CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2011
Posted November 30th, 0000
WORLDWIDE TRAVEL INFORMATION
A SELECTION OF GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
A SELECTION OF GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Berlin is the capital city of the German Christmas Markets.
Whether you prefer a traditional Christmas experience or a more contemporary one, Berlin’s 60 markets will have something for everyone! Booths feature jewellery, paintings, textiles and sculptures from local designers and artists, as well as Christmas decorations, ornaments, and toys. Fabulous entertainment is guaranteed by jugglers, acrobats, fire artists, dance groups, and musicians. And don’t forget to bring your appetite- refreshments range from cocoa, punch and mulled wine to glazed fruit, roasted almonds and grilled sausages. Berlin’s Christmas markets run from November 22nd to December 31st
Dusseldorf Christmas Markets - article & photos by Juliet Rix
As daylight fades, the temperature falls and Christmas lights glow brighter, locals gather around the gluhwein stalls in Dusseldorf’s Christmas Markets, sipping the delicious hot spicy wine. The markets – all within a few streets of each other - are open daily from 10am but evening is definitely the time to go. The atmosphere is friendly as well as festive; Children giggle as they ride the mini carousels and adults chat over a drink and a traditional snack – bratwurst of course, or fried mushrooms, roast chestnuts or waffles topped with great turrets of cream.
Magic of the glass blower
There are several markets, unusually each with its own style. In Market Square the cheery red wood market stalls are packed around the near-life-size carved nativity scene beneath a perfect Christmas tree. Two minutes away the Market of Little Stars twinkles with bright white fairy lights while in a neighbouring square at the Little Angels Market smiling putti look down on the shoppers browsing the hand-painted candles, blown glass, turned wood and traditional toys as well as Christmas decorations, hats & scarves, and gingerbread.
Gluhwein in hand, this is the most delightful way to do Christmas shopping!
Whether you prefer a traditional Christmas experience or a more contemporary one, Berlin’s 60 markets will have something for everyone! Booths feature jewellery, paintings, textiles and sculptures from local designers and artists, as well as Christmas decorations, ornaments, and toys. Fabulous entertainment is guaranteed by jugglers, acrobats, fire artists, dance groups, and musicians. And don’t forget to bring your appetite- refreshments range from cocoa, punch and mulled wine to glazed fruit, roasted almonds and grilled sausages. Berlin’s Christmas markets run from November 22nd to December 31st
Dusseldorf Christmas Markets - article & photos by Juliet Rix
As daylight fades, the temperature falls and Christmas lights glow brighter, locals gather around the gluhwein stalls in Dusseldorf’s Christmas Markets, sipping the delicious hot spicy wine. The markets – all within a few streets of each other - are open daily from 10am but evening is definitely the time to go. The atmosphere is friendly as well as festive; Children giggle as they ride the mini carousels and adults chat over a drink and a traditional snack – bratwurst of course, or fried mushrooms, roast chestnuts or waffles topped with great turrets of cream.
Magic of the glass blower
There are several markets, unusually each with its own style. In Market Square the cheery red wood market stalls are packed around the near-life-size carved nativity scene beneath a perfect Christmas tree. Two minutes away the Market of Little Stars twinkles with bright white fairy lights while in a neighbouring square at the Little Angels Market smiling putti look down on the shoppers browsing the hand-painted candles, blown glass, turned wood and traditional toys as well as Christmas decorations, hats & scarves, and gingerbread.
Gluhwein in hand, this is the most delightful way to do Christmas shopping!
Dusseldorf Christmas Markets run until Dec 23
Lufthansa have regular flights to Dusseldorf from London, Birmingham and Edinburgh for as little as UK£89 return. Click on any Lufthansa advertisement on this site.
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Apart from some of the more obvious choices of Christmas Market in Nurenberg Hamburg and Frankfurt, here are a few lesser known locations where you can enjoy this seasonal event.
Second Upper Black Forest Christmas Market in the Ravenna Gorge
Experience this wildly romantic and unique Christmas market in the extraordinary setting of the Ravenna Gorge, with more than 40 stalls offering the finest arts and crafts, gift ideas and regional products. Located in the heart of the Upper Black Forest and only a few kilometres away from Freiburg, the Löffeltal ("Valley of Spoons") represents immense beauty and intrigue. This majestic place combines a peaceful stillness and dusky wilderness. The Höllental ("Hell Valley"), is well-known today because Marie-Antoinette travelled through it on her bridal journey and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stayed over. It is a valley of legends and folklore but also a place of local stories and traditions. This mystical and historical valley at the entrance of a spectacular and romantic gorge, will host the "Upper Black Forest Christmas Market" on the first three weekends in December for the second time.
Christmas Made in Lower Saxony
The Christmas and winter season in Lower Saxony is as exciting and varied as its regions and cities. Visitors travelling to the UNESCO World Heritage site in Goslar, will have a chance to experience Germany's only Christmas forest surrounded by beautiful timber-framed houses next to the marketplace. Other cities in Lower Saxony such as Hannover, Osnabrück or Celle will host their yearly Christmas market in their historic city centres where you can find a huge variety of culinary delights like mulled wine or curly kale and sausage.
If you are attracted by the German North Sea coast, you should visit the seaside Christmas markets in towns like Emden, Wilhelmshaven or Leer for some stockfish and grog in maritime atmosphere. Apart from the cities, Lower Saxony's theme parks are also preparing for the winter season. During the Advent period the Autostadt in Wolfsburg invites its visitors to a winter wonderland journey across ten countries.