Monday, December 6, 2010

Nürnberg Christkindlmarkt

Day 5 of the advent calendar meant a short trip to Nürnberg to check out one of the most famous Christmas Markets.

There were plenty of bratwürsts, lebkuchen, and glühweins consumed. The variety of glühwein was immense and included blueberry, elderberry, and white wine. The consensus was elderberry was the best, because it wasn't so sweet.

We brought back some of the 'bruch' (broken) lebkuchen, which actually aren't broken at all, but the package presentation isn't as nice as those that are giftable. We also picked up some white glühwein that was named after Albrecht Dürer - the famed printmaker and painter from Nürnberg.

I love the markets, however there are a few things I would improve upon - adding a soup stand for a food option and those outdoor restaurant heaters or fire pits. Spending a few hours outside in the snow means even with several layers the elements begin to really take their toll. We were all frozen to the bone as we ventured back to the train station.

The Christmas season always passes too quickly, but I'm looking forward to visiting more christmas markets before we have to miss them for another year. I'll post photos soon!

5 comments:

Andi said...

It's been really cold this year! I think your improvements would be awesome. I'm glad you made it over. I love the Christmas Market here in Nurnberg!

Thimotheus said...

Cool post. The cultural content is perfekt to fuel post at Eurokulture. We love Christmas too! BTW you are on our blogroll and thats how i found you.

Emily said...

Andi...
Your markets are great! Hopefully next time when it's a bit warmer we'll be able to meet up - it's such a short trip away!

Thimotheus...
There's certainly a lot to take in here. I'm going to have to catch up on your blog and the blogroll of other European hot spots. Thanks for including me!

clo*bee said...

I found your blog before my trip last year to Oktoberfest through a friend (http://www.colleenandnick.com/), who I think is a friend of a friend or something like that. In any case, I followed your recommendations last year and have been reading your blog since, for all of your lovely photos, illustrations, and travel descriptions. I just got back from a trip to Nurnberg & Munchen to see the Christmas markets as well, and had to say that my boyfriend and I had the SAME THOUGHT about a soup stand. The cute little gluhbar was a great idea, and I think soup is the next big thing. Please let me know if you need a business partner! Thanks again for such a lovely blog.

Emily said...

Clo*bee...
Thanks for reading! I hope my recommendations were somewhat helpful. There's certainly a niche for soups in the Christmas Markets. I recently read in a magazine (I think the German edition of the Economist?) that those Christmas Market glühwein stands make upwards of 50,000€ a month - crazy.