Very nice Bilbo.

Oh, are these the prices for Glühwein etc. in the second picture? If so, then quite expensive, I'd say. And a Hot Dog 8 Euro?

Your eyes are better than mine Ingo, I have no idea. We've only had gluhwein once, and that was in Austria. We prefer relaxing in a cozy wine bar

We went to the Selva Christmas Market for a bit this evening. One kiosk was selling oysters and we noticed that folks were drinking wine in actual stemware. More my scene (minus the oysters).


Selva Christmas Market

Selva

Selva Christmas Market

Chestnuts roasting

St Cristina Spar well stocked with panettone

We've also noticed that the markets we've seen in Italy so far are sponsored by hotels and restaurants. is this just and Italian thing, does anyone know?

Mel, thanks for the info. With focus on the actual wine quality I'd also prefer the bar over the market stall. Beautiful pictures again, the mountains and the snow add to the ambience of the markets. Am I right that there is far more snow on the northern side of the Alps (Tyrol e.g, Fulpmes where you started.) than on the southern side?

I have never seen a market here in Germany (or in the Czech Republic) being sponsored by a hotel or restaurant if it was not on their grounds. But I've seen plenty of tiny markets being organised by hotels, restaurants, supermarkets/groceries and other businesses.

Love the panettone variety in your last picture! (Side note: I splurged and bought a panettone made by a small bakery in Sicily. Italian friends who run an Italian deli here brought it from their recent trip home. It comes in a box and bag from Dolce & Gabbana. LOL - but it makes a very nice Christmas present )

Am I right that there is far more snow on the northern side of the Alps (Tyrol e.g, Fulpmes where you started.) than on the southern side?

Yes. Fulpmes and Mayrhofen received about 40 cm of snow while we were there. They were carting it off by the truck load and it caused some train disruptions. Our bus from Fulpmes to Innsbruck got stuck crossways in the road while trying to turn around. Made for an interesting journey.

My Mom loves panettone - wish I could figure out how to take one home to her. A bit of a luggage hog those panettone.

I make panettone most months at home, it is pretty easy, just a brioche with fruit, glazing, honey and almonds, give it a go

I love to bake, so maybe I'll do that.

Trying to choose a favourite photo, Mel, so far the windowsill in Selva and those pine trees with snow on them are winning out, but really, I love the decorations, the lights, the mood, ….

Adelaidean - I think the snow covered trees is my favorite. The setting for that market was just so darn pretty...but incredibly cold...and that's from someone who isn't generally a cold weenie.

Ingo - we were back in Ortisei today and I got a close up of those sausage prices - you were right about that 8 euro hot dog. Must be a special dog, lol.


Ortisei

LOL - thanks Mel.

Last night in San Candido...


San Candido

San Candido

San Candido

Bad Hofgastein, Austria last night...



And this morning...

Beautiful! I am green of envy for the snow ...

Dreamy scenes!

Salzburg, where we're spending Christmas - the weather has been awful with wind gusts up to 90 kph, but it's not keeping people inside.


Festive pastries

Salzburg

Salzburg

Merry Christmas, Mel. Thank you for sharing the pretty scenes of the holidays across the Alps. Brings back fond memories of visits to the Christmas markets in Budapest and Vienna in past years. Haven't been to one in the Alpine villages though.

Merry Christmas to you both. Looks wonderful, very christmassy.

Happy Christmas, Mel, and thanks for sharing these lovely photos with us.

Happy Christmas everyone!