German Christmas Markets

[g3org3y]

Anyone been?

Any particular suggestions?

Thinking of going mid November, likely as part of a driving holiday.

TIA

[ewenm]

I enjoyed Hamburg a few years ago. It helped that I was with a local :gluhwein:

[Markytop]

Check with the tourist board of the places where you are thinking of visiting for opening times as many Xmas markets won't be open in mid-November. In many cases Advent Sunday (2nd December this year) is the first opening day.

In terms of location I went to Berlin for the markets a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed them, lots of different areas of the city hold markets, same kind of stalls, but a wide variety in a great city for normal xmas shopping too.

Also been to Trier (given I now live over the border in Luxembourg) - smaller than Berlin, but more Xmas-y - worth a visit even if just driving through. Luxembourg one is more food based than actual crafts or gifts.

[ALawson]

Been to Berlin once and Cologne three times, all much of a muchness and a good laugh. Choose a city where there is other stuff to do, it gets boring trying to eat at every different stall.....

[TangerinePool]

Really wanting to do this too! Absolutely love the time of year and will easily get lost in it all like a big kid especially if there is snee

Been to Berlin a few times already but never around Christmas.

[bluelightbabe]

I've been a few times....Cologne/Koblenz in the same trip, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Prague (not German but they still have the markets).

It's difficult to say which was my favourite really. I liked them all for different reasons. But for an overall good trip I'd go for Berlin or Prague just because there is a lot more to do than the markets and you have the stunning buildings and history of the places too.

You might find this website useful: http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/ It has all the dates on there and a bit about each place.

[g3org3y]

Thanks for the info

[Hugo a Gogo]

Aachen is another good one, Cologne is an easy flight and a good city for a night out (Aachen isn't far from Cologne either)

Düsseldorf is a good night out too

edit: Driving, sorry

Aachen is your closest one, you can head down into the Eifel area too, places like Cochem have a big market too

Trier is a nice spot too

Edited by Hugo a Gogo on Friday 12th October 08:29

[5potTurbo]

Hugo a Gogo said:

Trier is a nice spot too

Seconded - about 40km from me.

Mind you, Luxembourg has a good Christmas Market - albeit small. It's great for Gluhwein and very unhealthy food though.

[g3org3y]

Having a look on the website it looks like unfortunately we'll be a week or so too early.

Planning on leaving on 9th Nov and returning 18th.

Got a couple of other plans including perhaps driving around Holland or maybe to Copenhagen.

[5potTurbo]

Err, yes - November's too early as Christmas is in December!

[g3org3y]

5potTurbo said:

Err, yes - November's too early as Christmas is in December!

I was tricked by the early Christmas items in the shops! :P

(Seriously though, our local supermarkets have started the Christmas malarkey already).

[Hugo a Gogo]

going to Holland for a driving holiday makes as much sense as going there for a mountain climbing holiday (except they don't give out nearly as many fines for climbing slightly too quickly)

[ILoveMondeo]

The one in Manchester is not bad

[majordad]

Bernkastel-Kues on the Mosselle, market opening night is Sat 24th Nov at 5pm. Been there 4 times in past 10yrs, flying Ryanair to Hahn which is 30 mins away.

[fatpasty]

This has got me thinking.

Now looking in to flights and hotels to see how much it is going to cost to go to one of the markets this year.

[Pickled Piper]

Yes Birmingham.

Frankfurt Christmas market has visited for the last ten years.

Great place for overpriced sausages and chocolate covered friuit.



pp

[5potTurbo]

PP becomes Pied Piper?