Christmas Markets
Christmas Market in Frankfurt
Tuesday, December 6th, 2011
Date: 4th December 2011
Destination: A pub in London
Attendees: Me and my friend Jamie
“Oh, you’ve just been to a German Christmas market? I don’t know what all the fuss is about, isn’t it just mulled wine and stalls selling pointless gifts?”
Jamie always had a way with words.
“Well, yes, but it’s not just about mulled wine and pointless gifts”
“So, go on then, what else does it offer? Convince me it’s anything but that and the next round’s on me”
“Well…let me explain”
Date: 2nd December 2011
Destination: Frankfurt Christmas market, Germany.
Attendees: Me and thousands of festive market-goers.
Frankfurt is a business city but during a few weeks in November and December the city centre is given a make-over that Gok Wan would be proud of. Christmas markets take over. Attracting over 3 million visitors each year, the markets are split up into several sections throughout the city and are home to over 200 stalls. You cannot help but get carried away by the festive atmosphere.
There are of course stalls selling traditional mulled wine (Gluhwein) and homemade crafts. A Christmas market wouldn’t be the same without them. There is however, much more to see and do. There are live bands playing Christmas classics, a beautifully lit Christmas tree towering over the Römerberg market square, a steam train which travels along the picturesque River Main and a visit from Santa Claus himself (I think it was a German man in a Santa suit but I guess I’ll never know).
A speciality in Frankfurt is Applewine, a hot cider which is perfect in the cold weather and you can’t walk two steps without seeing somebody eating a “Bethmännchen”, Frankfurt’s popular marzipan treat. It is well worth visiting the unique 300 year-old half-timbered “honey house” at St Paul’s Square and climbing the steps of St Nicholas Church for the best views over the Christmas markets. All in all, it is the perfect place to spend a few days.
Frankfurt is home to undoubtedly the best Christmas market I’ve been to. I wouldn’t think twice about going back and I’ll be recommending it to all.
Date: 4th December 2011
Destination: A pub in London
Attendees: Me and my friend Jamie
“Oh, so maybe there is more to German Christmas markets”
“There sure is. Looks like it’s your round. Pint of Becks please”
I always did have a way with words.
Christmas in Bruges
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Our little 3 day bags were packed, Railbookers documentation (complete with maps and timetables) were safe in our hand luggage and the Eurostar was on time-who says the snow and ice always causes delays! My mum and I were on a mini Christmas Market adventure to Bruges.
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Bruges & Brussels at Christmas
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
I had previously been to Bruges during the summer, and whilst it’s great to wander round Bruges in the sunshine and have coffee and pastries in the cafes on the cobbled streets, it is nearing Christmas and I hadn’t started my Christmas shopping. I hadn’t seen Bruges during Christmas before, and the Christmas markets are always so popular I thought that I would go and see what all of the fuss was about.
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