patsylabrador Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 (edited) I'm very excited. OH and I am setting off in the early hours to drive to Heidelberg for the Christmas market. We went there last year and really loved it. I don't tend to buy much, but love the festive atmosphere and the smell of the food cooking and Gluhwein. Tomorrow we're going as far as Rochefort in Belgium and then into Germany on wednesday. OH has bought me a couple of nice little travel bath kits from Crabtree & Evelyn which was very nice of him. The family is going to be fed well while I'm away as one of MS's many talents is cheffing and as he can't get work at the moment he is going to cook for the rest of them. They tease me about raves but last year they had a very civilized Tapas party! I love driving off the train or ferry and just heading off into Europe, that's one of the highlights for me. We're also going to stop in Saarlouis which is an unnattractive industrial town but for some reason we like popping into a big supermarket there. Anyone else like Christmas Markets? Edited December 11, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Ooh I am envious! Hubby and I went to Baden Baden a few years ago for the Christmas market and had an absolutely wonderful time. Hubby grew up in Germany as his parents worked in the Forces schools but it was the first time I had ever been. I'd love to go again though. We did lots of fun things - ice skating on the outdoor rink, kaffe and kuchen (don't speak a word of German so hope I've spelt that right), in the evening we went to the Christmas market and had gluhwein and listened to the bands playing in the bandstand. There were so many beautiful things for sale too at the market - shoppers' paradise! Highlights included seeing a couple of rather tipsy Germans on a children's seesaw and spending our evenings in the market - lots and lots of gluhwein being drunk but everyone being friendly, polite and well behaved, very different to England where alcohol + crowds can often = trouble. It was just lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I would love to go to a Christmas market! We were going to go to one in Sweden this weekend but my dad isn't allowed time off work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Hi, I looked on Google and there might be a good market by Norwich Cathedral. Birmingham has a good one if that's within reach. I've been there a couple of times and it's pretty good. We've never been there in the evening so can't say what that's like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I'm lucky enough to be working in Belgium next week and made sure I have a hotel right next to the Grand Place in Brussels Last time I was there they had the market, the wine, the nibbles, the tree and a fantastic light show playing over the historic buildings. I can't quite remember if any chocolate or beer was involved Have fun - my favourite thing is to buy a bauble, usually glass, a keepsake for ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Cologne Christmas market around the cathedral is amazing, we went a couple of years ago. The street artists were playing classical music it was such a lovely atmosphere and there were so many wonderful stalls. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pips_pekins Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Have a wonderful time patsylabrador. I am very We have been to Berlin a few times for the Christmas markets and always enjoyed it. It always seemed to snow when we were there which made it feel even more festive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I haven't been abroad, but the Winchester Christmas market is very nice if anyone is around that area! It's held in the cathedral, although I must warn you that the mulled wine is very strong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 We have quite a nice one in the Millenium Square in Leeds. DS1 is off on Saturday night on a school trip to Lille and other Christmas markets in Northern France and Belgium. They are also visiting a chocolate experience in Bruges. Not in the least jealous... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TutuTallulah Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Anyone been to Manchester Christmas Market this year? I have been for the last 2 years and thoroughly enjoyed so have booked train tickets to go again next Monday. i'm hoping it won't be quite as cold as last year! I am hoping the coconut macaroon man will be there again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Lavenders_Blue - I went to Baden Baden last year on my way to Lake Garda, it was beautiful then. I can imagine it with a Christmas market. I'd love to go back and stay there as we literally stopped for lunch and had a quick wander round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Having just booked off this week next year,I really fancy a trip to one of these markets - the Baden Baden one sounds lovley. When in the season do they start & can anyone recommend a good package/Hotel to me please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I would recommend the Christmas Markets in the city of Lubeck near Hamburg in the north of Germany. A really beautiful city. Well worth a visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 The Baden Baden market is quite small, but then it is not a big town. But for 2/3 nights definitely worth a visit as there were lots of other lovely things to do/see there besides the market. I think you can check on Google when the markets are open, I seem to remember there were lots of websites showing the dates the markets are open. ETA - The dates of the Baden Baden market and others can be found here, should give an idea of next year's dates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I'm lucky as there is a decent Xmas market in our village next weekend. All indoor, so it can rain as much as it likes! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Two Saturday's ago I went to the Bath Christmas Market...I love Bath and it was lovely to be there, but the 'penguin walk' shuffling around the Christmas Market itself was a nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I went to the Birmingham Christmas Market on Saturday It's the second year i've been and i love it. I'm trying to persuade DH to take me to Lille next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I'm really lucky that I work all over Europe, but usually NEVER get a German night stop in December as everyone else bids for them However, next week, I get to Frankfurt at 10am and have all day/night there! Will be going straight to the market for Currywurst and chips! Hope you have a lovely time PL! German Christmas markets are fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sageandonion Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 Has anyone one been to the Christmas Market in Oxford? If so' is it any good? Wondering about going this Sunday. We usually go to Winchester but fancy trying a different one not to far way - also 8 yr old daughter is in Carroll class at school (as in Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland) and we thought we'd show her the old shop that appears in the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 It was brilliant. The stop over in Rochefort, Belgium was different! We stayed in L'hotel Le Vieux Logis and if you like something a bit different I can recommend it. It's 300 years old and feels like you're staying in a National Trust house. It's not perfect but it's spotlessly clean and the owner puts a lot of care into presentation. The breakfast tables were laid out with pretty & delicate crockery & place mats. Inevitably I spilt coffee on mine and she whipped it away and got soaking it straight away. She doesn't speak any English & I can just cope with basic French, so we had a few Michael Palin moments, and she does a fine impersonation of a chicken laying an egg if you want an egg. We were also the only guests and sometimes she'd have the hall lights off and the stairs were old and uneven but it was such a nice place to stay that it was ok. The Heidelberg hotel was at the top of a steep hill that flanks the river but we found a path that went round the castle onto a fairly steep cobbled street and although getting back to the top was hard work the scenes of the town made it worth it. Also the hotel room was big with huge windows that looked down into the valley. The advantage was that I could eat lots without guilt as it was getting burnt off. I bought lots, ate lots, drank lots and had a thoroughly good time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Lovely I like your Christmas avatar as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 SageandOnion - we are going to the Oxford market next Saturday as are taking the boys to Magpie Lane concert in St Micheal Northgate at 3.00pm and so will wander down thereafter. Happy to report back but it closes on Sunday so maybe not much point!? In spite of being only 25 mins from central Oxford we have never made it but may now turn it into an annual event. Its held in the courtyard of the castle/prison and thats fun to visit in its own right . Also the Covered Market is fantastic at any time of year 'tho Vegetarians won't enjoy the full on fur and feathers hanging up outside the butchers shops ! Hubs goes to Lubeck regularlly - he was there last Monday/Tuesday but didn't make it to the market Apparently its a wonderful city - maybe we'll make it there at some point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Hubs goes to Lubeck regularlly - he was there last Monday/Tuesday but didn't make it to the market Apparently its a wonderful city - maybe we'll make it there at some point! I must have been about 4 times. If you get the chance you should go Historically it is interesting and you can visit the Cathedral, several churches, the Town Hall and the Seaman's Mission which it now a lovely restaurant (I bet Hubby has been there) which most tourists go to. The markets are spread around the city which is quite compact and easy to cover walking. There is also a large craft fair in the "hospital". You should not miss going to the Neideregger (marzipan) shop and cafe. Their cakes are wonderful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 Thanks for that - OH always brings back loads of marzipan but I am keen to try the cakes as marzipan is my absolute fave!!!! OH flies EasyJet to Munich but apparently thats an hour taxi to Lubeck ; fine if business is paying but not so good with two smallish boys and direct flights seem to have been stopped still I guess we will go next year or year after but need to do a bit of research on dates of Xmas market but v interesting to hear from those who have been...thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 ooh, Heidelberg's lovely - we stayed there a year or so ago in the summer. It's lovely to walk along the riverbank in the summer (grassy on one side and you can hire little boats there) If you get this message while there, try eating at Hackteufel (restaurant/hotel near the bridge on the town side). There's a great littler microbrewery close to there too - Brauhaus Vetter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
