Saturday November 28, 2009
On Sunday, November 29, Germany celebrates the first of Advent, a beloved Christmas tradition in Germany.
Advent are the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas, and to mark this passage of time, many Germans light a new candle on their Advent wreath every Advent Sunday.
Many families celebrate the Advent Sundays with singing Christmas carols, drinking hot spiced wine, and eating Christmas cookies or a piece of Stollen, a traditional German Christmas cake.
The Advent wreath was "invented" by Johann Hinrich Wichern, a German pastor, who founded an orphanage in Hamburg in 1833. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, the children would ask him daily if Christmas had arrived. To make the wait easier, Wichern came up with his magical Christmas countdown, creating his first Advent wreath out of an old cartwheel and small candles.
Celebrating the Season in Germany
(Photo by Birge Amondson)
Friday November 27, 2009
Today, November 27th, one of Germany's most famous Christmas markets opens: the Nuremberg Christmas Market, which dates back to the 16th century.
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is among the most traditional Christmas fairs in Germany: Not only does it take place in the romantic Old Town of the city, but the organizers of the market keep a watchful eye on the tasteful decoration of the wooden huts.
Each of the 180 booths is festooned with red and white cloth, lights and fresh evergreen; plastic fir garlands, taped Christmas music, and kitschy decorations are not allowed, and the locals fondly call their Christmas market "our little town of wood and cloth".
The highlight of the Nuremberg Christmas Market is its opening celebration, when the Christmas Angel, played by a local girl, reads out a prologue from the balcony of the Nuremberg Cathedral. Join thousands of locals for this magic moment on November 27th, at 5:30 pm.
(Photo: Ulli Kowatsch/Congress-Tourismuszentrale Nuremberg)
Thursday November 26, 2009
Every week, I will be posting budget travel tips for your Germany vacation in my blog, so you can find out how to make your Dollar go further - without taking the fun out of your travels.
This week, find out how to make the most out of Munich without paying too much for it: Take part in a free, English-speaking walking Tour and get a great introduction to the Bavarian capital; this walking tour includes all famous sights in Munich's Old Town, and the guides are known for their entertaining and interesting tours. The only thing you have to pay here - attention and if you like a tip (the guides operate on tips).
More Munich Budget Travel Tips
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Check out Last Week's Budget Travel Tip: Berlin For Free
(Photo: GTNB/Andrew Cowin)
Tuesday November 24, 2009
Berlin is home to 60 different Christmas markets, but for the connoisseur, the Historic Christmas Market at Gendarmenmarkt is not to be missed. It opens on Monday, November 23, 2009.
Framed by the illuminated French and German Cathedral, you can wander the many booths or visit the heated craftsmen tent where you can watch toy makers, goldsmiths, and wood carvers at work. There is also a stage where musicians, dancers, and jugglers keep you and and the kids entertained.
Many German Christmas markets close on Christmas Eve, but you can visit Berlin's Historic Christmas Market until December 31st and even celebrate New Year's Eve here with a festive gala, fireworks, and a waltz dance on the historic market square after midnight.
(Photo: jule_berlin)
