September 27, 2018

The 6 Earliest Christmas Markets to Open in 2018

September 27, 2018/ Meghan Oaks

A few months ago, Aaron and I got a killer deal on tickets to Germany over Thanksgiving week thanks to emails that we get from Scott’s Cheap Flights. We fly out the day before Thanksgiving and will be in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria for about a week - I’m so excited!!! I’m MOST excited to visit a few Christmas markets while we are there! Sadly, we will be flying back to Texas before most of the markets open. But I have been able to find some that will be open while we are there and they are most definitely on our itinerary! I’ve compiled a list of 6 of the earliest opening markets for the 2018 season in case you, like us, booked a trip that ends before Christmas market season really gets into full swing, but still want to visit a few.

December 23, 2015

Christmas Market Round Up

December 23, 2015/ Meghan Oaks

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and most of the Christmas markets are either already closed or will be today or tomorrow. Some will stay open through the new year, but only a very small portion. Last year, Aaron and I spent our weekends in December hitting up some of the bigger, more famous Christmas markets in Germany - Munich, Cologne, and Heidelberg. This year, we switched tactics and tried to visit smaller, more local markets. It was nice to see the big ones last year, but I really think I like the smaller ones better. For one, there are fewer people in general (though not always), and they are usually much less overwhelming than the giant ones found in the bigger cities. But my favorite part, I got to see some new places that I probably would not have visited before, and a couple have been added to our, ''We need to come back here'' list.

December 15, 2015

Foods to Try at German Christmas Markets

December 15, 2015/ Meghan Oaks

Half the fun of visiting the Christmas markets in Germany is trying the food. There are, of course, lots of traditional things to try that are found throughout Germany, but many markets also have local favorites that you can buy as well. Aaron and I each have a couple of favorites, and sometimes, when I don't feel like cooking dinner, will just run down to the market and get stuff there to eat. Now, it's not necessarily healthy, but it sure is tasty! If you're planning a trip to Germany this December and are planning on visiting the Christmas markets, here are some foods that you should definitely try. Depending on the market, you may find all of them, or just a few. In any case, I'm sure that you will find something warm and tasty to eat. Guten Appetit!

November 27, 2015

10 Tips for Attending German Christmas Markets

November 27, 2015/ Meghan Oaks

Christmas market season has officially started in Germany! The market in Mannheim opened on Wednesday, and many of them open tonight, and will stay open until Christmas. The main market in Mannheim is just down the street from our apartment. I can literally see the lights, hear the music, and smell the food from our apartment door. It's a massive effort in self control to not head down there for dinner, a waffle, or a Glühwein (or, in my case, the non-alcoholic, slightly less satisfying, version) every single night. In case you are planning a trip to a local market, or taking a vacation to Germany to explore them, we wanted to share some tips with you that we have picked up.

November 11, 2015

10 Christmas Markets to Visit in Germany This Year

November 11, 2015/ Meghan Oaks

Christmas market season in Germany is upon us. It's one of my favorite German traditions and one that I am so so glad I get to experience for a second time. I love the smells of the German street food, the warmth of the Glühwein as it seeps through the small ceramic mug it's served in, warming you from the inside out, the sounds of people shopping at the stalls for ornaments, gifts, or smoking men, and the refreshing, crisp, winter air, even better if it's dotted with snow! Last year, I made a list of markets I wanted to visit, and fell woefully short of seeing them all. This year, being older and wiser, I have made a revised list of Christmas markets that I would like to visit.

December 23, 2014

A Weekend in Cologne

December 23, 2014/ Meghan Oaks

This past weekend, we took a quick overnight jaunt up to Cologne. Five years ago, on our Beer and Cathedral Tour of Germany, it was our first stop. When we found out we were moving to Germany, it was pretty clear to both of us that we would have to visit Cologne again. And what better time to do it than during Christmas time with the Weihnachtsmarkt!? As an added bonus, we got to meet up with a fellow AST, her husband and kids!

We decided to take the train this time instead of driving. Aaron did some savvy computering with a coworker

December 19, 2014

Munich Weihnachtsmarkt and Hofbrauhaus

December 19, 2014/ Meghan Oaks

After we were done at the Deutsches Museum, we decided to head over to the Munich Weihnachtsmarkt in Marienplatz. Being Saturday, in Munich, two weeks before Christmas, it was packed. Like, almost shoulder to shoulder packed. But, we were there and, gosh darnit, we (ok, I, Aaron wasn't all that interested), was going to experience the Munich Weihnachtsmarkt. So, that's exactly what we did.

But, before we headed to the market, there was, surprise!, another church we wanted to visit.