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Christmas Markets **General/Annual Bumper Thread**

  • 04-10-2006 5:15pm
    #1
    zenzen
    Closed Accounts Posts: 169 ✭✭


    heya, just wondering if anyone has been to one of those Christmas markets in Germany or anywhere in Europe really. Any recomendations? Was thinking about going for a long weekend in December. Thx
    Tagged:


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Comments

  • #2
    mikedragon32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,939 ✭✭✭mikedragon32


    I've not been to one in Germany, but I've heard the one in Berlin is good.

    I've been to Brussels and Bruges and both are pretty good. I didn't buy much, but the atmosphere is good.


  • #3
    mobby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,167 ✭✭✭mobby


    Also been to Brussels and Bruges markets and it was very nice more of a christmas feel then here. Found this site may help http://www.flyingvisits.ie/European%20Christmas%20Markets/christmas_markets_2006.htm


  • #4
    Sheera
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭Sheera


    Hey, I was in Berlin just before Christmas last year and there's Christmas markets all over the city - most of them sell similar stuff. There's a great atmosphere in them at night - people meet up there to eat & drink. Berlin is a great city anyway so would highly recommend :)


  • #5
    littlesurfer
    Registered Users Posts: 812 ✭✭✭littlesurfer


    Hi,

    I'm heading to cologne for four days in december for the markets. I've looked them up and talked to one or two people who've been and it seems like the place to be! Apparantly cologne is one of the best shopping spots too!


  • #6
    Blue Duck
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 222 ✭✭Blue Duck


    i went to cologne last xmas, it was lovely, very good atmosphere.
    Fly with german wings dublin to cologne, very cheap.
    A good hotel is the ambassador its right beside the metro and very reasonable, good breakfast too.

    The markets have lots of childrens toys, food, and lots of mulled wine (the only thing for keeping out the cold!!)


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  • #7
    CuppaCocoa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,858 ✭✭✭CuppaCocoa


    Have been to Dusseldorf and last year to Frankfurt. There's a lot of eating going on! Be careful of your money though, I had my wallet stolen last year. Markets are very crowded. Going to Stockholm this year for the Swedish experience!


  • #8
    muppetkiller
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,200 ✭✭✭muppetkiller


    The one in Montreux (spelling) in Switerland is fantastic..
    beautiful view of the alps too...


  • #9
    Dellas
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 796 ✭✭✭Dellas


    Strasbourg on the French / German border is great and a cool city too, also Nuremburg is very good but not that easy to get to.


  • #10
    Moanin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭Moanin


    Heading to Baden Baden at start of December.Got cheap flight with Ryanair and hotel is not so expensive either.Looking forward to it!


  • #11
    Irish Salfordia
    Closed Accounts Posts: 116 ✭✭Irish Salfordia


    Went to Farnkfurt last year with "she who must be obeyed". Great atmosphere, loads of sausages and pizza and mulled wine (great variety of flavours and much needed to keepout the freezing cold)

    Only mistake was thinking flying with Ryanir to Frankfurt Hann was going to get us anywhere near the real Frankfurt.

    Great experience, very different, enjoy


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  • #12
    Jacky08
    Registered Users Posts: 79 ✭✭Jacky08


    Check out Heidleberg - beaitiful old city, train from Frankfurt in less than an hour - very cool place - some amazing pubs as well

    Think also you could fly into Baden Baden but Frankfurt for definite - aer lingus into Frankfurt direct and ryanair to Frankfurt Han

    http://www-aix.gsi.de/~shiptrap/Trains.htm


    http://www.e-heidelberg.com/attractions/attractions.html
    The Christmas market


    The Christmas market is something of a tradition in Germany. Most towns will have one. Heidelberg's is by no means the biggest or the most famous (that would be the Christmas market in Nürnberg), but is worth visiting none the less.

    What is the Heidelberg Christmas Market? The Heidelberg Christmas market runs from around the 24th November until the 22nd December, daily from 11am until 9pm (check the events section). Christmas gifts, unusual herbs, special tees, hot German food specialities, Glühwein (this is a warm wine - perfect for those cold winter afternoons - certainly beats stamping your feet on the ground to keep warm!), amusements rides for little children and so on can all be had at the Christmas market. The Christmas atmosphere is something quite special.

    The Christmas market takes place in three of the town squares in the old town:

    Kornmarkt
    Marktplatz
    Universitätsplatz
    These squares are all located towards the Castle end of the old town.


  • #13
    jmccann
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭jmccann


    Myself and my wife are flying in to Frankfurt Hahn next week just for 2 days and would appreciate any ideas on where good Christmas markets could be found in this region?


  • #14
    Benedict XVI
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,377 ✭✭✭Benedict XVI


    jmccann wrote: »
    Myself and my wife are flying in to Frankfurt Hahn next week just for 2 days and would appreciate any ideas on where good Christmas markets could be found in this region?

    Cologne is about a hours drive and it is supposed to be one of the best Christmas markets in Germany.

    You may also want to see if there is one in Luxembourg which is not that far away either


  • #15
    craichoe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,706 ✭✭✭craichoe


    Theres knacker all in Hahn, its a good bit away from Frankfurt.

    And Cologne is more like a 2 hour drive from Hahn with no traffic excluding find where your staying in the city and parking up.

    Cologne does have does have a Christmas market though and as much Kolsch beer as you can handle ;)


  • #16
    jester77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,264 ✭✭✭✭jester77


    Ryanair have a bus that will take you into Frankfurt, takes over an hour. Frankfurt has some of the best xmas markets in Germany, especially the one at Römer (near Haupwache, just off the Zeil).


  • #17
    An Citeog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,096 ✭✭✭An Citeog


    +1 for the Christmas markets in Cologne. Haven't been to Frankfurt so I can't really comment. It's about 2/2.5 hours to Cologne from Hahn and there's a fairly regular bus service that leaves you at the central station in Cologne.

    Check this thread here for more info on what to do there: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055187797


  • #18
    cailinoBAC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭cailinoBAC


    Trier is very close fo Frankfurt Hahn and has a good Christmas market. It's also a fantastic city - the oldest in Germany. As it was once the second city in the Roman Empire there are Roman ruins all about. Also, Luxembourg would be nice for a day, not sure what the Christmas markets are like there though.


  • #19
    parsi
    Site Banned Posts: 5,904 ✭✭✭parsi


    The Rhein towns have some good markets - there is a link on the Hahn website.


  • #20
    BoardsRanger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭BoardsRanger


    anybody have any suggestions or recommendations? heard nuremberg is nice. thanks in advance.
    p.s. a ryanair destination would be a plus.


  • #21
    Ponster
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,912 Mod ✭✭✭✭Ponster


    jester77 gave me wonderful info last year :

    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055185222

    We're off to Berlin this year...


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  • #22
    Moanin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭Moanin


    I was in Bremen last year. I was fantastic and really nice atmosphere there. Ryanair fly there and you can get a tram from outside the airport terminal straight into the city centre. It only takes about 15 mins!


  • #23
    BoardsRanger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭BoardsRanger


    thanks for the info so far. ive googled bremen and it looks really nice. is it a good place for shopping? any other suggestions welcome


  • #24
    Moanin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭Moanin


    BoardsRanger wrote: »
    thanks for the info so far. ive googled bremen and it looks really nice. is it a good place for shopping? any other suggestions welcome

    Yes very good for shopping and the shops stay open very late at weekends. It's alot cheaper than Ireland and the christmas atmosphere is fabulous!


  • #25
    olaola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,139 ✭✭✭olaola


    Nurnburg is nice - and it's easy to get to from Munich airport. The town is small and pretty and there is a really decent Ibis just inside the town walls opposite the HBF. And well... there are nurnbergers... HAHM!

    IMO Dusseldorf is the best market. The airport is close to the city, and the Aer Lingus flights are at perfect times to make the best out of the weekend.
    The market there is REALLY big, and it snakes around a lot of the streets. There are actually decent things to buy (which I didn't see in Munich or Nurnburg) You could also get a flight to Koln with German wings if you wanted a cheaper option - it's about a 40 min train ride away.


  • #26
    drunk_monk
    Registered Users Posts: 719 ✭✭✭drunk_monk


    My OH and I are flying to Baden-Baden with Ryanair and taking in 3 christmas markets.
    First Baden-Baden then on to Karlsruhe (20 minutes train €9.50) then on to Heidelberg (45 minutes train €9.90) then back to Baden-Baden. 3 nights 3 different markets, we can't wait :)
    More info on all of the German christmas markets can be found here:

    http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/


  • #27
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    my friends went to frankfurt last year and loved it, i'm going back with them this year....


  • #28
    BoardsRanger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭BoardsRanger


    decisions decisions!! rite im going to google baden baden and dusseldorf. i was looking at frankfurt last nite and it looked great. i can get really good deals for there also. 4-5star hotel and flights in the region of €250 each for 3 nights.
    just back to the shopping issue and to keep the other half happy- she would be more interested in the high street type shopping rather than traditional shopping for christmas items and decorations. which areas would suit her best?


  • #29
    olaola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,139 ✭✭✭olaola


    Dusseldorf has fabulous shopping - from the Schadow Arkaden to the Ko - all the big names within walking distance to each other.


  • #30
    Moanin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭Moanin


    drunk_monk wrote: »
    My OH and I are flying to Baden-Baden with Ryanair and taking in 3 christmas markets.
    First Baden-Baden then on to Karlsruhe (20 minutes train €9.50) then on to Heidelberg (45 minutes train €9.90) then back to Baden-Baden. 3 nights 3 different markets, we can't wait :)
    More info on all of the German christmas markets can be found here:

    http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/

    I was at Baden Baden Markets 3 years ago. To be honest it is a very small market and the city is very expensive for accomodation and eating out


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  • #31
    Sin scéal eile
    Closed Accounts Posts: 131 ✭✭Sin scéal eile


    One of the more famous Christmas Markets in Germany is the Strietzelmarkt in Dresden, my all time favourite ist the Christmas Market in Bautzen (a small town near Dresden) it's only a small market, but that's what makes it so good, it's not as full as the larger markets adn has a real christmas air about it.

    In Berlin I always go the the "Weihnachtsmarkt am Opernpalais", the Christmas Market in Berlin-Spandau is also very nice.

    Take a look here I'm sure you'll find something:
    http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-international.de/


  • #32
    BoardsRanger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 706 ✭✭✭BoardsRanger


    Sin scéal eile wrote: »
    One of the more famous Christmas Markets in Germany is the Strietzelmarkt in Dresden, my all time favourite ist the Christmas Market in Bautzen (a small town near Dresden) it's only a small market, but that's what makes it so good, it's not as full as the larger markets adn has a real christmas air about it.

    In Berlin I always go the the "Weihnachtsmarkt am Opernpalais", the Christmas Market in Berlin-Spandau is also very nice.

    Take a look here I'm sure you'll find something:
    http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-international.de/
    thanks for the suggestion- we looked at dresden and it was our first choice, however we found the flights there to be relatively expensive since ryanair do not fly there.


  • #33
    lushballs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 196 ✭✭lushballs


    Any hotel recommendations for Dusseldorf?


  • #34
    dixiefly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,950 ✭✭✭dixiefly


    drunk_monk wrote: »
    My OH and I are flying to Baden-Baden with Ryanair and taking in 3 christmas markets.
    First Baden-Baden then on to Karlsruhe (20 minutes train €9.50) then on to Heidelberg (45 minutes train €9.90) then back to Baden-Baden. 3 nights 3 different markets, we can't wait :)
    More info on all of the German christmas markets can be found here:

    http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/
    I have been in the marets in Nuremburg, Frankfurt, Heidelberg and Rothenburg on Der Taber. Heidelberg while being a nice city had a poor enough Christmas Market.

    depending on the number of days, we spent one of our breaks in Frankfurt and Rothenburg on der Taber a fantastic medieval town - it is a straightforward enough train journey from Frankfurt. The Frankfurt market is very big and in the old part of the city.


  • #35
    olaola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,139 ✭✭✭olaola


    lushballs wrote: »
    Any hotel recommendations for Dusseldorf?

    We got a great deal in the new Radisson http://www.radissonsas.com/cs/Satellite?pagename=RadissonSAS/integration/hotelInfo&language=en&hotelCode=duszr last time we were there. It's a little out of the main city though.

    www.accorhotels.com have a good few decent hotels in Dus too - worth a look and can be good value.


  • #36
    dubgirl15
    Registered Users Posts: 140 ✭✭dubgirl15


    thinking of going to the prague christmas markets in December. Has anyone been that could recommned somewhere nice to stay and what to do?

    thanks


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  • #37
    WindSock
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    Heres a search of all previous Prague threads

    http://boards.ie/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=3775348


  • #38
    pw01
    Closed Accounts Posts: 168 ✭✭pw01


    Hi, i know its a little early but wanted to book flights while there still cheap!

    Was thinkin Berlin or Frankfurt?

    Does any1 have any experiences?Recommend hotels?Would like to go were there is a good enough nigh life as well!!
    Are they worth a visit?


  • #39
    rossie1977
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,365 ✭✭✭✭rossie1977


    i wouldn't bother with frankfurt for nightlife, tonnes of bars yes but nobody in them most nights :(

    Nuremberg is renowed for having the best christmas market in germany, never been there though

    berlin has good markets, caught the end of them last year around new years eve, there is great nightlife in berlin and tonnes of others things to see and do so if you are deciding between frankfurt and berlin then its a no-brainer imo, oh yeah and ryanair fly direct into berlin to unlike frankfurt where they leave you 1hr 30mins away


  • #40
    Dublin_Gunner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,692 ✭✭✭Dublin_Gunner


    Was in Berlin myself last Christmas time (around the start of December) and had a great time. Lots of lovely German markets with hand made ornaments, foods, CHOCOLATE!!! He he!

    Oh, and tonnes of clubs, pubs etc etc and a great transport system.

    Berlin, definitely.


  • #41
    lord lucan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,577 ✭✭✭lord lucan


    Dublin_Gunner wrote: »
    Was in Berlin myself last Christmas time (around the start of December) and had a great time. Lots of lovely German markets with hand made ornaments, foods, CHOCOLATE!!! He he!

    Oh, and tonnes of clubs, pubs etc etc and a great transport system.

    Berlin, definitely.

    +1.

    Lots to see and do besides the markets and great pubs. Train from schonfeld airport brings you right into the heart of the city and the U-Bahn is great for getting around.


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  • #42
    Dublin_Gunner
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,692 ✭✭✭Dublin_Gunner


    lord lucan wrote: »
    +1.

    Lots to see and do besides the markets and great pubs. Train from schonfeld airport brings you right into the heart of the city and the U-Bahn is great for getting around.


    Definitely. There's lots of cool stuff to see. The holocaust memorial has got to be one of the eeriest places I've been.

    Then you've got the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Kaiser Wilhelm MemorialChurch, Check Point Charlie etc etc

    More than enough to keep any visitor occupied for a long weekend :)


  • #43
    Quint
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,407 ✭✭✭Quint


    I'm heading to Cologne, supposed to be the best christmas market in europe. Fly to Dusselforf, the train goes direct from Dusseldorf airport to Cologne (think it's direct, haven't checked that yet). The 5* Hilton is right in the centre of town, you stay there for €120 per room, per night!
    Plus, you have Koln Dom, as I said in another thread - one of the most impressive buildings in the world!


  • #44
    19bm82
    Registered Users Posts: 20 ✭19bm82


    hi guys,

    the girlfriend was talking about going over to one of the german cities for the chrismas markets,

    have to say shopping is not really my thing, but do enjoy travel etc,

    would there be enough to keep me occupied.

    also when do the markets get going.

    any info much appreciated


  • #45
    finbarrk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,478 ✭✭✭finbarrk


    This has been discussed a few times before on here. Cologne was recommended to me by a German anyway but I still didn't get to go.


    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055383574&highlight=christmas+markets+germany


  • #46
    tfak85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭tfak85


    myself and my boyfriend are thinking of going to the munich christmas markets this year, we went to berlin last year and fancy something a bit colder this year...
    i've been searching around and everything is so expensive, does anyone know of a website or travel company doing good deals on flight and hotel?

    me being a student we have to go really close to christmas (19th-23rd) so i think this is probably pushing the price up a little....


  • #47
    olaola
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,139 ✭✭✭olaola


    I've been to Munich Christmas market, and thought others were better.
    TBH, I'd head to Nurnberg or Dusseldorf ahead of Munich.

    Look for cheap flights to any city - and try www.accorhotels.com for cheap hotels.


  • #48
    munchkin_utd
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,907 ✭✭✭munchkin_utd


    Flightwise, you can get return flights for 130 incl taxes for a pre christmas break with aerlingus.
    Ryanair are only 85 return to Memmingen and theres a bus for 16 euro each way from there so its another option.

    Accomodation is as cheap as you want it (or you can have irish prices too if you are feeling rich)
    www.hrs.de is a great place for hotels in Germany. If you list by distance to the centre, and use the price sliders to elimiate the expensive hotels, you should be able to find something on a budget
    Pricewise, theres lots of choice at the 60 euro a night range and if you can stump up a few more euros, something like the swish new 4star Novotel Muenchen City is only 80 euro a night for the nights you mentioned.

    If you are really skint, then hostelworld.com has hostels from 12 euros a night per person or something. Most hostels are near the main station so you wont get more central either. Wombats is only a few years old so i'd recommend it but the others are fine.

    Re xmas markets, theres more than just the one on the main square Marienplatz. I actually avoid it like the plague, especially at weekends as it can get crowded at peak times of the evening or weekend (which is EXACTLY when im not at work but as a tourist you wont have this problem during the day). Theres lots of other smaller christmas markets scattered about the town, and one massive one at the octoberfest grounds that has a number of heated tents with bars and music along with the stands.

    From Munich you can take a day trip to Nuremburg or Salzburg christmas markets easily too. Theres a 28euro day group train ticket for up to 5 adults called the Bayern ticket (also does undergound in Munich and Nürnberg) so if youre on a budget you can do this for cheap.


  • #49
    tfak85
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,068 ✭✭✭tfak85


    wow, thank you munchkin_utd!!!
    we booked with aerlingus and are staying at tryp munchen which i think is pretty close to the oktoberfest grounds.... also booked a day trip to salzburg which is really exciting!

    have been trying to find a day trip to the black forest though and having no joy, do you know of any companies i might look up?

    i can't wait for this trip, last year our days were fuelled with bratwurst, quark balls, kinderpunch (i don't drink) and plenty of hot chocolate and bier!


  • #50
    silvine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,132 ✭✭✭silvine


    Who'd you book the Salzburg trip with? How much was it?


  • #51
    netwhizkid
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,558 ✭✭✭netwhizkid


    If Bayern Munich are playing up at the Allianz arena try and take it in also, was there in March and even though it was -5c I had a massive time and Munich is an absolutely smashing city. Go to the "Kultfabric" area near Ostabahnhof which is a massive special clubbing and party district with great discotheques* and bars.

    *Nite Clubs in Europe usually mean either a strip joint or brothel so discotheques are the equivalent of our clubs, usually with more techno and dance music.


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