European Christmas 2023 /2024

The morning (Wednesday) was probably a bit uninteresting but the second half of the afternoon was amazing. We left Weimar for a two hour trip to Leipzig. Now we were in East Germany and a strong contrast to where we had been. Leipzig was a huge city of over 1 million people. The town city was less interesting and lacking the character we had previously seen. We wandered the back streets before investigating the market which was definitely not as good as the others. After a large piece of pizza bread each we were back on the bus heading for Dresden. As we got closer the bus veered off through the narrow streets of a residential area. The hotel was beautiful and after half an hour we were back on the bus, as we were actually 10 kms out of the city.
Our tour leader walked us to the main markets as there are several spread around. Dresden is an amazing city, characterised by huge dark stoned buildings, many which have actually been rebuilt since the war. And the main Christmas market was the oldest in Germany. While the products on sale were similar to what we’d seen, the stalls themselves were works of art with many having lit up rooftops that were the feature. With our accommodation being outside the city, and no meal provided tonight, we had extra time in town to find dinner. We had a beautiful Italian meal at a very cool restaurant- lasagne and tiramisu. We then made our way back to meet the bus at 7 30.
Unfortunately the photos do not do justice to the markets as the atmosphere is really also created by the smells, lights, sounds, people and the surrounds. I’ll try to describe the German Christmas markets as they are nothing like NZ markets. Each market is usually set up in an old part of town and the lights and Christmas trees and nativity scenes are a feature, particularly as it starts to get dark at 3 pm! The common features of the markets are the little stalls each manned by very helpful and friendly shop keepers who are not at all pushy. The markets usually have a number of rides for children to go on and some of the ferris wheels and merry- go-rounds have been spectacular and obviously very old. The stalls primarily sell Christmas decorations, wooden ornaments, toys, candles, hats, scarves and gloves. But every market has its own specialties or points of difference. Added to that all markets have many fantastic food stalls, again often specialising in local delicacies such as salami, sausages,( bratwurst) chocolate (meister-klasse) , gingerbread, breads, nuts, popcorn and all have mulled wine. ( gluhwein) The wine is served in souvenir china cups and a refund given if the cup is returned instead of being kept as a momento. The stalls are remarkably clean with no plastic wrapping allowed, and while you do need to pay to use the toilets, they too are kept to a high standard. All the stalls we have visited have been very safe - tourists and families everywhere soaking up the wonderful atmosphere.
Our second day in Dresden started with a trip to a beautiful part of the region called Meissen. The drive out following the River Elbe passed many historical places including three castles and some vineyards. We stoped for a look at a tiny Christmas market and the atmosphere was so special even though it was drizzling. We ate the most delicious treat yet- a sugary doughnut cooked over a fire- “chimney cake”. We then headed on to the Meissen porcelain factory. It was truly beautiful and the china exquisite. Much and all as we would like to have bought a souvenir they were so expensive so photos will have to do! Our afternoon was a trip to a stollen bakery. The history attached to the bread is so interesting, including the laws that apply to it, and our coffee and sample of the stollen was lovely. Tonight we ate at a German restaurant in Dresden and enjoyed our time away from the tour. It has rained off and on all day but not enough to get really wet or cold. It was however dark at 3 pm. Off to Berlin tomorrow.Les mer