As a child and later as a military wife, I lived in Germany. While living in Nuremberg, behind the…read moreScholler factory, it was there that my heart found home. Christmas was always my favorite holiday, but the weihnachtsmarkt in downtown Nuremberg was a fairy tale wonderland! Walking in the drifting snow, drinking hot Gluhwein, smells all the wonderful scents riding by on snowflakes and shopping for all things Christmas! People everywhere, happy, jolly and as much a part of the scene as was I. Crowed, yes,, but the feeling of the Holiday negated any sort of crushed sensation! It was wonderful. It was magical. It was something that we did every year we were there. Catching a Strassenbahn or a taxi made the trip even more adventurous and fun. This is one place, one time, and one city that everyone should visit, at least once to discover that the joy of Christmas is alive and flourishing in Old City Nuremberg, Germany.

Visiting the Nürnberg Christkindlesmarkt was an unforgettable experience. The entire market feels…read morelike something out of a storybook, with rows of beautifully decorated wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and the historic city backdrop creating a truly festive atmosphere. There's no shortage of incredible food and drinks--warm glühwein served in collectible mugs, delicious lebkuchen, bratwurst, and other traditional treats that are perfectly suited for a cold winter evening. Every stall we visited was welcoming, and the quality of the food and handmade goods was excellent. What really stood out was the charm and authenticity of the market. It's lively without feeling overwhelming, and you can genuinely feel the history and tradition behind it. Whether you're shopping for unique gifts, enjoying seasonal food, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, this market is a must-visit during the Christmas season. And don't forget to order the "drei I'm weckla." It's three nurnberger sausages in a bread roll.

The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is one of the most famous Christmas markets in the world. It was…read morecertainly the biggest Christmas market that we had gone to during our trip. Every time we turned a corner, there was more! There are also three smaller side markets to this - a market devoted to just Franconian food and wares, a market devoted to sister cities from all over the world, and a children's market with small rides. At the Christkindlmarkt, we had Dampfnudel smothered in a vanilla cream sauce. It honestly tasted a bit like a mantao with sweet cream sauce. We also had Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, which are small, flavorful pork sausages that are grilled and served in a bun or with sauerkraut. We also had Schaschlik mit Brötchen, a popular German street food of tender, saucy meat skewers (often pork, bacon, onion, peppers) that is served with a hearty tomato-based sauce and a piece of crusty bread roll to soak up the sauce. And of course, we had to get a Glühwein!

This is a very fun local beer fest - we had no idea it was going on but our hotel staff clued us…read morein. I'm pretty sure we were the only tourists for miles as the tents were packed with groups and families having a great time. We managed to get in one for dinner but make a reservation if you can! I loved that I could get great wine along with my dinner and I especially loved that they had a rotating bar in the center of it all for some reason. We had just come from "big Oktoberfest" in Munich but I found this charming local fest to be a bit more my speed!