Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Trier Weihnachtsmarkt 2011

We visited the Trier Christmas Market last Saturday, on a chilly but clear afternoon. It seemed that everyone else in far-western Germany had the same idea. Here are The Husband's photographic impressions of the market--taken when he could stop long enough not to fear being immediately crushed or elbowed in the spleen.








I realize that these photos don't really give you a clear idea of the sheer volume of people crammed into the Trier Marktplatz. But trust me, they were there--especially around the glühwein huts. Move along, people--move along! 

Ah, but it's all so beautiful. Christmas markets are absolutely one of the best things about living in Germany.

9 comments:

elisa said...

now i really want some glühwein. german markets are so delightful. xx

Unknown said...

I totally agree with you about the Christmas markets being one of the best things about living in Germany! We are missing them SO much! Have a gluhwein for me, mit ein schuss brandy, bitte!

Sunday Taylor said...

I have heard about the Christmas markets in Germany and this one looks wonderful. It must have been fun to be surrounded by so much Christmas cheer and so many items to buy for the holidays. Have a great week!

Betsy said...

How beautiful! What a magical experience that must have been.

Di said...

Edinburgh - lots to see. I would to be honest skip the castle - it is really expensive and you don't get to see much. Stirling Castle is so much better - about a 40 minute train ride from Edinburgh - if you want to see a castle. They've just renovated the Kings Chambers as they would have been in medieval times, with people dressed up and playing key characters, there is so much more to see there. In Edinburgh - my favourite shopping street is Victoria Street, runs from the Bridges down to the Grassmarket - Red Door Gallery is a great little shop filled with contemporary Scottish crafts, there is a knitting shop, a pie shop etc. The National Museum of Scotland reopened after a £45M renovation in the summer and is great for kids - free too - so you can just pop in for a while - it's on Chamber Street. The National Portrait Gallery also just reopened after refurbishment - it's on Queen Street. For eating try to go to Valvona and Crolla - an Edinburgh institution - Italian cafe and delicatessen (opened by 2 friends who walked/hitched from Italy in the early 20th century) - it's on Leith Walk, just below the Theatre Royal - it doesn't look like much from the outside - a grey facade and a window full of alcohol miniatures but a great shop with a cafe at the back. They also have a cafe just near Harvey Nichols department store. A friend says the chocolate lounge in Harvey Nichols is good - you can get a chocolate fondue for 4. There is a german bakery which also sells great hot chocolate (Falko Kondormeister) in Bruntsfield - a really nice area south of the city centre (easy by bus) with cute shops and nice cafes - Montpeliers is good there. Lots of good Thai places in Edinburgh too. Broughton Street is nice to wander down too. The German Market is on in Princes Street Gardens along with lots of fun things for kids to do - there's even a large ferris wheel and a helter skelter. Mary Kings Close is great - under the Royal Mile is another town that was covered over when the new Royal Mile was built and you can take a guided tour. Ghost walks on the Royal Mile might also be fun. Just walking down the Royal Mile is good - there is the Camera Obscura near the top, the Museum of Childhood, Mary King's Close. Nice local areas to wander and nice restaurants include Stockbridge and Bruntsfield (away from the city centre and most tourists). Monster Mash (near the National Museum of Scotland) is great with kids if you like sausage and mashed potatoes. Most pubs will serve food and let kids in during the day. St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile is worth sticking your head into (free). George Street is the posh shopping street. Good bookshops too! It's nice to walk down the Water of Leith - through the Dean Village - an urban waterway. The Botanic Gardens are nice and the Victorian Glass Houses are amazing. Hmm...so many restaurants I wouldn't really know where to start. I hope you have a fabulous time.

Di said...

Oh - if you want a day trip out of Edinburgh - Stirling Castle is fab - you can take the train.

Rabbie's Tours do 1 day trips in a minibus. I would suggest St Andrews and the Fishing Villages of Fife - it's about £40 for adults - they also do longer day trips if you wanted to go to Stirling castle and Loch Lomond National Park or to the Highlands - it might be worth a day trip out of Edinburgh if you have 5 days.

http://www.rabbies.com/edinburgh_tour_departures.asp

zakkalife said...

It looks gorgeous!

Sewmancer said...

Sorry it was so busy - but your photos look magical :)

Carrie said...

Great photos! Trier is another city on my list of places to see. ;) We made it to three markets this year...they're so much fun! Christmastime will definitely be one of the things I miss most when we leave Germany.

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