Europe is well knowns for their Christmas Markets. Diana, Rich and I went in 2015 to Brussels, Berlin, and Prague (https://patanrichsexcellentadventure.blogspot.com/2015/12/pat-rich-and-dianas-excellent-christmas.html). It was so fantastically beautiful, we just HAD to go back! So this year the 3 of us, along with the incredible Lindsay, went to Copenhagen, Munich, and Vienna! Since it was Lindsay's first trip to Europe, we experienced her thrills at every turn! Combined with the beauty of these cities, this was a truly magical trip!!!
As with our 2015 trip, we booked through Tripmasters.com. I have found them to be a very reliable and very affordable alternative to planning trips separately. I did not price it separately, so can't give that comparison, but as the price included international travel to and from Europe, a flight between Copenhagen and Munich, a train between Munich and Vienna, 3 nights each in Copenhagen and Vienna and 4 nights in Munich, and full insurance, the price was excellent, in my opinion.
Added to the awesomeness of this trip, we met up with friends!! In Copenhagen, we met up with Uli and Janet, spending the day together at Tivoli. I met them the morning I started the Camino in St. Jean Pied de Pont in 2013. They are just incredible people and I felt honored they took time out to meet up with us! In Munich, Mary and Bernard joined us from Liverpool. We met this incredible couple in Venice in 2017 at a bar while we were all waiting for a table at a restaurant. They came to CA in 2018, staying with Diana who showed them a great time in the Bay area, and Diana and Al stayed with them in October 2019 ,cementing our friendship. My Caminoamigo Stefan came for a day from Zurich where we met his girlfriend Elise. I always love seeing Stefan- he is just an awesome person that I have such a great time with his sense of humor! Meeting Elise was a pleasure!
The Christmas Markets in these 3 cities were just amazing! Each city was very distinct in their markets: Copenhagen had many small, intimate Markets spread around the city; Munich had very crowded, grand Markets; and Vienna- she topped them all!!! The Austrian Markets were just fantastic in every aspect- from the lights to the packed stalls, to the very affordable gluwein (with rum, of course🤣🤣🤣). Oh, and it was COLD!!! These 4 Californian's packed on the clothes to keep warm!!!
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is so very picturesque!!! Everything about Copenhagen is cute- just like the travel brochures describe it!! There are several markets along the pedestrian zone of Stroget from the town center to Nyhavn, and Tivoli is one giant market! The Markets are smaller than the other cities, so they are easily managed. We "found" gluwein stalls where we bonded with the servers who recognized us over several days, spoke with many of the vendors, and tried some foods we do not find in the US (nothing weird, though🤣) One of the stalls is run by Anders, a Dane who lived in New Orleans. He had a food truck that served cajun/Danish fusion soups, corn dogs and pecan/rum pie- delicious!!!! And gnomes- lots and lots of different gnomes!!!
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| Each street had hanging lights! |
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| gnomes everywhere! |
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| One of the Christmas Markets along the pedestrian mall |
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| The CUTEST square!! |
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| Rich and I at Nyhavn |
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| The 4 of us at Nyhavn! |
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| ableskivers!!- a delicious pastry covered in powdered sugar and raspberry jam! |
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| The Ukrainian buskers dressed in a polar bear costume and danced! |
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| sausages!!! |
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| one of the many decorations- Santa and his reindeer |
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| Nyhavn at night! |
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| One of the stalls was a metal worker- with a common name🤣🤣 |
Janet and Uli at Tivoli Gardens
As I previously said, Janet and Uli met us for the day in Copenhagen- they live in the north of Denmark- and we had the best time with them!!! Tivoli is like a central park with an amusement park, shops, restaurants, and is just beautiful!!!!
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| The 6 of us inside Tivoli |
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| dinner! |
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| A traditional Danish Christmas meal: pork loin, complete with crispy rind, red cabbage, potatoes, and delicious gravy!!! |
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| The main entrance to Tivoli |
We also took a canal tour and of course went to the royal palace, watched the changing of the guard, and saw the little mermaid!
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| Cookies! |
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| Canal tour (can you tell it was cold?!!) |
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| Rich and the palace guards |
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| On the way to the Little Mermaid! |
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| The royal palace |
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| And we say goodbye to Copenhagen😢 |
Munich!!!
Munich is a beautiful city!!! Everything about Munich is incredible- the Markets were huge (and crowded), the buildings are historic and beautiful, the walking streets filled, and excellent restaurants!!! The main Market is in Marienplatz, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe. Sadly, the market was more packed with people than possibly any other event I have been to- to the point we left because you couldn't move- so off to the Hofbrau Haus we went! While in Munich, we also went to the St. Bonifaz/Andechs and to the Dachau memorial. Mary and Bernard spent 3 days with us, and Stefan and Elise joined us for a day- having friends with us in this beautiful city just added to the joy!!!
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| The 8 of us entering Marienplatz- the center of Munich |
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| Packed market!! |
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| The beauty of Munich is everywhere!!! |
The Market stalls are just incredible!! Beautiful ornaments, creative Christmas crafts, delicious foods, and of course, gluwein!!!
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| The BEST bratwurst!!! |
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| pork knuckles roasting in restaurant windows |
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| HofBrau Haus |
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| Sadly, we said goodbye to our dear friend Stefan, and new friend Elise |
St. Bonifaz and Andechs brewery ( https://andechs.de/index.php?id=2&L=0 )
This church and brewery are about an hour outside Munich in the mountains- it is really beautiful, with a gorgeous church, live nativity scene, music, a Christmas Market, and brewery with excellent beer!
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| Brewery |
In Englisher Garten, a beautiful Christmas Market at the Chinese Tower:
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| gluwein!!! |
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| Cool market stall! |
Photos at the Market tree:
Dachau Memorial ( http://www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de/ )
We visited Dachau, about 30 minutes outside Munich. Sad, informative, frightening.
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| The original gate: Arbeit Macht Frei- work will make you free |
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The gate building to enter the memorial
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| And so we say goodbye to Munich |
Vienna!!!!!
All I can say about Vienna is WOW!!!!! Although we visited here about 35 years ago, our memory of this magnificent city did not prepare us for this WOW factor! Vienna is truly an Imperial city, with everything on a massive scale! The lights are just incredible!! Every street is lit up, every Market is beautiful, every stall decorated better than the last! While Austria is considered an expensive country, we did not find this trip overly expensive!
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| St. Stephens Cathedral- Stefansplatz |
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| Gluwein!!! |
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| Inside St. Stephens |
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| Karlsplatz market |
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| Main town square with the City Hall |
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| Entry to the town square Christmas Market |
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| Champagne Bar at the Market!! |
The Christmas Market stalls were so filled with beautiful ornaments, cookies, and foods!!
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| Cookies!! |
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| Gluwein!! |
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| cute cats! |
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| Italian goodies! |
We did visit Schonbrunn- the Hapsburg palace! Sadly, no photos inside. but trust me- it was spectacular!!!! The outside, however- wow! And there was a Christmas Market on the grounds!
We also visited two church's! We toured St. Charles (Karlskirche) and St. Stephens (Stefansdom). European cathedrals are truly beauties to behold!!!
St. Charles! The exterior shows the massive dome and two towering columns. The interior- sweeping murals across the dome, an Argentine artist installation of enormous mirrored balls hung from the ceiling, and an elevator to take you to the walkway to view the interior.
St. Stephens Cathedral! Majestic with a sweeping nave, massive columns, beautiful decorative artwork- majestic!
If you ever get the chance- you MUST visit these 3 great cities: Copenhagen, Munich, and Vienna! And if you can- visit during Christmas! The ambience is just incredible!!!!
