Stuttgart Christmas Market

On the way home from Garmisch we stopped for a nice break and lunch in Stuttgart. I'm not sure if these Christmas market blogs are getting old to yall but holy crap this baby was HUGE! I wouldn't say it was my favorite or better then any of the last but this place is an all day adventure!!

There are Gluwein huts and food stops on every corner. Large, multi option food spots! The Gluwein mugs are different all over the market. I quickly found my favorite, got my drink, and deemed the mug a keepsake within the first 5 minutes of being there. Food was difficult to figure out because all the descriptions were in German. I wanted to try items other people were eating but google translate didn't help much. I pointed to some items through the glass and Antonio pointed to what the stranger next to him had just ordered. All in all everything was delicious! Antonio had a banana Nutella crepe that hit he spot for desert. My chocolate covered banana stick didn't even compare. It was good, but standard. The fresh warm crepe was hands down the best! We had potato and brats also. The skinnier brats with a nice crisp skin and fresh brotchen really hit the spot! It originally is like a 18" brat that they fold into thirds to fit into your bread roll. It tastes heavenly to carnivores like me! Unfortunately some of the food items I wanted I couldn't figure out the name to order. 

I picked up some awesome gifts at this market, mainly for myself! Hah! I love all the small cut live tree carvings! We got a small moose for the house and an owl for my friend who babysat our pride and joy, our first and only born son, Yosh. I also found a hand painted ornament similar to ones I loved in Trier. I was really excited to see several of these stands that had the hand painted ornaments and candle holders. Especially because I opted not to buy one in Trier because the crowd pressure had me making rash decisions that I regretted when I got home. But I got one now!

Overall Stuttgart Christmas market is huge and crowded. It requires an all days effort to really enjoy every aspect. I'd say the earlier to start time the better for this one. It has merchant stands for days and the center of it has about 6-8 aisles and vendors on either side but it is not the entire thing! In the corners of this main are streets full of more stands some only one sided stands. Some streets turn back to stands on both sides. It is crazy how much is going on at this one. But it is awesome and a good big Christmas market experience. There was music all over the place; kids playing their flutes, a man singing opera with his violinist by his side playing, a man turning the box that plays music. It was something new every where we walked. 

Final note: Stuttgart was massive. Haha.

Bern Kastel Kues & Traben Trarbach

So the ladies from work and I decided to hit up two nearby Christmas markets on our Saturday adventures. Emily drove Shawna & I up the windy mountain and past some amazing views and we parked right along the Rhine river. First stop was Bern Kastel Kues' Weihnachts Markt!

Bern Kastel Kues Christmas Market

Nestled in the center of the cutest town ever is this Christmas market. The surrounding buildings are smashed together and some even appear old and crooked. You can't help but look up in awe when sipping Gluwein at a stand up cocktail table. There are old pulleys on the outside of all the windows which they use to transport large items up through windows instead of trying to get things up several flights of stairs. The entire heart of the city is just cute and homey feeling. 

The market has several different areas so it's one of those markets where you have to wander and be adventurous to find everything. Many of the stores were really cool too so I'd advise avoiding Sundays when stores are typically closed. One great store we stopped in had an amazing chocolate and truffle variety. Another stop was in a cute wine and schnapps shop. Everyone was really friendly and happy to help.

This Christmas market itself had a good variety of wood carving decorations, Christmas knick knacks for decorating, and other winter and Bernn Kastel Kues mementos. The market had a meat booth, a great cheese booth (including samples!), a few gluwein huts, and a small variety of food. They had churros, waffles, dampfnudel, Flamkuchen and a couple other typical german Christmas market foods. Overall a solid balance of food vs items to buy. The market was not crowded at all for a Saturday afternoon and was very enjoyable. They also had beautiful Gluwein mugs! The scenery with the Mosel river plus all the vineyards makes it a beautiful place to visit and great photos. I'd go back for sure!

Traben-Trarbach Christmas Market

So the "TT Christmas market" as we call it to make it easier to refer to, is an underground market. This market is only about half hour down the road from Bern Kastel Kues. It is very unique and cool. It's different then the rest because it is full of vendors inside the caves. It's hot down there so most visitors are drinking cold white wine, probably what the Mosel Region is known for, their Riesling. There was a bar inside with options and theres Gluwein outside of the caves in a couple different areas. Theres an ice skating rink at this market also. 

We enjoyed going in all of the different caves. One man gave us samples of a couple different meats he sells, we didn't buy any but I sure did enjoy them. There were almost too many vendors to enjoy in the first and largest underground market. You may need to shed a layer in here cuz it was a bit toasty! I think overall there was about 4 underground markets. They do not connect underground so it's in one and back outside to find the next. There were too many lovely items to buy, I'd recommend taking extra euro if you are looking for any special Christmas gifts of decorations. Overall this market was the most unique yet and I really enjoyed the scenery. 

We parked along the river again and walked across the bridge to get to the market. The lights on the bridge and the castle up on the hill provided beautiful views and photo opportunities. This was one of those markets that is just pleasant to be at and you enjoy just looking at everything!

We picked up some delicious chocolates down in the 3rd market as well as some sweet coated almonds and spicy nuts. There is a ton of options on both food and items to buy.

Wear your patience pants to TT because the heat and crowds down there can be a bit irritable.

The two markets were both special and different from each other & I'd highly recommend them both. I'd take family or visitors here because these markets are so unique and the sites are just beautiful. 

FCK Game (Football Club Kaiserslautern)

The FCK games are a loud and crazy event! If you've never been to a professional soccer match you need to add it to your list of things to do before you die! It is really an awesome and unique experience. 

Unfortunately for us our tickets we bought on base were in the NOT crazy/wild section. They only sell so many of each section and this "fun" section closest to season ticket holders was sold out. Our seats were across the stadium so we did get a unique perspective of the astronomically large flags, the scarves held up and signs people display which we wouldn't have seen if we were sitting behind or next to them. 

There are people beating drums, cheering and chanting constantly. Every time the home team Kaiserslautern (FCK) scored a goal the stadium would abrupt in load roars and they celebrate for a few minutes after. It was easy to join in on the chants or traditions of the team even if it's your first time or you're not a big soccer fan.

As far as the stadium goes, it's much nicer than I expected. Not sure what I was expecting since I had never been to a soccer stadium before. Regardless, it was a big beautiful stadium. It was mainly covered where the seats are and then open in the center of the dome shaped top. It was a chilly day but it was tolerable with only half the sky's air exposed or feeling like it could get in. 

They serve food all over the stadium and depending on where your seats are you may have to climb a large amount of stairs to get to and from the concessions. There is a card you must purchase before hand and load euro on to purchase any food or drinks. The card is really cool and sits in a tray where it can be reloaded or charged! No swiping or typing in a pin it's just a lay it down in the tray and grab it up after the cashier does his/her thang. I was super excited about paying for our beers and brat. I thought it was the newest coolest thing, I've never seen this anywhere. Anyway they had a spicy brat that was quite tasty. Not too spicy at all. A nice hint of spice kind of like a medium leveled hot link. They offered regular brats also, and other items like curry wurst, and fries. They had several different vendors when we first walked in so I believe they have different food concessions. There was also clothing vendors with FCK scarves, hats and souvenirs for sale. Inside the stadium no outside food or drinks, pretty common for stadiums. So after walking through the metal detectors and getting my bag searched I was asked to go back and throw out my opened bottle. No biggy. I got a new drink inside. Side note: Beer is cheaper than water in Germany. 

So just hanging out with some friends, enjoying a bite to eat and cheering it up for the hometown team is something I'd encourage everyone to try! They have games through several seasons so you can enjoy a game in the summer rather than the winter. The tickets we purchased included free round trip train transportation, I'm not sure if all tickets do but I'd assume so. Ticket price was about $25/pp. There is a train station right by the stadium. The walk after that would be just up the hill to get inside its a quick walk. I can't wait to go back in the summer time! 

Trier Weihnachts Markt

Trier! So much to say about this market! Where do I start?

Well... It's big... And it's beautiful!!

Parking by the Porta Nigra made life easy for us we walked a short distance and we were right in the action! The city center where they also hold their Farmers Market on Saturdays is the center of the market. There is lots more to offer around corners since there is multiple small market areas to make up all of Triers market.

Some really cool booths to mention were a chocolate booth selling small tools all made of only chocolate! Another was all hand made wooden ornaments and display pieces. Another had metal pieces like bolts all pieced together to make little figurines etc. and there was a gorgeous Christmas ornament/ball vendor. It was hand painted pieces of Christmas trees and snow etc. There was so many great things to look at or buy it was difficult to make decisions! 

This little reindeer in the front won my heart and I bought him! 😁

Trier also has a nice sized ice skating rink area down the block. It has a big gluwein tent conveniently located at the rink! This was where Emily and I found the best Gluwein yet! It was their specialty a white wine gluwein with vanilla and carmel flavors. It was sweet and warm and delicious!!

In the ice skating area were a couple other vendors typical german food and some sweets also. Since it was down the way it was quieter over here but the skating rink was pretty full.

We enjoyed some live music, accordians and other fun instruments were entertaining everyone! The food selection is massive and a bit intimidating if you don't know what you're in the mood for. Long lines at every popular place made you interested and looking over shoulders to see what they sold.

We settled for the potato pancakes. They looked delicious and they were! There's chives inside and the applesauce gives it a sweet finish to the bite! Funny I didn't notice when drinking out of it, but this photo shows we were given last years Gluwein mug Every year they do new mugs. Maybe the were running low yesterday? Too funny! 

Anyway overall Trier has lots of great unique Christmas items to purchase! Bring euro and your holiday spirit! The food selection was solid there were a ton of options. Everything from flamkuchen to pork sandwiches. One place sold bowls of mushrooms and others had brats and potatoes. Some things traditional others new to me. Deserts were unlimited, so many to choose from. Crepes, dampfnudel, cookies, waffles. There was a nice selection of  hot chocolate near by all the desserts, we got a cup with baileys! It was delicious!

I can't say enough good things about Trier! Plus I love the place as is. Add a Christmas market to it and it's like 10x better! 

Reminder: it is a busy and crowded place even in the early afternoon. Emily warned me that at night you can hardly walk through the crowd.

The real Christmas trees all over the market, the church bells chiming and you just feel in the core of a holiday world! I can't get enough of these markets! 

Trier is a must visit for anyone! It's only an hour from us. 

Next Christmas market trip is next weekend! Can't wait! We're planning on some special ones!! 

Burg Lichtenberg Medieval Market

My coworker Emily had been telling me about this medieval Christmas market that is only for one weekend near Kusel. I thought it sounded very unique and cool so I was all about it! Plans fell through with taking Antonio there Saturday night so her & I made plans to visit it early Sunday. This was a plus because the crowds were flocking in as we were headed out after a couple hours of enjoying the castle and its surroundings. 

So this medieval market is inside the Burg Lichtenberg castle essentially. All the boths and vendors and games and crafts are set up inside the entrance. Most of the market is outside but within the castle walls. It was very unique, as we walked up and a man with fur fox over his shoulder and a giant sword passed by me so I knew I was in for something special! 

This is the guy! & his madam! 😃

So walking through the castle was exciting for me right away because I had never been to one in Germany yet. There was an archery game for kids and animals too.

There was a Gluwein spot right at the entrance that had a nice prosecco gluwein. It was strong but warm and delicious with fresh apples on top!

Shortly after walking Im the main entrance is THE chimney cake stand! There was also live music right next to it so we scored double! The line was long but you can watch the guys bake the cakes and top them while waiting. So there is plenty of entertainment.

Chimney cake is a rolled dough that can be topped with a variety of flavors: cinnamon, sugar, coconut, nuts, etc. the cinnamon sugar one tastes like a warm churro! This place had the best chimney cakes! Cooked to perfection and good the next day still! I think it was 5€ and it's quite large. I had plenty to share with Emily and even more to take home to Antonio which he loved. He's been missing all the fun because this class he is in consumes him right now. 

They had unique booths and vendors here all dressed up in the theme also!

There were a ton of pets at this market even vendors dogs tied up in the booths hanging out. One guys dog had its own personal space heater! At about 1pm it wasn't too crowded so I would say it is pet friendly early on in the day and when it's light out. The more crowded it gets the more likely your pet will be trampled or not enjoy themselves as much.

Emily petting one of two dogs this Gluwein tent vendor had with them! They also had a nice fire pit wi seating inside and outside!

There wasn't. Ton of food options but what we did have was good. The wild brat and karotfellen were both tasty.

Overall this market is different from the rest and a real enjoyable place to visit with family or friends. It had unique items you wouldn't find at every other market. Emily found a nice sword for a family member. We saw some beautiful hand made wooden lanterns for indoor or outdoor decorations that were amazing! 

Again this place is a winner in my book. It's not far from home and it's special. Random note: Emily was there last year at night and said it is pitch black so take a flash light. Parking is a bit far, although free I'd bring dirty walking shoes because its dirty muddy gravel parking areas.

Next post we visit Trier Christmas market! Stay tuned!!