Christmas Markets

As soon as people who had lived in Germany heard we were moving here, they told us "Christmas Markets!"  That is the best part about living in Germany at Christmas time.  It is truly magical, wandering around medieval settings, hearing music in the back ground, sipping hot cider and eating warm bread or scones or fried apples.  I love it!!!  We didn't get to go to as many as I would have liked, and I have still have a list of about 10 I want to hit next year. But we made a good dent.  Our first Christmas market was Nurnberg, which is the biggest in the area.

The next weekend we traveled about 40 minutes south to Nonnberg and went to a market that was held in Guteneck Schloss.

 Warming up.  The kids wouldn't get too close, they were afraid of catching fire.

 This Christmas Market had stable animals you could ride.  Anya and Cora both wanted to ride the camel.  Anya called it a "once in a lifetime experience".

 Gluwein is all the rage at Christmas Markets.  Mostly that is what you see the locals doing, standing around fires or heaters, sipping their mugs of Gluwein.  Since we are L.D.S., and we don't consume alcohol, we contented ourselves with the warm kinderpunsch...which is just like warm apple cider or wassle.  Very tasty.

 Next we hit Rothenburg Or De Tauber

This one was my favorite our of all the ones we went too.  The old town is still surrounded by a wall that is beautifully maintained.  When you step through the city gate it is like stepping back in time.

 Some of the booths and wares

 your done already?  we have more to see and more to do!

 Matt had to try this, it was called the "half-meter sausage"

 I have to admit, not being much of a meat eater myself, that it was pretty tasty.

 We were all the way in Rothenburg, we had to go up on the city wall.

 Cora, with the town's skyline in the background

 Tried to take one of me and Cora...it kind of worked.

ahhh, Rothenburg, we can't wait to come back when it is warmer and see all you have to offer.  We also want to go on the Night watchman's tour, so stay tuned in warmer months

We went to a couple of other Christmas Markets that I didn't get any pictures of, because it was after dark when we went.  My camera doesn't do well after dark falls.  We went to Weiden's Christmas Market, which was quaint yet fun.  We also went to Bayreuth's Christmas market, which was really fun.  The girls liked that one, because they remembered to bring their money and were able to by presents for their sister's at the market.

I can't wait for next year's Christmas Markets!!!