They are few things that elicit that magical Christmas feeling more than a Christmas market. The lights, the sounds, the smells, wrapping up warm against the bracing cold, all these elements combine to give us that warm and fuzzy feeling that we only experience over the festive period.
Germany is often regarded as the undisputed king when it comes to the Christmas market. They’ve made it into an artform, with lavish displays across hundreds of stalls selling everything from hot food to Christmas gifts and trinkets. If you’re planning a trip to Germany to experience these wonderful markets for yourself, there are a few things you need to do to prepare. Keep reading to find out more.
Get Travel Insurance
When we’re taking any trip abroad, unfortunately accidents can happen. In amongst the excitement of visiting a new place, we can often forget to stay aware of our surroundings and can end up paying the price for our over exuberance. Medical and emergency services abroad can be starkly different to what we’re used to, and that’s without taking the language barrier into account. Trying to access medical treatment can be stressful and expensive and can threaten to turn your festive getaway into a yuletide nightmare.
The best way to avoid this happening is to book insurance for your holidays ahead of time. Doing so will provide you cover for medical expenses should you fall ill or get injured and can also cover you in case your luggage gets lost, or your flights get cancelled.
Wrap Up Warm
Germany can get cold in the winter. The last thing you want is to be freezing as you check out the Christmas markets. Not only could this ruin your enjoyment of the experience, but it can also come with serious health risks like hypothermia.
You’ll need to pack plenty of weather appropriate clothes to ensure you stay warm while you are in Germany. A thick, warm jacket is essential, as are things like hats, gloves, and a scarf. Remember to bring waterproofs too, you don’t want to get caught in the rain unprepared.
Choose Your Destination
Germany is a big country, made up of large, densely populated cities as well as small, remote towns and villages. A huge majority of the country’s cities and towns hold Christmas markets and celebrations, with some estimates predicting that there are several thousand Christmas markets held in the country every year.
Before your trip, you’ll need to decide whereabouts it is you want to go. The choices are almost endless, and where you ultimately decide to go will depend entirely on your personal preferences.
Some of the most popular destinations include Berlin, Munich, and Cologne. These cities host enormous Christmas markets that see visitors from all over the world. If you’re looking for a true festive spectacle with loads on offer, one of these big cities could be the perfect choice for you.
If you’re looking for a more intimate, unique experience, you might want to consider visiting one of the many small towns or villages dotted throughout the country. These can offer a far more personal and individualised Christmas market experience, with many of these markets working to represent their villages unique customs, traditions, and characteristics.
Conclusion
While Christmas used to spend at home, more and more people are deciding to spend their festive holidays abroad. This can offer a number of efits; you get the chance to experience Christmas traditions in another country and experience another culture without the masses of tourists you would likely see in the summer.
