CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Fairytale atmosphere.

When friends suggested visiting the Frankfurt Christmas markets in Germany my first response was to dive for the warmth of my duvet. However, the promise of two days shopping in a wonderfully festive setting proved too good an opportunity to miss.

Based in Britain at the time, there was no problem securing a very reasonable deal on a weekend Christmas market package, with travel agents offering a range of flight times and accommodation options for every budget.

Markets are held every December in towns and cities across Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Holland, Poland and the Czech Republic. Each offers crafts, gifts and food unique to the culture of the region.

Having received a beautiful handcrafted German Christmas mobile as a child, I was keen to visit the country of its origin for similar decorations. The website www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk was invaluable, providing short profiles of all major markets across Germany.

FRANKFURT: Lavishly decorated market stalls.

Each town offered something different and we were particularly tempted by Bamberg’s 35-scene Nativity trail winding across the town and Augsburg’s Angel Play. This stunning sight involved angels appearing over the market square transforming the Town Hall into a giant advent calendar.

Due to budget and time constraints, we eventually settled on the Frankfurt markets. They promised a beautiful atmosphere plus wonderful food and gifts with the added bonus of frequent, low-priced flights to and from London.

These markets were the perfect size for a weekend away, however, once shopping was over, there was little else to do in the centre itself.

For travellers with a longer time frame than ours, I would suggest visiting a European city of historical interest as well and spending a day or so sightseeing before hitting the markets.   

Our first impression of Frankfurt’s markets was the aroma – freshly baked, sweet bread mingled with the spicy tang of Bratwurst sausages and sauerkraut.

In fact, food stalls were nearly as prevalent as those selling handcrafts. The range of sausages and schnitzels was amazing as was the way they were cooked – swinging over a fire on a huge, suspended hotplate. There was also plenty for those with a sweet tooth including handmade chocolates, luscious cakes and sinful pastries.

As for the crafts, it really was a Christmas addict’s dream. We saw ornamental Santas, snowmen and reindeer, candles, wooden nativity scenes, a huge array of lights and beautiful hand-stitched linen. Our friends bought gorgeous, rustic birdfeeders for family in rural England while I went crazy over the Christmas tree decorations.

We both purchased German Smoking Men who will have prize place in our homes over Christmas, happily puffing out a rich cinnamon fragrance.   

When the sun went down the markets came alive. Fairy lights twinkled, the choir sang, the Tower Horns played and our group shared a piping hot, mulled wine under a 40-foot Christmas tree.

Call me sentimental if you like but I loved all that tradition. It truly was a magical weekend and though it is unlikely I’ll be back there for a while, New Zealanders planning a European winter, would do well to factor in a trip to Germany’s Christmas Markets. I’m willing to bet you’ll come home with enough ornaments to decorate a dozen trees.