November, 2004 - Nr. 11
Germany’s Christmas Markets At A Glance In New GNTO Brochure
Markets Count up to 160 Million Visitors Each Year and Sales of 4.85-billion Euro
Toronto - As the days get shorter, Germany’s cities and towns keep darkness at bay with millions of lights illuminating the country’s many Christmas markets. All told, some 2500 of them brighten old town centres until Christmas and the winter solstice, when daylight hours start getting longer again.
The German National Tourist Office has just released the latest edition of its guide to more than 100 Christmas markets, generally those easy to reach for foreign visitors. Available free of charge, the guide includes listings for Germany’s oldest Christmas market (Dresden, since 1434), the most popular one (Nuremberg, with two million visitors per year) and the most picturesque of Berlin’s 45 Christmas markets (on Gendarmenmarkt square.) The 32-page, full-colour brochure divides the market listings into four regions, Germany’s North, East, West and South, and provides capsule descriptions of each, indicating opening days and hours, individual specialties and highlights. Each listing also locates its town on a map of Germany at the back of the guide.
Popularity of the Christmas markets has grown steadily over recent decades, with overall annual attendance figures now nearing 160 million and generating sales worth approximately 4.85-billion euros (approx. $7.7 billion), much of that coming from sales of mulled wine, roast chestnuts, candied apples and grilled sausages. Christmas shopping accounts for the rest, the decorated booths displaying thousands of treasures, many handmade, one-of-a-kind wooden toys, beeswax and other hand-dipped candles and, of course, Christmas decorations in all shapes and sizes. Brightly painted nutcrackers, multi-tiered, candle-driven Christmas carrousels, tiny hand-carved angels and incense-burning figurines from Germany’s Ore Mountains vie for every passerby’s attention.
Canadian tour operators offer a variety of ways to visit Germany’s Christmas markets. Blue Danube Holidays, for example, has two river cruises in its programme, "Christmas on the Danube" and "Magic at Advent", both starting at 764 euros (approx. $1,190) per person, double occupancy, including all meals and local taxes, cruise only. The operator also lists several escorted motor coach tours, starting at 779 euros (approx. $1,215) per person, double occupancy, land arrangement only. There is, for example, a seven-day/six-night deluxe tour visiting some of the most romantic Christmas markets, including those in Heidelberg, Lindau (on Lake Constance), Munich, Rothenburg and Nuremberg. (For departure dates and more information, please check www.bluedanubeholidays.com.)
For more information on Germanys Christmas markets and general information on Germany’s sights and attractions, please contact the German National Tourist Office’s toll-free number, 1-877-315-6237, send an e-mail to gntonyc@d-z-t.com, or visit GNTO’s Web site www.cometogermany.com.
