Gabrielle Estel

<p>This holiday season I had the wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in the twinkling lights, festive melodies, and warm gluhwein (mulled wine) of Germany’s Christmas markets.</p>
<p><strong>Regensburg: A Medieval Gem Aglow with Christmas Magic</strong></p>
<p>My journey began in the medieval city of Regensburg. I loved meandering through Regensburg’s sprawling UNESCO World Heritage Old Town and across the iconic Stone Bridge – tasting a chocolate from Germany’s oldest coffeehouse, Café Prinzess, and a sausage from Germany’s oldest sausage kitchen, Historische Wurstkuche, along the way.</p>
<p>Regensburg’s cobblestone streets led me to Neupfarrplatz Christmas market with St. Peter's Cathedral towering over the festivities. I wandered through rows of charming wooden stalls adorned with handcrafted ornaments, roasted nuts, and gingerbread hearts. After exploring, I went to an amazing sausage and beer tasting! I tried caramelized beer.</p>
<p>At night, I visited the Romantic Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Castle. The palace courtyard, complete with a huge Christmas tree in the center, was the perfect magical backdrop for holiday cheer. The lights from the small shops reflected lovely colors up the towers of the palace.</p>
<p><strong>Wurzburg: Baroque Beauty Illuminated by Christmas Charm</strong></p>
<p>My festive trip continued in Wurzburg, a city adorned with baroque architecture. My stay in Franconian Wurzburg started with a taste of Silvana wine and Silvana soup (a recipe I need to learn for myself!). Silvana is a white wine variety known for its crispness and delicate floral notes. </p>
<p>Warmed from the wine, I made my way to the Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The opulent architecture and gardens were just stunning. My guide did a wonderful job unpacking the details of the frescos and giving me insight into the motivations, life, and contemporary society of the prince-bishop who created it. The Residenz hosts musical festivals in the summer, and I will be back someday to attend!</p>
<p>Then I went to the Burgerspital Weingut cellar for a wine tasting of Silvana, Riesling, and more! Burgerspital wine estate has over 700 years of history and tradition to share. It also houses some of the oldest dated vintages, such as bottle from 1540 once owned by King Ludwig of Bavaria. After the tasting and dinner, I took a leisurely stroll across the Old Main Bridge and admired the panoramic views of the city and Marienberg Fortress.</p>
<p><strong>Heidelberg: A Castle Town Bathed in Holiday Splendor</strong></p>
<p>My journey continued to Heidelberg, a UNESCO City of Literature. The ruins of Heidelberg Castle loomed over the city, creating a poetic backdrop to my wanderings through the Old Town, over the Old Bridge, and up Philosopher’s Way. It felt like wandering through a fairy-tale. The vibrant student atmosphere around the historic Heidelberg University added a youthful energy to this city of past and present.</p>
<p>I took the cable car up to the Heidelberg Castle ruins perched on a hill overlooking the Neckar River and admired the panoramic view of Heidelberg’s red roofs and glittering Christmas Market lights. In the cellar of the ruins, I learned about the quirky history of Perkeo, an often-drunk court dwarf jester, and saw the world’s largest wine barrel.</p>
<p>For dinner, I was treated to one of Heidelberg’s traditional establishments that has been managed by the same family for six generations. Eating perfect schnitzel while listening to live holiday piano music was the perfect stop before exploring all the Christmas market squares.</p>
<p><strong>Koblenz: Where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers Embrace the Spirit of the Season</strong></p>
<p>Next on my yuletide adventure was Koblenz. The Deutsches Eck, or German Corner, with its colossal equestrian statue of Emperor William I offered a striking view of where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. I took the cable cars over the rivers and up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. The fortress was decked out in lights for the holiday season! From cute penguins statues to a dragon breathing fire, I loved not knowing what I would find around the next bend.</p>
<p>The Christmas market at the Old Town Square exuded warmth and cheer, with the iconic Schaengelbrunnen fountain dressed in festive lights. I had a wonderful time ducking into different shops, the local library, and museums between glasses of gluhwein. I also visited Schwaab Winery. The old-mine-turned-cellar was stunning, and the sommelier made the story of each wine worth remembering.</p>
<p><strong>Planning Your Own German Adventure</strong></p>
<p>If reading about my German journey has ignited your wanderlust, I'd love to chat with you about it! Feel free to reach out to me, and we can discuss all the exciting possibilities and practical tips to make your German adventure truly unforgettable. Some of my favorite suppliers for Germany are Avanti Destinations, Kensington Tours, AMA Waterways, and Tauck. This is my second time visiting Germany, and I know I will return soon!</p>