Gingerbread and glühwein
Christkindlesmarkt at Nuremburg is holiday shopping as it’s meant to be. Pulling in over two million visitors each year, the markets have been a German institution for nearly 400 years. Some 180 stalls overflow with toys, trinkets, candles, decorations and sweets.
Mum and dad can feast on bratwurst and Glühwein (mulled wine), while littlies explore the Nuremburg Toy Museum, take a ride on the carved wooden Ferris wheel, explore the old-fashioned steam railway and two-tiered merry-go-round and munch on spicy gingerbread. On that note, you simply cannot mention Christmas in Germany without mentioning the city’s beloved gingerbread – Nürnberger Lebkuchen. These sweet and spicy desserts have been baked for more than 600 years. According to legend, the finest variety is named after Elisabeth, the daughter of a baker, who grew ill. Her father starting baking a new type of bread that only used the finest ingredients and the girl regained her health.