November, 2005 - Nr. 11
Germany - "Welcome to Christmas Wonderland"
The GNTO Presents a New Christmas Brochure
Toronto -- Christmas is a special time in Germany, highlighted by charming Christmas markets everywhere and special holiday preparations. The smell of gingerbread and Stollen baked in kitchens across the country wafts through the air along with the scent of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine served at the markets. This year, the German National Tourist Office presents a new Christmas brochure, called "Welcome to Christmas Wonderland", in 36 colourful and informative pages, complete with special travel offers, recipes and lists of events taking place in and around the Christmas markets. The brochure covers Christmas markets in the north, south, east and west of Germany and highlights the nature and themes of various markets, opening and closing times, dates and Web sites.
Located in town and city centres, the approximately 2,500 Christmas markets twinkle with lights and good cheer, while Christmas stories are told and re-enacted and choirs sing in churches and on city hall steps at the markets. Brightly painted nutcrackers, multi-tiered, candle-driven Christmas carrousels, tiny hand-carved angels and incense-burning figurines from Germany’s Ore Mountains are only a few of marvellous gifts you can find.
The popularity of the Christmas markets has grown steadily over recent decades, with the overall annual sales of $7 billion coming mostly from the sale of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, candied applies and grilled sausages. Christmas shopping accounts for the rest: handmade, one-of-kind wooden toys, beeswax and other hand-dipped candles and, of course, Christmas decorations in all shapes and sizes. The major cities often have five or six different markets - Berlin alone has 45! Nuremberg, Dresden, Rothenberg-ob-der-Tauber have some of the most well known Christmas markets in Germany.
For some of the equally enchanting markets off the beaten path, see the following possibilities:
Medieval Magdeburg
18 Nov-18 Dec 2005, Mon-Sat: 10 am-6 pm; Sun: 1 pm-6 pm
In 2005, the city of Magdeburg celebrates her 1200-year jubilee. Experience the get-together of the Middle Ages and the 21st century. The Christmas market on Alter Markt, the medieval town square, has over 120 stalls where you can spend many happy hours browsing. Children will enjoy
this lovely Christmas market, with kids’ programmes in the fairytale forest every day and charming story dramatizations staged on the weekends.
http://www.magdeburg-tourist.de/Ice Sculptures and Crafts in Lübeck
21 Nov-23 Dec 2005, Daily: 11 am-8 pm
Hanseatic Lübeck’s Christmas markets are set against the historical town hall and Koberg square, with fairy lights and Christmas trees adorning the streets and the old quarter. Set up next to St. Mary’s Church is an enchanted Christmas forest. Special tips for Lübeck are the crafts market in the vaults of the historic Holy Spirit Hospital and the ice sculpture festival at the Hanseatic Holsten Gate (9 Dec 2005 - 29 Jan 2006.)
www.luebeck-tourismus.deChristmas Markets by Torchlight in Esslingen
24 Nov-22 Dec 2005, Daily: 11 am-8.30 pm
The small city of Esslingen, on the river Neckar, presents a unique Christmas market which makes travel back in time. Passing by traders in historical costumes, who offer wares as they would have done hundreds of years ago, it feels like stepping back into a medieval winter fairytale. On every corner, you bump into fire-eaters, musicians, mimes and jugglers. Torches line the paths, throwing their light onto the magnificent Renaissance town hall and the town’s fine half-timbered buildings.
www.mittelalterliches-esslingen.deHamburg’s Christmas Markets
21 Nov-23 Dec 2005, Daily: 11 am - 9 pm
Hamburg’s Christmas markets fill several squares in the city’s centre and have different themes: historical, Hanseatic and traditional. For true spectacles, see the artists of Germany’s foremost circus, Roncallli, serve hot punch on the town hall square and enjoy home-made Christmas cookies, jugglers and the five festively-lit fantasy boats traditionally anchored along Jungfernstieg, Hamburg’s legendary cruise ship quay.
www.hamburg-tourism.deSpecial Travel packages:
Hamburg Packages - ‘Short and Sweet’
At only € 63 (approx. $89) per person, double occupancy, one offer includes one night in a centrally located hotel, breakfast and a Hamburg CARD, getting you into all museums and onto a sightseeing tour in a red double-decker bus. Tours include the Reeperbahn, the city’s famous red-light district, the scenic outer Alster lake and the Elbchaussee avenue, with its beautiful villas, as well as Hamburg’s city centre, with the landmark church called Michel by the locals. Another similar Hamburg package offers three nights for the price of two for € 65.50 (approx. $93) per person, per night, double occupancy.
www.hamburg-tourism.de.Relax in Baden-Baden during Christmas
In Baden-Baden’s legendary spa town ambience, enjoy a five-night Christmas package at the Steigenberger Europäischer Hof. Starting at € 840 (approx. $1,190) per person, double occupancy, the package includes half board, with beverages at the Christmas Eve dinner, at the festive dinner on Christmas day and at the gala dinner buffet on December 26, as well as free entrance to the Wellness Centre "Europe SPA". Arrival is between December 22 and 24.
www.europaeischer-hof.steigenberger.de.For general information on Germany, 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.
