![]() 1.5" PLASTIC CHAIN YOU CHOOSE COLOR & YOUR CHOICE OF 10ft, 25ft, 50ft OR 100ft US $9.99
|
Are you considering a Christmas cruise, Christmas getaway or shopping trip this year? Looking for a fun way to get into the Christmas Spirit? German Christmas Markets are a slam-dunk. There's no better place to experience this wonderful season than Germany. And there's no better way to do it than with a Christmas tour that spotlights traditional Christmas markets.
Germany for all intents and purposes invented Christmas. The Germans gave us the Christmas tree, the handcrafted wooden smoker, Christmas chimes, Christmas music and traditional blown glass Christmas ornaments.
However, the Christmas market was one of the Germans' best inventions. Despite this, even after hundreds of years, Christmas markets are still barely known outside Europe. These wonderful markets dot the country from north to south from late November through the end of December. But with such a huge number to choose from, how do you pick the best?
Here are some key tips for finding the best German Christmas markets and best Christmas tours:
Go for Old and Traditional
Make sure your itinerary includes at least a few markets (also called Christkindlmarkt) that have a long local tradition. The Christmas market in Dresden and the market in Nurnberg are two of the oldest, going back to the 14th century. These are among the best European Christmas markets, and any Christmas tour should include at least one of them. Others include Regensburg and Leipzig. Visit us online for more background on the wonderful history of these markets.
Visit the Nooks-and-Crannies for the Best Shopping.
Tourists tend to flock to well-known magnets like Heidelberg, Munich, Neuschwanstein and the sometimes-over-travelled Romantic Road. However, Christmas markets in Franconia, Thuringia and Saxony offer a great alternative. Try markets in towns such as as Bamberg, Lauscha, Quedlinburg, Kulmbach, Schneeberg and the Erzgebirge region. Many of these places are in areas where toys, folk art and Christmas decorations are actually made. The shopping is good. You're buying local products, and the selection is often better.
Opt for a Tour Instead of Traveling Alone.
It's possible to visit Christmas markets on your own, of course. But even if you're not normally the tour type, consider a Christmas tour package. You'll enjoy the comfort, you'll experience more and you won't have to deal with hassles like weather, driving on the autobahn, or trying to reach remote towns and villages on the train or bus.
Select a Christmas Tour Package that Offers Variety and Lots of Extras.
You won't want to do exactly the same thing every day, and you will want to visit more than just one or two large cities. So be sure to pick a guided Christmas tour that offers great shopping, local traditions and a variety of activities. Don't miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that any good Christmas tour includes such as a chance to meet artisans, see special exhibits, enjoy gourmet food of the season or hear local Christmas choral concerts.
Smaller really is better.
A German Christmas market is something you have to experience with all your senses. Avoid signing up for a large tour group if you are worried about being rushed from venue to venue and if you want to be sure to see the nooks and crannies. Small-group travel is often more flexible and rewarding. If you want to visit distinctive villages and other stops that large groups overlook and if you would like to have a guide who stays with you for the entire trip, a small tour group is usually the best choice.
There's no better place to celebrate all things Christmas than right in the heart of Europe. And if you're considering a Christmas market tour, Germany is the top choice. Pick the right Christmas package tour for your needs and interests. Keep it small. And make sure your itinerary includes less-visited spots like the ones mentioned here. That way you're bound to have an unforgettable travel experience and you'll come home with Christmas Spirit to spare.
Tom Conrad owns and operates Heart of Europe Tours, LLC, and will lead this year's Enchanted Christmas Markets tour to Germany from December 1-9, 2010.
Resources
Find out about our December 1-9 2010 Enchanted Christmas Markets Tour at Heart of Europe Tours, LLC, http://www.heartofeuropetours.com. The trip is fully guided and we will be visiting many of the places mentioned here. You can reach us by email at the site. Background and historical information are available here.
Lauscha is one of the remote destinations that should be on any German Christmas market tour. Located in the former East Germany, it is somewhat difficult to reach by car and train, but it is included in the Heart of Europe tours itinerary.
The Saxon Folk Art Museum, in Dresden, is a small regional museum featured on our tour that includes a remarkable collection of folk art crèches, Christmas scenes, antique toys, dolls and miniatures.
Heart of Europe Tours has been featured in USA Today, Country Living magazine, Australian House and Garden and other media. Visit us online at http://www.heartofeuropetours.com to see the articles.
Tom Conrad owns and operates Heart of Europe Tours, LLC, and will lead this year's Enchanted Christmas Markets tour to Germany from December 1-9, 2010.
Whats On My YouTube Today?
Bird Is The Word/Pet Toy Orchestra ft. smileyguy24
Here Are A Few Items From Amazon You Might Be Interested In.
| Account limit of 2212 requests per hour exceeded. |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!














































































