I can’t even type about the
Christmas Markets without smiling. It was so much fun. And this is
coming from a girl who had to wear an eye patch and ice her nose all
weekend. I was the happiest little Christmas pirate Germany has ever
seen.
early 17th
century, Christmas markets in Germany started selling traditional
local gifts: nutcrackers, wooden figurines, glass balls, toys and
sweets. History has it that originally Christmas markets were held around the city’s main
church to attract church-goers. However, they became so popular and
enticing that a priest in Nürnberg in the early 1600’s complained that
he could not hold the church service on Christmas Eve because no one
attended… Oops! It must have been the gluhwein (hot, spiced
wine)!
take place in Old Town and consist of tents and stands selling German
goods, foods and drinks. There is also live music, carolers, and ice
skating. It’s just the happiest place on earth really… Like a German
Christmas Disney World or something.
Overlooking the river, the beautiful Heidelberg Schloss
Castle has with even more Christmas markets (and gorgeous views)!
We went up the castle close to dusk and it was super foggy and felt
really mysterious like we were in a murder mystery or a Nancy Drew
novel. Or maybe just I felt like I was in a Nancy Drew novel…. Maybe
it was the eye patch.
The food…. Oh my gosh…. I didn’t really
like German food when Amy and I visited Munich a few years ago so my
expectations were really low, but hot dang! We had the bessssst food.
I mostly ate salads hoping the vitamins would help heal my bruises,
but even my salads were amazing! Hackteufel and
Goldener
Hecht are both wonderful, authentic German restaurants
that I highly recommend.
The Heidelberg Christmas Markets are perfect for a weekend trip
and a great excuse to start Christmas shopping. I am super thankful for a weekend with
such wonderful friends. We had such a fun and easy weekend
together. I will be blogging and instagramming more euro travel adventures so stay tuned!
Feliz
Navidad from Madrid!
Accommodation
Information: Hotel Heidelberg could not have been cuter! It was
decorated for Christmas and so cozy and welcoming. The bar and
restaurant were packed all weekend with loud, smiling
Germans. The owners are wonderful and go out of their way to make you
feel right at home.