This is mildly embarrassing but can you believe I didn’t know about European Christmas Markets until about two years ago? Well I didn’t. And then Helene moved to Germany and I witnessed the joy of Christmas Markets as she explored them. When I found out I was moving to Europe, one of the things that most excited me was how easy it would be for me to visit those famed markets!
You see, growing up in South Florida, Christmas was never cold. Ever. We spent days running around outside in shorts and swimming in the pool. On top of that, my childhood Christmases weren’t overly cultural. We’ve never been the family who went to midnight mass or even did the traditional Colombian novena. Our meals were definitely multi-cultural, depending on which side of the family we spent Christmas with that year. So growing up Christmas was mostly about spending time with family, decorating the house and exchanging gifts.
We moved to Tennessee during the time when it still snowed in Knoxville, so I was finally able to experience a cold Christmas. I loved it! (You know I’m always sweating, so being cold and not sweating was a godsend.) Now we were able to wear sweaters, beanies, gloves and boots. Christmas, and the entire winter season, actually began to feel like it was supposed to.
You know when you get so excited for something but then life happens and you almost forget about it? Well, that happened to me when I moved to Madrid. I almost forgot about all the European Christmas Markets! Fortunately, some friends reminded me and I headed to my first one, in Frankfurt, Germany. It was wonderful! Then over my longer vacation, I visited Prague and Vienna, and loved walking around both cities, popping into the bigger and smaller markets throughout.
Here’s why they’re so great: European Christmas Markets are joy made real. Vendors set up booths of delicious, traditional foods, drinks, and trinkets. The whole event is designed for you to have fun, spend time with loved ones, and get into the Christmas spirit. Whether you want to spend all day trying different delicacies, drinking or shopping ’til you drop, there is something for you. For me, it sort of feels like I’ve walked into a Hallmark Christmas movie.
The way my vacations are spread out this year don’t really allow me to visit many Christmas Markets, but I’m excited to explore some new ones! I’m hoping to visit some in Germany, because Christmas Markets are said to have originated there. I also want to visit Innsbruck, because Christmas in Innsbruck (and Austria in general) is bound to be stunning. And if I have a little more time, I’d like to explore the Strasbourg Christmas Market as well. Only time will tell!
Oh – and for some reason I’ve yet to write my full post on Prague or Vienna but don’t worry, they’re coming!