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
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