In Photos: German Christmas Markets.
I’ve forever romanticized about a white winter in Europe. The kind where I would watch snowflakes gently descend upon cobbled streets, and look poetically at the gloomy skies for a ray of sunshine. On this whirlwind trip across Germany with Lufthansa and German Tourism, I did just that. I sipped my first of many cups of gluhwein in Frankfurt, found myself in a time warp with Rothenburg’s medieval era festivities, fell in love with the colorful celebrations in Cologne and Berlin in the backdrop of quaint old churches, and revisited Dresden with much nostalgia.
It was festive and charming, but just so cold, reminding me of What I’ve Learnt From Winter in Europe. By the time you’re reading this, I’ll be on my way back to sunshine!
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1. AERIAL VIEW OF DRESDEN’S CHRISTMAS MARKETSÂ
from a Ferris Wheel! Glittery festivities lie in contrast against gloomy midday skies, symbolic of winter in Europe.
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2. A LOCAL ARTIST’S WOOD-CARVING COLLECTION
at Cologne’s Christmas Market aka Weihnachtsmärkte on the Alter Markt; wood-carvers, crystal painters, glass glazers, all showcased their talent live here.
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3. ROTHENBURG’S FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS MARKET
This fake white Christmas can be experienced round the year at Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum shop and museum; we would witness a real white Christmas two days later in Berlin and Dresden!
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 4. A TASTE OF CHRISTMAS FROM AROUND EUROPE
with local delicacies; this is freshly baked sweet bread dipped in nuts, from Hungary.
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 5. COLOGNE’S MOST FAMOUS CHRISTMAS MARKET
in the dramatic backdrop of its oldest cathedral. The charm of the city is irresistible.
Read: A Time Traveller’s Guide to Southwest Germany
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6. TASTING GLUBIER IN AN OLD BREWERY
that is now a small Christmas Market in Cologne. Such charming ambiance to sip warm cherry-flavored beer in, by a bonfire.
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 7. MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN ROTHENBURG
Back in the 14th century, a night guard would do the rounds after dark and hang up lanterns across the village; the tradition is now upheld every winter night by kids in the village’s old town.
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8. ROMANCE IN THE RAIN
at the Christmas Markets in Cologne. Rain or snow, the show must go on!
Read: First time to Germany? Practical Tips to Plan Your Travels
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9. SAYING PROST OVER GLUHWEIN
with fellow bloggers at a cosy, indoor bar in Berlin.
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 10. STROLLING ALONG BERLIN’S CHRISTMAS MARKETS
in the backdrop of quaint, historical churches.
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 11. FALLING IN LOVE
with Christmas in Germany!
What were (are) your impressions of German Christmas Markets? Would you brave the cold to see them someday?
Note: I was invited on this trip by Lufthansa Airlines and the German National Tourist Board.
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Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
Another engrossing story and another resolve to travel more. Thanks for constant inspiration Shivya.
Thanks! Glad it made you want to travel more 🙂
Hi Shivya!!!!
Great Pics … and have a great time in Germany.
Cheers
Karan
Thanks Karan!
I thought I was having a stroke or something and then I realised it was just falling snow on your blog. Haha!
Ugh, I LOVE Christmas markets in Europe, and this just makes me miss them so much. Beautiful photos! x
HAHA! I love the snow feature on WordPress; makes me want to read my own blog too 😉 I know what you mean, I already miss the festivities!
Been to Germany several times but never over Christmas! Thanks for bringing that to us!!!
I’m glad I could! Plan your next trip around Christmas; would be fun to see the contrasts 🙂
awesome pics….keep on posting such wonderful pics…good luck….
http://rediscoveryourdreams.wordpress.com/
Thanks Kaushal!
PS: Get a picture for your comment avatar and link your name to your blog – easier to click through that way 🙂
sure, I will do it….i m new to the blogging community and still figuring out the technicalities….
Awesome pics Shivya.. sure would love to visit this place some Christmas.. for now can njoy through your cam 🙂 Njoy!
Thanks Anand! Hope you make it there soon 🙂
Congratulations!!
For surviving the start of winter in Europe? Thanks 😉
Loved the pics and the details! I love Christmas, and I love Europe (never been there – it’s a dream destination), so visiting the Christmas markets would be a real treat for me. I would brave the cold to visit them, yes. 🙂
Thanks! I have a feeling you’d love the Christmas markets. I loved how cheerful and festive it all was, despite the cold.
I would go, I’ve already been to Germany in March and it was pretty cold, and that is coming from a Canadian. London does a lot of mock up German markets so I get a taste of what it would be like closer to home.
I can imagine! Aha, I think there are some mock German markets in India too, but I doubt they compare to the real thing. Would be interesting to see you compare the London ones with those in Germany. Go soon 🙂
Lovely photos as usual 🙂 Germany Christmas markets look inviting, but braving the cold is another story! I mean, you were quite brave to undergo that kind of cold!
Hi there,
Good tour through the Weinachtmarkt’s of Deutschland. Looks like the Christmas celebrations have already started there. Apart from Gluhwein, what are the other local specialities from the Weinachtmarkts?
This is just lovely! How long were you there Shivya? I was planning to take the trip this winter. Is a ten day thing good enough.