>Munich is around the glockenspeil. Great ambiance. <BR> <BR>One thing to watch for on the gluwein if you are a collector: Each market serves their gluwein in a mug made for that town's market with its name on it. When you buy your first drink, you also pay extra for the mug...about $1.50, I think. You then get this mug refilled during the evening and you get your $1.50 back if you turn in the mug before you leave. Or you can keep as a souvenier. Great idea for eliminating litter and you can start a collection of one mug from each fair you visit. <BR> <BR>Re Kathe Wolfahrts in Rothenburg or other locations: We do Germany quite a bit. I have found the prices at Kathe to be very fair. If you find it there, buy it. You will not be able to beat her by enough to make it worthwhile. We have tried. Plus, the shop is great...but very crowded during Christmas. Her shipping to US is very dependable. <BR> <BR>Heidelberg is also nice with the way they have theirs set up near the old town. Just dress warm, dring the gluwein and have a great time.

I think the Christmas markets officially open at the start of Advent, which is 4 Sundays before Christmas. In 2001 that will be the weekend of Dec 1-2. As far as I know, none of the markets in Munich open before that.