German Christmas Markets

[Guineapigrescue]

Anyone going to one this year, finally we have deceided that we can manage to get away for a long weekend to the Dortmund one. I can't wait!

[prinz]

Getting married in the Rhineland in December so family and friends and that are staying in Bonn for a few days, which coincides with the markets. Made it easier to convince people to travel. Holiday, wedding and christmas shopping rolled into one.

[kevinbirchall]

I went to a Christmas market in Hexenagger near Regensburg, Bavaria last Year. This is truly one to visit if you get chance. It is hosted in an ancient castle and is full of beautiful stalls selling handmade goods and yummy food. some of the other markets I've seen are just selling the same commercial stuff, but this one is different.
The Castle has a fantastic history too and is lit up every year for incredible effect.

[Guineapigrescue]

Have an aunt living in Regensburg! Never dawned on me to go there instead.
Although then I'd kind of have to go to Dortmund to visit family there too.

Wish himself had more time off should just leave him behind then I could take my time going to the various places and stuffin me face fully of xmas nosh.

[Hill Billy]

I worked in Düsseldorf for a while & managed to take in the Christmas Market there over a few years. I can highly recommend them.

It is spread over the main shopping area around Königsallee & on into the Altstadt. As the Altstadt is also home to 260 bars & restaurants it can be quite an enjoyable place to go shopping with the missus. ("Back in a sec love, just looking at something over here..." * Nips into bar* "Guten tag Wolfgang - ein grosse bier und ein Jägermeister bitte!")

The Aer Lingus flights are quite reasonable if you book well in advance.

[Frisian]

ein grosse bier

In Düsseldorf bestellt man Alt!

Mein Lieblingsweihnachtsmarkt ist in Aachen. Info und auch hier.
Haben wir auch mal vor vielen Jahren englischen Bekannten gezeigt. Die kommen seither jedes Jahr mit dem Auto aus Dover die 350km rüber und decken sich mit Weihnachtsgeschenken ein.

[prinz]

Originally Posted by Frisian

In Düsseldorf bestellt man Alt! .

kolsch ftw

[Frisian]

Ich glaube kaum, daß es dieses Spülwasser in D'dorf überhaupt gibt.

[greeneyedspirit]

Jawollja, going to Heidelberg for a weekend. I used to live there for a bit, before I emigrated so it'll be nice to go back.

[talkingclock]

I really don't understand what makes people so excited about Duesseldorf's Weihnachtsmarkt... Because of Ryanair maybe?
Düsseldorf - wow!
http://imgpe.trivago.com/uploadimage.../427131_l.jpeg

There are much nicer ones like
Erfurt
http://www.pointoo.de/iu/p/198/723/O...-in-Erfurt.jpg (no, it's not a painting)

or Goslar
http://www1.ndr.de/ratgeber/weihnach..._v-gallery.jpg

[tatiannaa]

I love the christmas markets in germany, I look forward to them every year! I know that the nurenberg one is really nice, but I think that dresden and munich have really popular ones too. The only other country where I've been to a christmas market is in france, and was also pretty special.

[Little Alex]

My first Boards post, so hello!

Oder besser gesagt, grüße euch!

All German cities have lovely Christmas markets. I mean, where would you start?

The obvious ones are the well-known ones like Nuremberg, Munich, Dresden, Cologne, etc.

Then you have all the wonderful smaller towns that non-Germans wouldn't necessarily know about. For example Goslar and Wernigerode, two gorgeous, perfectly preserved half-timbered towns. They're a bit off the beaten track - especially regarding flights from ireland - but are really like something from a fairytale.

Then comes Lübeck - which Ryanair flies to - with its untouched Hanseatic architecture. Another wonderful German town.

But the best one has to be Seiffen in the Erzgebirge. This is the little town where they make the nutcrackers (Nussknacker) and window candles (Schwibbögen). Hidden way up in the mountains, you'll never get there unless you live in Germany. It's their little secret. :-)