Visions of Christkindlesmarkt Dance in his Head
 

Following a wonderful tour of Bavaria last summer, one which included stops in Munich, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Rothenburg, and more, I've been intriqued with the idea and prospect of returning to the same region during the '04 Holiday Season. Specifically, I'd like to explore some of the various Christkindlemarkts, perhaps in Nurnberg, Munich, Stuttgart.

Does anyone have any experiences concerning these markets? Is one preferable to another? What did you make of the food, crafts, ambience? Overall impressions and recommendations would be much appreciated.

Hi, David. The Christmas markets are wonderful and you can do a search here that will reveal lots of information from those who have been to them. After you've gone to several, they can seem much the same. I abandoned the one in Nurnburg and the one in Salzburg Austria to walk around those cities. I liked the one in Rothenburg because it was very small and easily managed which allowed time to see the rest of the town. Just don't get sucked into spending your fortune at Kathy's - entirely too much good stuff. Stay away if you are susceptible. Munich's market is big and fun and I found the people at that market were incredibly outgoing. What I expected but didn't see were "crafts" in the sense of locally or homemade items that were particularly unusual; in fact, my recollection is that most items were manufactured, but not available in the US at anyplace I've shopped. And most of the items were holiday in nature - lots of decorations. I bought a lot of those. Other people may have different impressions - it was 7 years ago for me. Regarding the food - oh, yum!! Brat and brot (reaching back into the mists of time as I try to remember the German)and the mulled wine - gluhwein, which is usually fortified (with something stronger) and served in a commemorative mug which, for me, makes great souvenirs. There is just about anything you might want to eat; you'll pay a deposit for crockery and cutlery. No stinking trash cans full of paper plates and cups. Most don't take credit cards or travelers checks. As I said, do a search and pull up a lot of information. But if you enjoyed Germany, you'll really love the markets. Every time I respond to a question about them, I really long to go back - it was a bit overwhelming and I'd like to do it at my own pace, really drinking in the whole scene - along with that yummy gluhwein. Remember - it's COLD in winter!! So be prepared to bundle up.

Hi David - We also spent some time in Bavaria (and the Czech Rep & Austria) last December and so enjoyed the atmosphere of the Xmas markets that we plan to return this year to visit others. Not sure if you are intent on Bavaria but, if not, the Christmas markets in Prague and Salzburg are great fun. In Bavaria we only went to Regensburg, which I highly recommend. The market was fairly small - lots of sausages, bread, gluhwein and woolly hats if I remember correctly, rather than interesting crafts and I can't compare the market to others in Bavaria, but it's a beautiful town to wander around and the views of the pastel coloured medieval buildings along the river first thing in the morning took my breath away.

We have done this trip about 8 times. Got hooked on it one year and continued to do it. Probably been to most of the Bavaria fairs. Still need to get to Prague sometime.

Rothenburg has a quaint opening ceremony on the first Friday night that is fun to attend. The town is really great to see the small Christmas market and all the old town decked for Christmas. It is small, but really one of our favorites because of the town. Kathy Wolfarths is there all the time, but really gets set for Christmas. Plus, her shipping and prices pretty fair.

All the towns have the fairs and it is fun to go from town to town and visit the different fairs in evening after touring during the day. Nurnberg has one of the largest and oldest and I would recommend that one. Munich also nice as it is downtown in front of the glockenspeil.

Overall? A fun time to be in Europe. Drinking the gluwein and eating the food. It is entirely different than being there in the summer. Get a good pair of long johns and you will be fine. Some of the sunny days can be very mild. The days are short so day time touring is much less than summertime. Just book your rooms in advance as to where you want to go.

We last did this in 2001 and now you have me wanting to head back again in 2004!

Dear Folks (Bob, Lisa, Shanna),

Thanks so very much for responding to my query. The information and overall enthusiasm is most appreciated. Surely, German, Austrian, and Czech Christmas markets are on my touristic "To Do" list, preferably next year.

Happy Christmas!