The Galway Advertiser has teamed up with podcast host Fergal O'Keeffe to share soul-lifting travel memories about day-dream worthy destinations. Every week he aims to fuel readers' wanderlust while we all wait for post pandemic travel to hopefully return next year.
There are few countries that do Christmas cheer better than the world renowned Christmas markets in Germany. Unfortunately, all German medieval town squares are empty this year. Even Germany’s world-famous Nuremberg Christmas market has been cancelled for the first time since World War II.
There is no sign of the usual snow-capped wooden huts, bright twinkling lights, the sound from brass bands, and the cinnamon scented smell from mulled wine or glühwein.
Christmas markets, a much loved tradition in Germany, have been taking place in towns and villages since the 14th century when stall holders gather to sell seasonal foods, drinks, crafts, and ornaments to celebrate Christmas. Germany has more than 3,000 Christmas markets and they are an important part of the economy, bringing in over €3 billion every year
Tourists from all over the world flock to Germany to experience this most wonderful Christmas tradition. We may not be able to go this year, but it is never too early to start planning a trip to a German market next December.
The most famous cities to host markets are Berlin, Cologne, Munich, and Nuremberg. All these cities are a great option for a festive city break to soak up the Christmas atmosphere.
Every German city has its own market with its own unique characteristics. Nuremberg's sprawling, bustling, Christkindlesmarkt is one of Germany's best known holiday markets and traditionally a big tourist draw.
Cologne is one of the most picturesque, being situated in the shadow of one of the world’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals. Cologne is famous for its live entertainment with more than 100 stage performances throughout December.
My recommendation is to go to Berlin, where there are many festive markets with one for every taste. The German capital is also wonderful city to visit with great history, museums and entertainment.
The biggest and most famous Berlin Christmas market is the Winterwelt in the Potsdamer Platz which transforms into a gigantic winter wonderland. It holds Europe’s largest toboggan run and every weekend hosts live DJs to create a real après-ski party atmosphere,
The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful markets in Berlin with a great Christmas feel with regular choir recitals, and it is famous for its handmade crafts on sale.
Because the traditional markets and winter festivals are so ingrained in Berlin life, you will find lots of entertainment throughout the city every night in December. A visit to a Christmas market in Berlin is a brilliant way to ring in the Christmas season in style.
Fergal O'Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s no 1 travel podcast, Travel Tales with Fergal, which is a weekly interview series where a special guest shares stories from his/her travels, adventures, and experiences living abroad; guests have included Keith Wood and Anthony Daly.
The podcast this week interviewed Richard Fitzpatrick, a Barcelona-based Irish sports journalist, about life as an expat in Barcelona and how will be not be able to return to Ireland this Christmas.
He talks about how difficult it is not being able to see family after such a long, hard, year. His story is the story of many Irish emigrants living abroad this Christmas. This will be the first year of his life he has not been home to Ireland. He sees hope though on the horizon, with the vaccine being made available in Spain early in the New Year. And he expresses his hope to return to Ireland to visit in 2021 as soon as possible.
The Travel Tales with Fergal podcast comes out every Tuesday on all podcasting platforms.
