Probably one of the most common words of travel advice we have received since moving to Europe is "you just HAVE to visit the Christmas Markets in Germany!" And although Jo and I had a chance to see a couple of the Belgian Christmas Markets last winter, we have been politely told that no one does them as well as the Germans...
So we were quite excited to spend an extended weekend in nearby Cologne, Germany to check out the festivities. There are literally hundreds of Christmas Markets held all over Deutschland, with many of the larger cities having more than one. In fact, Cologne has six this year, including a floating Christmas Market, held on a river boat!
Christmas Markets are basically very large outdoor winter parties that attract huge crowds. People show up in snow, rain or shine to gather with family and friends and kick off the holiday season.
We found that the crowds can be especially large during the prime weekend hours, but luckily our girls are early-risers, so we usually beat the crowd in the morning. However, by midday, it becomes very difficult to make our way through, with the girls and our stroller in tow.
We found that the crowds can be especially large during the prime weekend hours, but luckily our girls are early-risers, so we usually beat the crowd in the morning. However, by midday, it becomes very difficult to make our way through, with the girls and our stroller in tow.
Food and warm alcoholic drinks are a big part of the Christmas Market experience. Hundreds of vendors set up booths to sell such delectables as candies, baked goods, pretzels, candied nuts, barbequed meats and strudels. Our favorites were the wonderful roasted bratwursts, spiced (and spiked!) hot cider served in colorful festive mugs and baked apples stuffed with nuts and cranberries, served warm from the oven, drizzled with a sweet vanilla sauce.
The Cologne cathedral served as a dramatic backdrop to one of the Christmas markets held in Cologne.
Nothing like a candy apple break to keep the girls occupied...
The girls were able to enjoy the many rides at the Christmas market.
All in all, we had a very nice weekend in Cologne getting into the festive Holiday spirit. As an added bonus, St. Nicolas eve fell on this weekend. On this special night celebrated all over Europe, children who were good all year were visited by St. Nicolas and received a nice gift. The kids that were bad during the year received something, shall we say, not so nice.
Our girls woke up to find that St. Nicolas was able to come by the 3rd floor of the Cologne Marriott and left two nice gifts in front of our door. We knew he would bring one, but were surprised to actually see two gifts.
I guess PS got lucky this year...
No comments:
Post a Comment