Germany Travel

02/01/2024

Well, it's a wrap for our 2023 German Christmas Market trip!

Thank you all for following us on our travels. It was good to see so many of you liking our photos and the fond memories that they brought back for many.

Frohes Neues Jahr! May 2024 be a year filled with Happiness, Good Health and Great Adventures for everyone.

And as we carry on our travels up along the beautiful Norwegian Coast, we also wish you godt nytt år, as they say in Norwegian.🇳🇴

30/12/2023

A quick dash back from Lübeck to Hamburg to do our final Christmas market visit for the year.

The Hamburg WeißerZauber (White Magic) on the Jungfernstieg enjoys a great location along the Binnenalster Lake.
The big WeißerZauber archway is gone, as are all the many Christmas trees and decorations, but the market is on for its final night.

There is quite a crowd in attendance and the food and drink stalls are doing great business. No doubt Hamburg residents and visitors are out to enjoy their final Christmas market for the year.

28/12/2023

Christmas may be over, but there are Christmas markets still operating in some German cities till the end of the year.

Lübeck, in northern Germany, is one such city. As the medieval capital of the Hanseatic League, its magnificent brick Gothic architecture sets an atmospheric scene for its Christmas markets.
Lübeck is also famous for its Niederegger marzipan confectionery. Its cafes are full of delicious cakes!

24/12/2023

We got into Hamburg just in time to cover the final evening of its Altmarkt Christmas market on December 23rd.
This Christmas market in front of the impressive Hamburg Town Hall is the most popular. It was very crowded in spite of the heavy rain.

24/12/2023

Frohe Weihnacten und ein gutes neues Jahr.
Merry Christmas to everyone and wishing you a great New Year!

23/12/2023

It was raining, cold and windy, but Bremen's Christmas markets opened today. In spite of the weather, the locals were out in force. After all, tonight was their second last night before markets close for another year. Taking photos was a bit tricky in the rain, but we're glad that we got some.

21/12/2023

On arrival in Bremen on Wednesday evening, we took a stroll to the market square for a quick look at its Christmas markets. The buildings in the square were impressive and the Christmas markets we liked straightaway. As it began to rain quite heavily, we decided to come back the next day for photos.
Today, we went into the Old Town again and were a bit confused to see the stallholders packing away their goods. Gale-force storms that have been wreaking havoc in parts of the UK and Europe have reached Bremen as well. Because of Storm Zoltan and its anticipated 85 kilometres per hour wind gusts, all Bremen city Christmas markets were closed.☹️

20/12/2023

Hannover is a new Christmas market destination for us. Being famous for its trade fairs, we were hopeful that Hannover's Christmas markets would be good.

In Hannover city centre, the Christmas markets can be found at the Bahnhofplatz (central station plaza), at the Kröpcke where a huge pyramid stands and surrounding the Marktkirche in the Old Town. There are plenty of the usual Christmas market stalls selling goods and food and drinks.

We made the mistake of arriving on a Saturday - the whole place was packed to the hilt. It seems that the whole of Hannover was at the markets. Sunday was just as busy. It was not possible to have a leisurely stroll amongst the stalls or really soak in the market atmosphere.

Although Hannover's have all the elements of a German Christmas market, including a Finnish Medieval Village, it’s a bit too crowded for our liking.

We stayed at the Kaiserhof, just across the Ernst-August Platz from the main station, and found it quite convenient as it’s only a 12 minute walk to the Marktkirche, where we also found quite a few nice restaurants.

19/12/2023

TRAIN TRAVEL IN GERMANY:
Our train trips in Germany this Christmas season has been particularly disruptive. A few of our booked trips were either cancelled or rescheduled, requiring us to find alternative journeys. We were also caught up in a rail strike when we were in Munich.

If you have any train trip planned in January 2024, be aware that there may be more disruptions coming. Following is an excerpt from German broadcaster DW (Deutsche Welle):
"Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) has become notorious for delays and cancellations. A fresh round of strike action is set to start in January, leaving passengers stranded again. Customer satisfaction has reached a record low — but the rail operator executives are again receiving millions in bonus payments."

18/12/2023

STEPPING BACK IN TIME AT THE DRESDEN MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS MARKET:
You won't find any sparkling Christmas lights here! To set the atmosphere, the stallholders are dressed in medieval gear and there's some demonstration of how things were made in the past. There's plenty of leather and felt goods on sale. Luckily the food and drinks are more modern in taste.
If you didn't have time for a shower in the morning, you can have a bath here - quite popular with the men! You can also have your fortune read here.
Below are some photos of the market. For a more comprehensive coverage you can see more photos here: https://www.travelsignposts.com/destinations/index.php/category/dresden-medieval-christmas-market

15/12/2023

Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is unique for its stall decorations. The stallholders put in great efforts to decorate their stalls. When you look at the rooftops, you get an idea of what’s being offered.
Below are some photos - if you would like to see more photos, you can find them in our gallery. https://www.travelsignposts.com/destinations/index.php/category/dresden-striezelmarkt-altmarkt-by-day

13/12/2023

With more than 100 stalls, the Christmas Market on Alexanderplatz is one of the busiest in Berlin. This Christmas market is a mix between a traditional market and a funfair and is popular with families.

A special feature of the market is the Christmas pyramid decorated with more than 5000 lights. It claims to be the biggest walk-in Christmas pyramid in Europe. On the ground floor of the pyramid, you can buy snacks and refreshments, while the platform on top offers nice views of the city. You can also dine in the pyramid and the prices are quite reasonable too.

13/12/2023

“Falling in Love” at the Berlin Friedrichstadt-Palast:
A Spectacular Jean-Paul Gaultier Curated Musical at the Friedrichstadt-Palast:
A friend recommended that we see the "Falling in Love (https://buff.ly/4ahv32v)" musical at Berlin's famous Friedrichstadt-Palast. We were initially a bit doubtful about it, but our friend sang its praises, and with Jean-Paul Gaultier as the Visual Design Director, we could not resist giving it a try.

"Falling in Love", at Berlin's Friedrichstadt-Palast, is a dazzling, high energy musical with amazing costumes by Jean-Paul Gaultier.

11/12/2023

Our favourite Berlin Gendarmenmarkt Christmas Market has been temporarily moved to Bebelplatz. This location is grand but not as charming as Gendarmenmarkt.
The Arts and Crafts tent is popular. I saw a creative leather handbag there, but at €490, I had to give it a miss.
We dined at Edelweiss, an Italian restaurant with an unusual name. The food was nice and the atmosphere was definitely Italian.

07/12/2023

A VIBRANT FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS MARKET:
It was cold, but that didn’t stop the people of Frankfurt from attending their Christmas markets. There was plenty of food and drinks about and the atmosphere was great!

05/12/2023

AN EARLY WHITE CHRISTMAS IN MUNICH:
We’re lucky to be at Munich’s Christmas Markets this week and to be treated to an early White Christmas. The whole city’s covered in snow. The Christmas tree on Marienplatz is decorated with real snow and the market stalls are picture-postcard beautiful.

01/12/2023

When it comes to German Christmas markets, Munich has plenty of choices for visitors – there are over twenty Christmas markets in the Bavarian capital. https://buff.ly/2XiZRec The main Munich Christkindlmarkt (Münchner Christkindlmarkt) and the oldest in the city is the one at the historical Marienplatz.

27/11/2023

Dresden Medieval Christmas Market - STEPPING BACK INTO THE MIDDLE AGES AT THE DRESDEN MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS MARKET: https://buff.ly/3WkcLqu
The Dresden Striezelmarkt is the largest and most famous of the Dresden Christmas markets, but a Christmas market with a difference and one which we like a lot is the Dresden Medieval Christmas Market, also known as the Stallhof Advent Festival.

26/11/2023

Dresden Striezelmarkt 2023 – Germany’s Oldest Christmas Market:
https://buff.ly/2OhDkM3 There are many Christmas markets in Dresden (including a Medieval Christmas Market), but the largest of them all is the Dresden Striezelmarkt on the Altmarkt. The Dresden Striezelmarkt is also Germany's oldest Christmas Market. This year (2023) marks the 589th anniversary of this historical Christmas market.

25/11/2023

Hamburg Weihnachtsmarkt, Hamburg Christmas Markets 2023 HAMBURG - THE CHRISTMAS CAPITAL OF THE NORTH: https://buff.ly/2YvWWnA
The city of Hamburg stakes its claim as the Christmas Capital of the North. This is because nowhere else in the north of Germany are there so many Christmas markets within such a close proximity of each other.

25/11/2023

Christmas Magic at WeihnachtsZauber in Berlin 2023: WeihnachtsZauber Gendarmenmarkt/Bebelplatz - Berlin Christmas Market:https://buff.ly/3BFZ75w
The WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt is one of Berlin's most elegant and stylish Christmas markets during the festive season. The market is held at Bebelplatz this year and next as Gendarmenmarkt is undergoing renovation.

23/11/2023

Lübeck Weihnachtsmarkt – 2023 Lübeck Christmas Markets:
Queen of the Hanseatic League, Exudes Charm at Christmastime: With its historical attractions and medieval setting, Lübeck exudes charm at any time of the year. But at Christmas time, this "Queen of the Hanseatic League" is more than charming. Lübeck has some ten Christmas markets operating around the Historic Old Town.

Lübeck has ten Christmas markets in the Historic Old Town. Decked out in Christmas lights and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, the atmosphere is romantic and magical.

19/11/2023

Frankfurt Christmas Market - Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt https://buff.ly/3GkP4Zx Our Frankfurt Christmas Market Visit
Once again, we will start our series of German Christmas Market visits at the Frankfurter Weihnachtsmarkt. Naturally we're excited to be in Frankfurt again to see what Germany's financial powerhouse has in store for Christmas this year. The extensive Frankfurt Christmas Market stretches from the Roßmarkt to Friedrich-Stoltze-Platz, Paulsplatz, Römerberg and then to Mainkai.

16/11/2023

The Magic of the Cologne Christmas Markets 2023: https://buff.ly/3jLtf9s There's something magical about German Christmas markets. When it comes to Christmas markets, the city of Cologne puts on quite a sparkling show. There are six themed Christmas markets in the Alstadt, including the famous Cologne Cathedral Weihnachtsmarkt.

15/11/2023

A Picture Perfect Rothenburg Christmas Market 2023: https://buff.ly/3Bn67Eg THE REITERLESMARKT IN ROTHENBURG IS ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC IN GERMANY. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most popular destinations along the Romantic Road in Bavaria. At Christmas time, Rothenburg’s medieval setting makes it one of the most romantic Christmas markets in Germany. The Reiterlesmarkt also has an interesting story to tell.

14/11/2023

Nuremberg Christmas Market – Nürnberg Christkindlesmarkt 2023.
THE NUREMBERG CHRISTMAS MARKET IS KNOWN AS "LITTLE TOWN FROM WOOD AND CLOTH":https://buff.ly/2ZCUcpe With over two million visitors every year, the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt or Nuremberg Christmas Market can easily claim to be one of the more popular Christmas markets in Germany. A hallmark of this huge market is the red and white cloth tops...

13/11/2023

Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt 2023: The Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt claims to be the most beautiful. https://buff.ly/3ND98Is The main Augsburger Christkindlesmarkt is set in the Rathausplatz, against the magnificent backdrop of its Renaissance city hall.
During the advent season twenty-four angels appear on the beautiful City Hall facade and transform the building into a huge Advent calendar.

11/11/2023

A Trip Back in Time at the Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market: https://buff.ly/3DXNrMZ Esslingen's Medieval Half-timbered Houses are a great backdrop for their Medieval Christmas Market. Before coming to Stuttgart, we didn't know anything about the Esslingen Medieval Christmas Market or Esslingen town for that matter. Tony came across information about their Medieval Christmas Market by chance and so we take time out from Stuttgart to visit.

11/11/2023

Stuttgart Christmas Market 2023: https://buff.ly/3pmmzSS Stuttgart Christmas Market claims to be one of the largest German Christmas Markets:
The Stuttgart Christmas Market (Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt) claims to be the "biggest and most beautiful Christmas Market in Europe". Before coming to Stuttgart, we didn't know too much about this city, except that it is the head office and manufacturing hub of Mercedes

10/11/2023

Christmas Concerts in Munich – Christmas in Munich https://buff.ly/350h1jB CHRISTMAS CONCERTS AT FAMOUS VENUES IN MUNICH:
Christmas is a special time Munich and as with the rest of Germany, music is very much a part of the Munich Christmas celebrations. If you are spending Christmas in Munich, why not enjoy one of the many Christmas concerts in the city.