Christmas Markets: Salzburg/Linz

Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2011

The angelic voices of choirs singing carols on Cathedral Square... the pealing bells of old Salzburger Dom, overlooking neat rows of lit-up booths fragrant with the aroma of roasted almonds and hot mulled wine... ornate Baroque domes, towers and rooftops tipped with snow in the heart of Old Town... the clatter of horse-drawn carriages over cobblestoned streets... sweet candy apples and marzipan... the warm laughter of families having the time of their lives... and music everywhere, in the city that gave us Mozart. The Christmas Markets of Salzburg... a true feast for the senses that continues with lunch at the historic Stiftskeller St. Peter and a visit to Linz's Christkindlmarkt... the curving roofs of its stalls symbolizing the waves of the Danube.

Christmas Markets: Riquewhir

Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2011

Aside from the electricity that lights up its intimate Christmas Market every December, this Alsatian village hasn't changed much since its days as a Winzerdorf (wine village) in the 16th century. Fortified by glühwein, you'll stroll among stalls laden with crafts and local delicacies, set among historic half-timbered houses and shops dressed in yuletide finery... it's like a fairy tale come to life!

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Christmas Markets: Strasbourg

Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2011

Steaming mulled wine... gingerbread... Advent wreaths... a towering Christmas tree, dwarfed by soaring Strasbourg Cathedral... nearly every street and building a glow with lights and decorations... bredle, the tiny, traditional holiday cakes of Alsace... the unmistakable sights, sounds, flavors, and smells of the Alsatian holidays surround you at Strasbourg's Marchés de Noël, the oldest and largest in France. A dozen themes markets fan out from the cathedral along the Grand Rue- the original Christkindelsmärik... the Bredle Market... the Kingdom of the Wine Growers... the Children's Village... the Village of Sharing and others. Artisans show off their wares in stalls that stretch on as far as the eye can see... and the ancient heart of this canal-crossed city is bathed in gold! A lecture on local storytelling traditions and a guided walk through La Petite France round out your unforgettable day in Strasbourg.

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Christmas Markets: Colmar

Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2011

A little piece of holiday heaven... that's Colmar at Christmastime! Le Marché de Noël's five main venues spread merriment throughout this beautifully preserved medieval city on the Alsatian Wine Route, its 14th- and 15th century façades draped in greenery and twinkling lights. Tiny faces beam with delight amid the toys, gingerbread, merry-go-round and animated Nativity scene of the Children's Market in Petite Venise. Crépes, sausages, baguettes, chocolates, and other local favorites- and of course Alsatian wine- make the mouth water at Place Jeanne d'Arc. Master glaziers, sculptors, jewelers and other artisans display their work in the Covered Market in the historic Koïfhus (customs house)... and you'll find everything from candles to roast chestnuts at Place de l'Ancienne Douane and Place des Dominicains, warmed by the stained glass windows of the Gothic Dominican church.

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Christmas Markets: Baden-Baden

Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2011

The Black Forest's special magic casts its spell over the Christmas Market of this famous spa town, set adjacent to its sumptuous Belle Èpoque casino complex- the Kurhaus- which screen icon Marlene Dietrich called "the most beautiful casino in the world." Cheered by the strains of local choirs and bands performing holiday music- or perhaps by the baaaas of bleating sheep from the market's "living Nativity"- you can check out booth upon booth of carved wooden toys and ornaments, silver jewelry, decorative candles and goodies galore. Join us for a guided visit inside the 250-year-old Kurhaus, and explore more of Baden-Baden's holiday charms as you wish.

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