Speyer Technik Museum and Weihnachtsmarkt

When Rand was much younger, we visited the Speyer Technik Museum with my parents. I thought it would be a good place to revisit with Rand now and boy, was I right! This kid had the time of his life! Rand had a blast looking at all the planes, trains and automobiles... oh and the U-Boat!

Kids under 5 are free, children 6-14 are 12€ and adults are 14€. 

Parking is 2€.

All around the museum you will see signs like the one below and coin machines. You can buy tokens 6 for 5€ or 13 for 10€ at the front desk or you can use ,50€ or 1€ coins. Each one is different and makes a machine move or make noise. Rand's favorites were the ones to do with trains... go figure. I enjoyed the large musical organs. 

After chasing Rand around the museum for a few hours it was time to go and get some lunch at the Christmas Market just a short walk away. It was a 10minute walk through a park to get to the Speyer Cathedral (The Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen). 

I was so excited to see some Gewürze (spices) and Rand was just as excited to see some rides!

As you can see Rand kept changing his seat while the ride was going :/ 

I am sad to say that was our last Weihnahtsmarkt. We will be moving back to America in the Summer.

TECHNIK MUSEUM SPEYER
Am Technik Museum 1
D-67346 Speyer

Sankt Wendel Weihnachtsmarkt

Rob is over going to a Weihnachtsmarkt... I know, he is crazy. So I went with one of my dear friends to the one in Sankt Wendel. We got there pretty late so finding was a bit hard. Sankt Wendel is made up of two markets; the Mittelaltermarkt (Medieval Market) and the Weihnachtsmarkt. At the Medieval Market you can enjoy jugglers, dancers, musicians, magic tricks acrobatics and puppet shows. The booths are filled with wonderful crafts and delicious foods. You will also enjoy the camels and seeing the "Wisemen" riding them around the market.

I was so excited to try baumstriezel for the first time!

The Weihnachtsmarkt in St Wendel has this fun little section called Zum Zwergenwald (dwarf forest). It is this section you will find many decorated little huts filled with fun little puppets enjoying everyday activities.  

Trippstadt Weihnachtsmarkt

Over the river and through the woods to a Weihnachtsmarkt we go! If you want to experience a different kind of Christmas market located in the center of the Palatinate Forest, you do not want to miss out on the Trippstadt Christmas Market. The woodland scenery was a nice change to the city ones we have been in the past. In the evening, a large number of torches and bonfires create a romantic atmosphere but we headed out early before it got dark. 

About 70 booths offer culinary delicacies (like horse meat), Glühwein, Christmas cookies, crafts and much more. Christmas trees and venison for the Christmas roast are available as well – fresh and guaranteed from the Palatinate Forest. The children can enjoy horseback riding and the carousel.  They also offer a fire show on Saturday evenings. We enjoyed listening to the brass ensemble while walking around the woods market. They say there is a lack of parking so encourage taking a bus (no. 170) from Kaiserslautern main station but we found PLENTY of parking. We parked on the street but could of parked right next to the market in the large parking lot across the street.

Address: Johanniskreuz 1, 67705 Trippstadt

Bernkastel- Kues Weihnachtsmarkt

A couple years ago we went to a wine fest in Bernkastel-Kues. The town was so beautiful and I was looking forward to going back for their Christmas Market. We had a Christmas party that evening so we headed out in the morning so we could spend a few hours there before heading back home.

We parked across the Moselle (or Mosel) River near a grocery store (Edeka) by the bahnhof. On our walk to the bridge, we noticed the Saturday morning farmer's market was still set up in front of the train station. 

Bernkastel-Kues is known for being in the center of the wine growing on the Middle Moselle in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district. Like I said before, we visited for a wine fest a couple years ago but for this trip we were more interested in some glühwein and some rides for Rand to enjoy.  

Tourist-Information

Gestade 6

54470 Bernkastel-Kues

 

Düsseldorf Weihnachtsmarkt

After leaving our rental in Köln we headed over to Düsseldorf for their Christmas Market. We tried to get there right when it opened but ran a bit behind on schedule (had a rough night with Rand so our morning didn't go as smoothly as planned). We go there close to lunch time and the place was packed! 

Düsseldorf was... okay. We probably wouldn't have gone except for the fact it was so close to Köln. Rob and I are not city people and I didn't feel the charm that other small European cities get. This place was bursting with fashion stores and art and every once in a while came up to a pocket of visual appealing architecture.  

Köln Weihnachtsmarkt

I have been wanting to go to Köln for the past 2 years... ever since I saw pictures of the cathedral on Pinterest. We took a quick overnight trip to see Köln and hit up Düsseldorf too.

The city of Köln (or Cologne) has been around for over 2,000 years. The twin-spired Cologne Cathedral (Dom) is breathtaking. It took over 600 years to construct! You are able to climb up and get a view from one of the spires. This city is full of beautiful buildings and amazing museums. We are not museum people and we were mostly there to see the Dom and hit up the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market).

Köln's Weihnachtsmarkt is actually made up of 4 separate markets; the Cathedral Market, the Old Town Market, the Angel's Market in the City (Neumarkt) and the Harbour Market. You can walk to all of them but we opted for the Christmas Market Express. It was about 8€ each and takes you to each market and a bit of a tour guide through the city. 

Weihnachtsmarkt Favorites

When I first went shopping in Germany, I as VERY overwhelmed! It took a a lot of guessing and iTranslate uses to finally feel comfortable. Going to a Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) is just as overwhelming. Not only is it large and packed full of people but its all in another language. Some people speak English but it is still nerve wrecking and intimidating trying to say " eine Krautschupfnudeln bitte" without sounding like an idiot. 

Christmas markets are full of amazing vendors selling yummy foods and treats, adorable Christmas trinkets and one of a kind items perfect to give as presents for the holidays. 

Here are some of my favorite things to get at a Weihnachtsmarkt. Now, at all Christmas markets sell these items but most do and be sure to try them out!

1. Weihnachtssterne/ Papierstern Lampenschirme (Star lantern)
You can not help but stare at the beautiful paper lanterns lit up around the vendor's stall. You can buy these anywhere from 5-15€. They can be lit by a light bulb or a small bundle of lights. 

2. Glühwein Becher (Glühwein mug)
Glühwein (or mulled wine) is always a favorite at every Weihnachtsmarkt. You can also get the kinderpunsch (the alcohol free version) which I actually like a lot better or the Eierpunsch (kind of like an eggnog). They are served in a special mug that is unique to each market. Many collect them or you can return to the vendor to get your deposit back. The deposit ranges between 1,50€-6€. 

3. Krautschupfnudeln is a harmonious blend of spaetzle, sauerkraut, speck (cured pork or bacon) and in some cases cheese. Whenever I see this amazing dish for sale, I run over and buy it. It is so amazing! I will have to master making it myself for when I move back to the States.
If you feel like you will not enjoy this feel, no worries! :) The market is packed full of amazing foods. I know you will find something delicious! 

4. Lebkuchen is a traditional German baked Christmas treat, somewhat resembling gingerbread. They are made into different shapes, ranging from circles to stars to squares. Some are plain or have chocolate or nuts on top.

5.  Gewürze (spices)
This year I was on the hunt for some fresh herbs and spices. Last year I bought some fresh ginger for my homemade gingerbread cookie recipe and it was a hit! I needed more ginger and wanted to get some other fresh ingredients for other recipes. Be sure to translate your list of spices into German before you leave the house. 
This year my list: ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, oregano, nutmeg, cayenne pepper (ngwer, Zimt, Kurkuma, Oregano, Muskatnuss, Cayennepfeffer) 

6. Räuchermann (incense smoke)
I started collecting these decorative incense burners a few years ago. Each figurine comes apart and holds a small incense cone. When lit, the smoke floats out of the figure’s mouth to make him look like he’s smoking. They are sold in many different styles and sizes. I like the more traditional ones best: craftsmen, miners, night watchmen but they do sell more modern ones like athletes and such.

7. Adventskranz (Advent wreath)
If you live near a blumen shop, I highly recommend ordering an advent wreath from them. That way you can pick out colors and support small, local businesses. If not, no worries :) You can buy one ready to go from a vendor at the Weihnachtsmarkt. One candle is lit on each Sunday in Decemeber, to represent the countdown to Christmas. Here is a bit more info on the Adventskranz. 

Weihnachtsmarkt- Mannheim

After a trip to Ikea, we headed to the Weihnachtsmarkt 

in Mannheim to grab some lunch 

and enjoy some mulled wine (Glühwein). 

We parked near Altstadt near the Weihnachtsmarkt.

When we got home, we finished decorating our Christmas tree. Rand enjoyed helping me hang ornaments.