Tony and I had been hearing about these amazing Christmas Markets in Germany ever since we'd come to London. In fact there are many "German" Christmas Markets held in England celebrating the fact that the Germans know how to throw a Christmas Market.
One of the largest markets is in Nuremberg, this December, we made plans to visit Nuremberg and see an authentic one for ourselves.
Nuremberg is a beautiful city, and the Christmas markets in it (and there are several) are huge. There is the main, Chriskindlesmarkt, also the Kindersmarkt, and an International City Partners Market. We wandered around seeing all of them.
Little wooden stands open their doors and look like little jewelry boxes full of gold and glass.
One fun quirky Christmas Decoration that we saw on sale everywhere were these little "Prune People". They are people made out of dried fruit. And they come in all different shapes and occupations. Okay, then. . .
Everywhere were wonderful Christmasy things to temp your wallet. We managed to keep our spending to one Nutcracker.
Though crowded, I found it a delight to walk around taking in the Christmas ambiance. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and some of the vendors aren't open during the week.
Mornings are a good time to avoid crowds too, but it comes to life at night when all the lights come on.
We wandered around looking at it several times during our stay enjoying it at varying times during the day.
Carolers and Christmas bands provide the perfect musical accompaniment to put you in the mood.
One can find traditional German Lebkuchen (gingerbread) Cookies everywhere. They are celebrated in all shapes and sizes from square cookies with nuts to round cookies dipped in chocolate. Some are shaped like men or horses.
Some are decorated much like the traditional Oktoberfest cookies with writing on them and hung on strings so you can wear them around your neck.
We tried some from the stands, but found them to be a bit dry and tasteless. We ultimately went to a recommended bakery called "Lebkuchen Schmidt" where we found some really excellent tasty Lebkuchens. Tip: Avoid the ones in the tourist booths, and go to a bakery if you want a really good cookie.
I also tried some of the fruit cake. Unfortunately, I didn't really care for it. Costco US still makes the best from my experience. Then my Dad using my Grandmother's recipe.
They also made these interesting sweets called Schneeball (snowball). They were slightly crunchy, and had marzipan in them as well as different nut type fillings and coatings.
In addition to some wonderful Macaroon cookies, we also tried these marshmallow sweets that were covered with chocolate. Many were flavored as well.
Freshly grilled Bratwurst can be smelled cooking everywhere. How could we resist?
We tried the traditional Nuremberg Bratwurst, which are these delicious small sausages served with mustard and kraut.
We just had a lovely time walking around eating and drinking the market in. The weather was coldish, but not ridiculously cold, and it was mostly dry. Tony wasn't wild about the crowds, but I just took it as part of the whole experience.
We enjoyed the Gluhwein which is everywhere. Tony isn't too fond of mulled wine, but eventually found a mulled cider that was to his liking.
We also liked the Eierpunsch, which is similar to Eggnog.
very rich and tasty.
I tried a really good mulled wine called Heidelbeer Gluhwein, which is made from blueberries. They serve the wein in fun souvenir cups that you place a deposit on. If you don't want to keep it, just return it to the counter, and they give you back your deposit.
You can occasionally find both here in the UK. I think I've even seen it back in the states. I'll have to look for the heidelwein in stores here next year.
The Nuremberg Christmas Angel is the predominant symbol of the market. You will find her everywhere.
A woman dressed as the angel officially opens the market from a balcony overlooking the square, on the last weekend of November.
Lest one forgets the Christian reason for the season, you will also find many beautiful manger scenes.
The Germans really know how to do Christmas right. I guess this is why their Weihnachtsmarkt are emulated throughout the world.
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