From hot mulled wine that is called gluhwein to roasted chestnuts, pretzels and fairy lights, the aroma of a Christmas market is the essence of Europe in December. And there is no better place than Germany or to be more precise Berlin to experience that.
During a December evening in Berlin’s Bebelplatz last year, the aroma of festive food and drink was in the air when I was in the German city. Soaking in the spirit of Yuletide while chestnuts roast by the open fire, the merry makers hold mulled wine – read gluhwein- glasses to cheer for the Christmas season.
The Christmas market last year at Bebelplatz was my first time at a Christmas market and as I walked the few blocks from my hotel on a chilling Berlin night, the excitement only rose.
This Christmas market here is usually located on a beautiful square, but due to construction work, it shifted to nearby Bebelplatz last year.
In a Christmas market, the attraction is usually food. So apart from the roasted almonds, chestnuts and gluhwein, one can explore many other culinary delights.
Another market I explored was in Berlin’s western centre, almost in the famous district of Kurfürstendamm where the city’s most popular shopping street runs from Breitscheidplatz to Halensee.
This has nearly a 100 stalls selling everything from toys, classic decorations and glass and bronze art objects to food and wine.
In Christmas markets in Europe you see happy faces all around.
So, this is the time to land in Europe and if you are looking to soak in the spirit of Christmas markets. You can start with Berlin.
IBNS-TWF