By Jessica Noguez
Winter has started. The days are shorter and darker. It is quite cold, and it rains almost all the time. I will have to wear the same four-kilogram puffy jacket for months, until spring arrives.
The first Christmas market I saw was in Basel, Switzerland, along the Rhine River. I remember I was walking towards the city center, when suddenly, I saw a small village that looked like a Christmas fairy tale: small wooden stands in the shape of little Alpine houses with snow on the roof and many lights everywhere. I wanted to get lost in there. There were plenty of yummy treats such as gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, crepes, wine, chocolates, apple strudel, grilled sausages, soap, etc. So many things to see, to smell, to eat. There were stands selling toys, wool scarves, gloves, handcrafts, and charitable products.
You will usually find a typical European Christmas market in historic or public places. They have a long tradition in Europe and have been set up every winter since the 14th century in many German-speaking cities. They originally served as warm meeting points for locals and tourists.
The decoration is completely Christmassy, with trees, ornaments, and lights. Often there are cultural activities to entertain you, such as concerts with Christmas songs and choirs. And sometimes you can even practice your favorite winter activity, such as ice-skating, and some markets even include a little ice rink. Walking through these markets almost makes me forget the cold: they are cheerful, warm, romantic, cozy, and truly beautiful. They will make you love Christmas a little bit, even if you are not a Christmas person (like me).
Do you want to know what’s my favorite activity when I go? Drinking glühwein, of course! The most typical drink in Christmas markets. A German friend made me try it for the first time in Basel, in 2003. He told me it was to fight the cold, and it worked! Glühwein is a delicious, hot alcoholic drink, made with red wine, sugar, citrus and spices (like cinnamon and cloves). I know that for some of you the idea of warm wine doesn’t sound tasty, but trust me, you should try it!
You can even try to make glühwein at home for your Christmas parties, like many Europeans (especially from Northern Europe). Just look for a nice recipe (Google it). It is very easy to make.
In recent years, it has also become a tradition to collect the mugs where they serve you glühwein. Tourists typically buy them as souvenirs. The mugs are often ugly (like ugly Christmas sweaters), but who cares? It is a fun and useful souvenir. Who wouldn’t like to have their morning coffee in an ugly Christmas mug?
Roasted chestnuts and apple strudel are also delicious things to eat at Christmas markets. The Apfelstrudel or apple strudel is a typical dessert from Austria and southern Germany that is served with hot vanilla cream on top (you can get vanilla ice cream instead, but it is not my favorite thing when I’m freezing).
If you come to Europe in the winter (before Christmas) and want to visit a nice Christmas market, it will be easy to find one in many European cities in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Spain, Scotland, and England. These markets are so attractive that even Canada and the United States already have their own in cities such as Vancouver, New York, and Chicago.
So, do you want to visit a Christmas market now, despite the cold? I hope I convinced you!
All photos @jessicanoguezg
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For more ideas for traveling this Christmas, click here:
Take A Peek Inside The Serene And Whimsical Gardens Of South Korea
The Ultimate Christmas Gift: Disappearing & Starting Your Life All Over Again
Secret Spots In Krakow That The Locals Love
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