Christmas Markets

  A major highlight of any Christmas trip to Germany must be the Christmas markets (or Christkindlmarkt).  Let me clear up any misconceptions about the term "Christmas markets" - These are not hectic, highly commercial events with frantic shoppers running around doing last minute shopping.  The Christmas markets are very festive affairs which are tastefully decorated on traditional lines and are punctuated with traditional Christmas music.  Attendees may browse the many stands of traditional Christmas gifts and decorations, or simply wander the market enjoying the festive atmosphere with the occasional stop for glühwein, cocoa, bratwurst, crepes, or other fest foods.  Christmas markets are more of an event to enjoy rather than an opportunity to shop. 

  Through many years of living in or visiting Germany I have visited a number of Christmas markets. Sentimental favorites include Nürnberg, Frankfurt, and Wiesbaden.  However,  I continue to discover new aspects of the markets and even entirely new markets that I had never visited.  Although the Nürnberg Christmas market is considered the biggest and one of the best in Germany, many of the smaller, less-known markets present the visitor with a deeper feeling of good cheer in a traditional old-world atmosphere.  Some of these are Regensburg, Salzburg (Austria), and Innsbrück (Austria).  For Christmas of 2013 we will visit several of these again, and perhaps discover a new one as we did in 2011.  We will continue our tradition of spending Christmas Eve day at the Munich Christmas market and the Victualen market in order to purchase our fresh foods for Christmas Eve dinner. 

Christmas markets for our 2013 trip may include:
Munich
Nürnburg
Salzburg
Regensburg
Innsbrück
Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Planning for 2013

   I am planning to spend Christmas in Germany between 20-29 December 2013.  Based upon a departure on December 20th, I'll be arriving in Munich on December 21st.  These dates will permit me to spend 8 full days in Germany before departing on December 29th.  During my stay I'll be visiting a number of Christmas markets such as those in Munich, Regensburg, Nurnberg, and Salzburg.  Additionally, I'll be doing some skiing and visiting regional sites such as castles and breweries.   As before, most of the time I'll be staying in Garmisch, with a short stay in Munich at the end of the trip. 

Friday 20 December 2013 - Departure
Saturday 21 December 2013 - Arrival in Germany
Sunday 29 December 2013 - Departure from Germany/Arrival in U.S.

Transportation while in Germany

Many people will assume the best way to travel while in Germany is to rent a car and take advantage of the excellent road system.  While the roads are excellent, the Autobahns may be intimidating to the un-initiated.  In fact, the average American driver is ill-equiped for the realities of the Autobahn.  For that reason, and because of the scenic, relaxing nature of the rail system in Germany, I recommend travel by train.  While living in Germany and during subsequent trips there I have found the rail system is the most efficient and stress free way to travel.  Our Christmas trips to Germany in 2009 and 2011 proved very successful in part becuase we were able to travel throughout Bavaria (Bayern) with ease at reasonable prices.  We were able to travel to-and-from the airport to Garmisch-Partenkirchen by train, as well as travelling to Nurnberg, Regensberg, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich, and more via the train.  Shorter trips in the vicinity of these cities or Garmisch were accomplished by utilizing the ancillary bus system. 

Recently, Deutsches Bahn (DB) began allowing people to purchase the Bayern Ticket which we utilized on our Christmas trips.  The Bayern Ticket enables a group of up-to five people to travel within Bavaria for the entire day for Euro 29.00, or about $45.00.  That is an unbeatable price to travel within Bavaria in comfort and convenience.  While rental cars may be practical for some trips within Germany, most travel can be accomodated using the efficient train system with the additional benefit of stress-free travel.

Bayern Ticket

 Buy a one day German Rail Länder Ticket and you could explore all the Christmas Markets in the state of Bayern for one amazing price of: up to 5 people: €29 single person: €21

Unlimited travel, one price, throughout Bayern (Bavaria) for up to 5 people, 9 a.m. until 3 a.m. of the following day and on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays from 0a.m. until 3 a.m. Valid on all local trains (Interregio-Express, Regional-Express, Regionalbahn, S-Bahn). Prices quoted are for 2011 ticket machine purchases only.

Christmas in Germany for 2013

Welcome to the inaugural post for my semi-annual Christmas in Germany for 2013.  I began what I hoped would be a new tradition in 2009 and it proved to be a wonderful, relaxing Christmas.  In 2009 Sydney and I visited the Christmas markets and other sights in Munich, Nurnberg, and Innsbruck, Austria.  We spent Christmas surrounded by the beautiful, snow covered Bavarian Alps and enjoyed a traditional midnight service on Christmas Eve. Additionally, we toured Linderhof palace, Ettal Abbey, conducted a torch light tour of Partnach Gorge, and managed to squeeze in a day of skiing.  As always we enjoyed the wonderful food of Germany.  The tradition continued for Christmas in 2011 when we again visited Christmas markets in Munich, Regensburg, and Salzburg, Austria.  We spent a day on the slopes again in Garmisch and also tried cross-country skiing for the first time.   We visited Neuschwanstein castle and spent an evening at the famous Hofbrauhaus in Munich.  Our gastronomic excursions began to take on the atmosphere of gluttony as I attempted to make up for lost time - I enjoyed the fresh bakery goods and meats, while Syd focused on the soups and sweets.  Sydney and I have centered our trip around the beautiful Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen where we found a quaint little gastehaus from which to branch out on daily excursions.  I plan to continue my new tradition for Christmas in 2013.  This is such a wonderful way to spend the Christmas holiday that I would do it every year were it not for family obligations. 

As I have in the past, I welcome family and friends to join us in Germany for this new tradition.  I fully understand that not everyone is able to participate, but this blog will be an information board for those who are able to participate or those who just wish to follow the progress as I prepare for the next trip.  In future posts I will discuss past trips and my plans for the next visit.  Additionally, I will include photos of the area and from our past trips.  I welcome your participation.  Frohe Weihnachten und ein Gutes Neues Jahr!