Christmas time is all about wonder and magic and there is no better place to spend your Yuletide than at Germany’s famous Christmas markets. Sure, you find Christmas markets everywhere, but none can evoke the sense of awe and childlike wonder that German Christmas Markets can, with their medieval castles and old town squares making for an almost fairy-tale setting. Are you tempted to see all these wonderful sights for Christmas? Well, here is how you can go about planning a German Christmas Market trip, in order to experience its magic in the best way possible:
Plan Your Trip Sometime Between 20th November to 23rd December
Christmas is celebrated on December 24th in Germany, which is why Christmas markets usually remain till December 23rd, which is more often than not, the final date. Most of these markets are month-long starting from November 20th or so. It is recommended that you plan your trip accordingly, so as not to miss out on anything.
Do Your Homework and Find the Christmas Market that Appeals to You the Most
It is always better to plan your itinerary so as to make sure you don’t miss out on the places that you find interesting and also, so you can pass on the places that particularly appeal to you. That being said, some of the most renowned Christmas Markets in Germany include the ones in Dresden, which has the world’s oldest Christmas Market, Nuremberg, where the world’s largest Christmas Market is held, and Konstanz, which set against the backdrop of the Alps, on the banks of Lake Constance. Apart from these there also some amazing Pink Markets in Frankfurt, Cologne, and Munich that are LGBTQ- oriented. Moreover, Munich has more than 30 Christmas Markets of its own, while Berlin has a whopping 60 Christmas Markets of its own.
Venture to Try Each Town’s Specialties
Be it a special kind of baked goodie or a particular kind of sausage, every German town has its own local delicacies, and it is absolutely imperative that you try them all for the full experience! What’s more? Every town has handicrafts that are unique to it. For instance, Nuremberg is known for its Prune People, which are a specialty.
Don’t Overlook Small Towns and Cities
Sometimes the splendor and popularity of big cities and towns tend to blind us to charming little cities right under our noses. Now, the thing about big and popular towns is that most people flock to their markets, making them extremely cramped and congested. Do yourself a favor and visit a small lesser-known town or city instead, so you can actually enjoy their Christmas markets without being hindered by the crowds.
Dress for the weather
Christmas markets are held outdoors, in Germany, in the dead of winter. Thus, it is important to know that there’s no escaping the cold, but you can avoid the worst of it by donning scarfs, hats, thermals, and gloves. And make sure to wear boots to keep your feet dry and warm in wet conditions. Compassionately, most markets have heater tents where you can catch a bit of a break from the bone-chilling cold.
Enjoy the overall ambiance
There may not be actual sights of sugar plum fairies dancing at these Christmas markets, but the atmosphere is pretty darn close. Sounds of music and laughter from merry-go-rounds fill the air. Fairies stroll together and eat treats. The aromas of fresh vegetables and spiced wine puff through the air. So, before to get stressed about what to do, remember why you’re ultimately there: to relax, step back, and enjoy the scene and the wonderful mood.
All Christmas markets sell amazing fest food, so they usually open at about 11:00 in the morning to catch the excited lunch crowd. The ideal time to go, in our opinion, though is in the evening and into the night. There are plenty of sparkly lights, and standing around sipping some hot cocoa or gluhwein and observing the shoppers is an ideal way to pass some time.
Christmas markets are something the German people do very finely. If you and your partner or spouse get into a “Bah, humbug!” state of mind after Thanksgiving, this will give your attitude a complete makeover. So, is there a German Christmas Market Trip in the offing? Well then, Travel Gooru is your one-stop destination for anything and everything travel related, that you might need, right from comparing airline ticket prices to booking hotel rooms and car rentals, we’ve got it all!
