by Jennifer Grinold, December 2010
Christmas is a beautiful time of year in Europe. And what a joy it is to proximity of dozens of wonderful Christmas markets that run throughout the season! Last year was our first winter in Switzerland, and we had the chance to visit just two markets: Zurich and Baden. This year, I set a personal goal to visit one market a week, and not just in Switzerland, but in France and Germany as well. I have lots of impressions to share of the wonderful markets we’ve enjoyed thus far.
We kicked off the Christmas season with a visit to the “Capital of Christmas” in the Alsatian city of Strasbourg, just a 2 and ½ hour train ride from Zurich. Strasbourg opened its first Christmas Market in 1570 and it is one of the oldest in Europe, now hosting has more than 11 markets throughout the city, plus a variety of concerts and performances. The Christmas festivities run until December 31 this year and we arrived the opening day, November 27. We began our holiday tour at Place de la gare right at the train station, where we shopped at the arts and crafts market. Next we visited the Village of Sharing at Place Kleber, featuring over 60 charity and humanitarian organizations. From there we made our way to the Place de la cathedrale, where we explored wonderful market stalls and my kids enjoyed some local music and a carousel ride. The Cathedral seemed to be the heart of the Christmas festivities and we held on to our kids tight as we made it through the immense crowds. We headed over to the river for a cruise on the Ill, but unfortunately ran out of steam and instead stopped for a bit to eat. We tried some Flamme Kuche (Alsacian pizza) and Vin Chaud (mulled wine) available both in the red and white varieties. With full bellies, we crossed the river to visit the Place d’Austerlitz with the Bredle Market featuring Christmas breads and local wines and delicacies. The kids wanted to see the Children’s Village at the Place Saint Thomas, so we walked there to see crafts and games for kids in a covered tent which was warm, but rather crowded. We then ventured back through the streets near the Cathedral which had transformed in the night sky into a stunning show of Christmas lights which included crystal chandeliers. We ended our day with the official lighting of the Christmas tree back at Place Kleber. It was a long day full of Christmas magic. Strausbourg really goes above and beyond for Christmas and was unlike any market I have ever seen and I highly recommend it. Keep in mind, it is an extremely popular Christmas destination, so book your hotels early! Photo Album of the Strasbourg Christmas Market. For the full program of Strasbourg, see www.noel.strasbourg.eu.
Our next stop was the German Black Forest at the Freiburg Christmas Market. Freiburg is considered to have one of the most beautiful holiday markets in Germany and it runs until December 23 this year. Freiburg is just a little more than a 2 hour train ride from Zurich. The central market is located on the Rathausplatz in the heart of the old town, just a ten minute walk from the train station. The Christmas stalls are decorated with pine branches and feature wood carvers, gem cutters, glassblowers, potters and candlestick makers, as well as mulled wine, gingerbread, hot chestnuts and other regional specialties. The market was much smaller than Strasbourg, but full of local crafts, local foods and fun rides and activities for the kids. Actually, my 7 year old son said he liked this market best – because he found cotton candy there! Photo Album of the Freiburg Christmas Market.
For more information, see: www.weihnachtsmarkt.freiburg.de
Last weekend, my 5-year old son and I visited the Basel Weihnachsfestival, which is just about an hour train ride from Zurich. Basel hosts the largest and most traditional Christmas Market in Switzerland, which are just a 15-minute walk, or a short tram ride, from the train station. We focused on the markets at Barfusserplatz and Theaterplatz where my son did his Christmas shopping. The beautiful market stalls were full of Christmas decorations, crafts, jewelry and delicious local foods and drinks. My son and I watched as they made a brick oven fired type of pizza and gobbled up the delicious treat as it came out the oven. We walked to Rathausplatz where we visited the beautiful Christmas tree and recorded our advent wishes in the public “Wishes Book”. On our walk back to the train station, we enjoyed a parade of Santigläuse dressed in Santa Claus costumes, driving their Harley-Davidson motorcycles through old town. It was a very fun and easy day trip. Basel Christmas Market Photo Album.
For more information on Basel, see: www.baslerweihnacht.ch/
All the Christmas markets that we’ve visited this year were lovely. Strasbourg was certainly the most impressive and I easily could have spent an entire weekend enjoying all the markets and activities. I’m still deciding which markets I should put on my list to visit before the Christmas season is over. Let me know if you have any good suggestions.
Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a very
Happy New Year!
