Frankfurt’s Römerberg glows under the lights of its towering Christmas tree and historic guild houses.
A Season of Lights, Music, and Tradition
There’s something magical about Europe at Christmastime. From late November through December, centuries-old squares transform into glowing holiday villages. Wooden stalls trimmed with evergreens line cobblestone streets, the air fills with the scent of roasted nuts and spiced wine, and music drifts through the crisp night air.
For travelers, it’s a sensory experience like no other — part festival, part cultural tradition, and all wrapped in the charm of old-world Europe.
Our first introduction to this festive world came in 2013, when our daughter, then working in Frankfurt, invited us to visit during the holiday season. What began as a family visit soon became the start of a long love affair with Europe’s Christmas Markets.
Our First Christmas Market Journey – Germany and France, 2013
We based ourselves in Frankfurt, exploring the city’s famous Römerberg Christmas Market, one of Germany’s oldest. The historic square, framed by half-timbered buildings and a towering Christmas tree, set the perfect stage for our introduction to the season.
From there, we ventured further afield — to Dresden, Erfurt, and Idstein, each with its own charm.
• Dresden’s Striezelmarkt, dating back to 1434, dazzled with its giant wooden pyramid and the aroma of freshly baked stollen.
• Erfurt’s market spread beneath the twin spires of its grand cathedral, glowing with color and tradition.
• And Idstein, a quiet gem along Germany’s half-timbered road, offered a cozy, small-town market that felt like stepping into a storybook.
Strasbourg – The Heart of Christmas
Of all the places we visited on that first trip, Strasbourg, France, stole our hearts. Known as ‘The Capital of Christmas,’ Strasbourg’s market dates back to 1570 and fills the old city with light, music, and warmth.
Each evening, the Place Kléber came alive with a spectacular light and sound show, while the scent of spiced wine and Alsatian pastries drifted through the streets. Strasbourg’s blend of French and German influences made it unforgettable — elegant, welcoming, and filled with joy.
We stayed at the Maison Rouge Strasbourg Hotel, perfectly located within walking distance of all the markets — ideal for late-night strolls among the lights.
Strasbourg Christmas Market – “The Alsatian capital shines with timeless Christmas spirit.”
Tastes of the Season
No matter where you go, one thing remains constant — glühwein, the warm, spiced wine served in collectible mugs unique to each market. Over the years, we’ve built quite the collection of mugs, each one a memory of a place and moment shared.
And then there’s the food — from German sausages and brats to Alsatian spaetzle, and of course, a wide array of sweets that no traveler can resist. Each market offers its own flavors, and half the fun is tasting them all.
Getting There and Getting Around
Our 11-day adventure began with a nonstop Lufthansa flight from Boston to Frankfurt. From there, we explored by train, tram, and car — efficient, comfortable, and easy even in winter weather. We drove five hours to Dresden (through sleet and freezing rain — quite the Thanksgiving adventure!), stopped for lunch in Erfurt, and later took the fast train to Strasbourg.
It was on that trip that we discovered how seamlessly European rail travel connects major Christmas Market cities — perfect for those who want to see several destinations in one journey.
The Start of a Traveling Tradition
That first journey in 2013 sparked something that has become one of our favorite holiday traditions. Since then, we’ve returned to Europe again and again — exploring markets in Austria, Switzerland, France, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Belgium, as well as along the Rhine River aboard Viking Cruises.
Each trip adds new memories — and new glühwein mugs — to our growing collection.
This winter, we’ll continue the story with a pre-cruise stay in Madrid before sailing on a Viking Ocean Cruise from Barcelona to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We’re already researching Madrid’s Christmas Markets and can’t wait to see how Spain celebrates the season.
Coming Up in This Series
Over the next several weeks, we’ll share highlights from our favorite Christmas Market destinations — complete with photos, travel tips, and firsthand experiences to help you plan your own holiday adventure.
Here’s what’s ahead:
• How to Plan Your European Christmas Market Adventure
• Frankfurt, Dresden & Erfurt – Our First Taste of Christmas in Germany
• Colmar & the Alsace Region – A Storybook Christmas
• Salzburg, Innsbruck & Munich – A Festive Austrian Tour
• Vienna, Bratislava & Zagreb – Christmas Across Central Europe
• Brussels – Winter Wonders at the Grand-Place
• Viking Rhine Getaway – A Christmas Market River Cruise
• Prague – One City, Endless Christmas Charm
• Madrid Christmas Markets – A New Holiday Chapter
• Why We Keep Coming Back to Europe at Christmastime
Closing Thought
Whether it’s sipping glühwein beneath a cathedral spire, browsing handcrafted ornaments, or simply walking hand-in-hand through a glowing market square, there’s no better way to experience the spirit of the season than in Europe’s Christmas Markets.
We hope you’ll join us as we revisit the markets, the memories, and the magic that keep bringing us back year after year.
Rick and Kathie's Travel Adventures 