Travel Talk Sat July 11: Christmas Markets planning in July (online, everyone welcome)

FUTURE ONLINE TRAVEL TALKS: 2nd Saturdays, except as noted

August 8: Greece, travels and tips beyond Athens

November 14: Trips We've Taken
Let's talk about the trips we have taken this year!
(meeting announcement not yet posted)

December 12: Travel souvenirs and travel trees
- let's see what you bought from this year's travels
- show us your Christmas travel tree (if it's not up yet, maybe a photo from last year?)
(meeting announcement not yet posted)

Hi CWsocial, ah, Christmas in July! I would like to attend. I’ll bring out one of my Christmas Market mugs filled with coffee for the meeting. : )

I went to 6 cities’ Christmas Markets (Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Esslingen, Strasbourg), plus Paris last year, and had such a good time! I already have hotel reservations to explore 11 “new to me” German cities in December this year & attend their Christmas Markets.

”Disclaimer - the discussions at these travel meetings have been known to increase the length of travel wishlists!”. LOL! That happens with our local group meet ups, too! : )

Oh, Jean, great idea! I will bring my Polish pottery mug from the Belvedere Palace market in Vienna! Or maybe my Frankfurt Christmas mug from my 2019 trip. Maybe both, they're small!

It will be great to have a variety of Christmas Markets to talk about!

For those thinking of joining, I went on the Rick Steves Munich, Salzburt, Vienna tour and went to Christmas Markets in those cities.

And in 2019, I stayed in Frankfurt and visited Christmas Markets by train as day trips, with Ms Jo!

Boo! I have to work that Saturday. I would have loved to hear about the Christmas markets. Maybe I'll consider pulling a sickie!

Count me in!
I’m dreaming of a Christmas market trip but talking about them will be just as much fun.

And August will be better cause we are traveling to Greece in September.

I will be on Orkney but hopefully the timing will work!

I've taken 2 Christmas market trips. The first was southern Germany, Alsace and Salzburg; the second, Budapest, Vienna and French Riviera. I'll try to make it but I'll be in Chicago so I won't know until much closer to the date if I'll be available.

I look forward to Greece in August - and maybe even an IRL trip in the fall.

I will be in Iceland then and will try and work it in if at all possible. It looks like it will be around 5:00 p.m. there, so I will hopefully be able to squeeze it in, although I might be a little late. I would really like to come! I’m planning to visit the Christmas markets at the end of this year and would love to get some good info!

CwSocial,
I went on the Rick Steves Munich Salzberg Vienna tour the first week of December in 2019! It was so much fun and inspired me to visit Europe again for the markets and festive atmosphere and celebrations. Paris in 2023, and London in 2024! Next, is Copenhagen in December 2026.

Oh I hope that TTM will be able to find a way to join because we need those photos of ladies in Christmas hats with their dance partner

I'd like to join this meeting. It will be my first time so I'll watch for your message CW. Thanks!

I’d like to join the meeting.

Please include me, too.

I would like to be included, too.

I want to attend!

I would like to attend. Nov/Dec travel is one of my favorite times. Thx.

Count me in. Have been to so many markets, some of them multiple times since I live here.

Yeah, I’m glad Ms. Jo will be in this Zoom! I hope more people from Europe will join us, too, for the local view on the Christmas Markets.

I'd love to join in. In 2024, I spent 2+ weeks visiting Christmas markets in Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Munich, Salzburg, Paris, and the Black Forest, plus nearby towns. Discovered so many smaller markets in the bigger cities, too. Such fun. Thanks

Hi CW Social,
I'm a senior citizen solo traveler and would like to join you on July 11. My first time joining this meeting. I will await further guidance from you.
Looking forward to this!
Louise Hammond

New Participants: I've sent a quick note to those of you who are new to this meeting. If you haven't received a forum message from me (it may have been a month or more ago) then my apologies, I may have missed your RSVP while I was traveling.

I will send the meeting link about a month before this July meeting.

In the meantime, perhaps we will see you on April 11th when we talk about our upcoming travels!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/travel-meetings/travel-talk-sat-april-11-where-are-you-headed-online-everyone-welcome

I would like to join this discussion. We went last year to some markets and am interested in going again.
Robin

jobeck52, great, glad you will be joining!

Contrary to what I stated above, I'll send the link for this meeting in the usual time frame, much nearer the meeting date.

All Christmas Market travelers (and hopefuls) welcome!

the discussions at these travel meetings have been known to increase the length of travel wishlists!

Even more dangerous - within a week of our last Travel Talk on Spain, one of the participants had confirmed bookings for flights and hotels for 3 weeks. Apropos of the upcoming topic, the focus of that trip . . . . Spanish Xmas markets.

I'll be in Chicago on July 11. I won't know until a day or two ahead if I'll be able to join or for how long. If that's okay, please send me the link.

I love a good Christmas Market! Please count me in.

Hello,

I'm interested in attending.

Katie

Great, Katiecen, you are welcome to join!

Reminder, everyone, of this meeting upcoming in July. I will send out the meeting link the week before the meeting.

I still plan to attend.

Please include me in the invites. Am I the only one here who has been to the xmas market in Rouen?

Looking forward to Christmas Markets discussions! I will send the meeting invites nearer the meeting date.

I would like to attend. Thank you!

I have my Christmas Market trip itinerary laying on my office desk, ready to pick up any ideas or hints from our upcoming meeting. Looking forward to this one a lot! Thanks for organizing it, CWsocial!

I’ll have a Christmas Mug filled with coffee! : )

Darn, I have to miss this one! Traveling at that time and unsure where I might be.

With the heat wave in Europe and Summer weather in full swing here, this topic may become even more popular by the meeting date! ; )

I would like to join! Not really interested in the markets, but want to see everyone! It’s been too long!

New to the thread, very interested in attending

I’d like to attend please.

I’d like to attend!

Welcome to everyone!

"I’ll have a Christmas Mug filled with coffee! : ) "

Jean, this is the merriest of ideas! Let's all bring a favorite Christmas mug or Christmas souvenir to add to the festivities! It may be a bit too warm for a Christmas sweater :)

Mainly, please bring tales of your favorite Christmas Markets!

I would like to attend. I go to Christmas Markets every year (just about) and am looking for new ones. I will be flying into Frankfurt and taking the train north.

I would like to attend. Also the Greece session.

bill and CAjan, welcome to both of you!

bill, please RSVP on each thread for the meeting you'd like to join. My so-called "process" for sending out the meeting links to those on a meeting announcement is pretty limited and can't handle cross-thread RSVPs.

I would like to join & learn for the Christmas Markets! First timer...

I still hope to be there, but we will be in Iceland then and may be out sightseeing. But I will try!

I would like the link to the presentation.

I have not attended a zoom meeting with the forum before, but would love to join the Christmas Market Travel Talk next weekend.
Thank you. Salbeachbum

Count me in!!
Thanks!

Would love to attend!

I’m not going to make it! Headed to the Channel Islands to get out of the heat!

I would like to join! We are visiting Prague > Cesky Krumlov > St. Wolfgang > Vienna this December! This is the perfect webinar for us.

I will be sending the meeting details later today.

If your schedule has changed and you can no longer make it. please let me know. (Thank you Tammy!)

If your schedule has changed and you're able to make it, please RSVP on this thread by Friday! Plenty of space.

For those of you joining, please bring your questions and stories - including a Christmas Markets souvenir, if you wish. And of course, coffee in your favorite Christmas Markets mug!

Can I please come? I would love to hear any comments about Tallinn and Helsinki in the holiday season.

I have sent a forum message to each person who posted an RSVP, above. If you have not received my message, please message me privately - I do sometimes miss someone.

If you have received a private forum message that does not include the meeting link, please reply to the message to receive it.

For those who are new to the Travel Talk meetings, a few things to know.

I will start the meeting promptly at 10am Pacific time, we'll take a brevissima pausa (very short break) midway through, and finish no later than Noon Pacific time. (Feel free to come and go as your travel schedule or real life dictates.)

I will open the meeting 15 or 20 minutes before the start time so that you can test your audio, video, and chat with fellow Christmas Market travelers.

Once you join, please change your Zoom screen name to the name you prefer to be called in the meeting, together with your forum name, if that is different. Example: "Glinda aka TheGoodWitch."

We will not do introductions as that would take up too much of the meeting time. You can learn about your fellow travelers by reading their forum profiles and looking back through their posts.

This is a "moderated conversation" rather than a presentation. Please "raise your hand" to share stories of your favorite Christmas Market, ask specific questions for an upcoming Christmas Markets trip, or ask general questions to help turn your Christmas Market dreams into reality. If you have an answer to someone's question, I'll take those at the time of the question, so just draw attention to yourself, and I'll try to ask "can anyone answer that"?

HOMEWORK BEFORE THE SESSION
Forum profile - it would be great if each person has an updated forum profile that others can review before the meeting.

Prepare your questions and stories...
Which Christmas Markets have you been to?
Which Christmas Market was your favorite?
Which Christmas Market are you headed to?
Any tips for first time Christmas Market visitors?

I hope to see many of you sipping your coffee from a favorite Christmas Markets mug, or showing off a favorite Christmas Markets souvenir!

I am going to kickstart the conversation for Saturday with my own answers:

Which Christmas Markets have you been to?
I've taken two trips timed for Christmas Markets. My first was to Frankfurt, where I stayed for about a week and took short day trips (several with Ms Jo) to nearby towns for their Christmas Markets. Frankfurt was a perfect place because there were lots of things to do in the mornings (museums, etc) before heading out to the markets in the afternoons.

My second trip (2025) was as part of the Rick Steves Munich, Salzburg, Vienna tour. There was plenty of time for Christmas Markets during free time and after the tour day of activities. Our trip was timed so that we were in Salzburg during their Krampus runs, which was fun, and a little scary!

Which Christmas Market was your favorite?
I enjoyed being in the big cities (Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna) where there were lots of Christmas Markets, scattered across the city. You could stop by Christmas Markets on the way to/from various sights. Best example: the Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace in Vienna.

Which Christmas Market are you headed to?
I don't know, but I bet I'll get some ideas on Saturday!!

Any tips for first time Christmas Market visitors?
I think Christmas Markets are the most fun with a group of friends with whom you can share a glass of wine!
Bring a bag for your haul of Christmas Market souvenirs, many of which are fragile!
Forget a hat? You're sure to find plenty, some handmade, at the Christmas Markets

Hi CWsocial, my house painting started, so there’s a chance I might not be able to join the Zoom if they’re working on the stain Saturday morning (very allergic to that smell). So, I will go ahead and share the questions you asked, just in case:

Which Christmas Markets have you been to?
14-day total trip: Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, Stuttgart/Esslingen, Strasburg, (ended in Paris)

Which Christmas Market was your favorite?
In Vienna, the Rathaus was our favorite of 5. In Salzburg, up at the castle, In Munich we only went to the main one. In Stuttgart, up at Esslingen’s medieval market. In Strasbourg, at the cathedral.

Which Christmas Market are you headed to?
I am going to stay in 11 German cities that are new to me on a solo trip. I am trying to stay away from the Christmas river tour route cities, but there will be some overlap. Regensburg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Erfurt, Dresden, Leipzig, Bremen, Munster, Aachen, Cologne, & Frankfurt.

Any tips for first time Christmas Market visitors?

• Traveling by train was extremely easy. I purposely chose cities that had direct trains of 2 hours or less between them. Several cities had easy trams/metros, too. We only used a taxi in Salzburg.
• I reserved hotels within two blocks of the main market of each city. That made it so easy to leave off an item from the market, use our own bathroom, or just take a break.
• I packed a roll of bubble wrap - perfect for those cute Christmas Market mugs!
• Wearing 1-2 of the 32 Degree micro-thin long sleeve tops with my warm winter coat made it easy to pack light!
• Oh, a big one! Decorate your home before you leave & take a few photos. This made it very easy to decide if I should buy something specific- not a vague “clutter purchase”, but where would I place it in my home & what size should it be? And how fun to walk in my home afterwards, it’s all ready for Christmas & adding my new purchases to a bookshelf, tree & table! : )

I would like to join too. I will be in York this December which has a Christmas market!

I think I sent a private message with my email, but I'll toss my name in for Saturday, again.
Thanks,
Cheryl

CanAmCherie and BethFL - I've sent each of you a forum message.

Sorry, CanAmCherie, my process is pretty unsophisticated....send a forum message to each RSVP for that meeting announcement. So I'm glad you've now RSVPd on both the August meeting and this Saturday's.

I will be able to attend! I look forward to seeing everyone and reminiscing about my 2 prior Xmas trips and hopefully learning about Spain for my upcoming trip this year.

good news, Chani

Please sign me up.
I will admit, I haven't ever really figured out the draw of these, so I'll be listening in to see what appeals, particularly for repeat visitors.
A solo traveler perspective would be greatly appreciated as well.

I would like to join and offer my input on Vienna, Salzburg and Wolfgangsee.

MariaF and Emily, I have sent each of you a forum message with the meeting details. Welcome!

For those of you who may be going to Vienna, you can find a lot of information in Emily's Christmas Markets post, where she gives her local's take on the markets as well as lots of helpful basics, links and tips.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/austria/vienna-christmas-markets-2025-a-local-s-take

Please bring your Vienna Christmas Markets questions for Emily and others!

To those who are new to this meeting

If you do not yet have the meeting link, please check for a private message from me on this forum and reply accordingly, preferably today. I will check my messages one final time 40 minutes prior to the meeting start.

Everyone please check a few things to know about tomorrow's meeting, above.

I would like to join please!

For those who are new to the Travel Talk meetings, a few things to know.

I will start the meeting promptly at 10am Pacific time.

We'll take a brevissima pausa (very short break) midway through, and finish no later than Noon Pacific time. (Feel free to come and go as your travel schedule or real life dictates.)

I will open the meeting 15 or 20 minutes before the start time so that you can test your audio, video, and chat with fellow Christmas Market travelers.

Once you join, please change your Zoom screen name to the name you prefer to be called in the meeting, together with your forum name, if that is different. Example: "Glinda aka TheGoodWitch."

We will not do introductions as that would take up too much of the meeting time. You can learn about your fellow travelers by reading their forum profiles and looking back through their posts.

This is a "moderated conversation" rather than a presentation. Please "raise your hand" to share stories of your favorite Christmas Market, ask specific questions for an upcoming Christmas Markets trip, or ask general questions to help turn your Christmas Market dreams into reality. If you have an answer to someone's question, I'll take those at the time of the question, so just draw attention to yourself, and I'll try to ask "can anyone answer that"?

HOMEWORK BEFORE THE SESSION
Forum profile - it would be great if each person has an updated forum profile that others can review before the meeting.

Prepare your questions and stories...
Which Christmas Markets have you been to?
Which Christmas Market was your favorite?
Which Christmas Market are you headed to?
Any tips for first time Christmas Market visitors?

I hope to see many of you sipping your coffee from a favorite Christmas Markets mug, or showing off a favorite Christmas Markets souvenir!

Emily, we had hoped to receive your wisdom. We are meeting now...

Thank you to everyone who joined today to ask questions, share stories and expertise!

This is my 2019 Trip Report from my weeklong visit to Frankfurt and surrounding Christmas Markets. Some things may be out of date, but it can give you an idea of Christmas Markets within easy (easy!) day trips from Frankfurt:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-frankfurt-as-a-base-for-christmas-markets

Ms Jo was filiming several of the Christmas Markets while we visited and you can find her videos on her Frankfurt on Foot YouTube channel.

Another great meeting! Thanks for all the expertise!

Thanks for a great, lively meeting!
If anyone needs links to anything we talked about, just send me a message.

I mentioned two places in Germany with markets off the beaten trail.

Euskirchen SSW of Kõln was the one I was less keen on. To be fair It was very small in a small town centre, although for warming up it was adjacent to a large department store (warm and toilets), but I think I was really put off by the plain town and strange hotel keeper.

Now for the one we really liked. Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is the one I like so much. Near the bridge at Remagen, across and down from Bonn. Washed away in the floods, rebuilt mostly when I went back the following summer. Hope they are back on their feet. An exquisitely beautiful town at the Ahrweiler end of the twin towns, in all the little lanes and courts. Music, local stalls, local items (I got a brush for my radiators, yes at the Christmas Market), lovely church, excellent food and the folks drinking seemed happy too. Parking under the bank and main square and singers on the balcony above the bank. Loved it.

It was fun to put some faces together with names. Thanks for the interesting two hour discussion on Christmas Markets. Here are some of my favorites:
1. Dresden - the best all round market including atmosphere, decorations, quality of merchandise and food at the main market called the Striezelmarkt. There is also a Medieval market in Dresden.
2. Erfurt - great off the beaten track town with a lovely market. Terrific atmosphere with two churches on the hill behind it, good merchandise to buy, few tourists, families and a Ferris wheel.
3. Wertheim - charming small town market on the Rhine-Danube Canal, cozy feeling in a wine town famous for glass blowing and a ruined castle up above.
4. Alsace - best region for over the top cuteness, including cities like Strasbourg and Colmar to villages like Riquewihr and Kaysersberg.

Thanks to CWSocial for setting up the meeting and leading the discussion. It was good to see all.

I did a scrapbook that I entered in the RS contest for my Munich, Salzburg, Vienna tour last year and included a few Krampus pictures if you want to see him!

My biggest tip is to take a tote or grocery bag with you to the markets for carrying around purchases, mugs, and uneaten snacks. Mine is a nano bag and it is small enough to fit in a pocket if not in use. Very handy!

Thank you so much, CWsocial, for such a fun Zoom meeting this morning! And my compliments to you, also, for the way you managed the discussion. You covered a lot of topics.

I’m excited to hear that Dresden & Erfurt are recommended, CAjan! I have reservations at both - 3 nights & 1 night.

I mentioned that I would put together my packing list on the forum specifically for Christmas Market trips, and I posted it this evening. Everyone has their own ideas. This is just what worked well to bring back a lot & still be able to be nimble on the trains.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-light-for-a-christmas-markets-trip

I'm always tickled, as a religions scholar, when Erfurt is called out-of-the-way or off-the-beaten-track.

Don't forget we are two weeks away from the anniversary, on July 26th, of everyone's favorite convention of nobles, there in Erfurt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erfurt_latrine_disaster