Christmas Market Magic....Rothenburg on the Romantic Road

Walking through the city walls into the medieval town of Rothenburg

 on Germany's "Romantic Road" is like stepping back in time to the 11th Century. 

Beautifully preserved buildings and cobblestoned alleys draw you in to discover 

amazing architecture, meticulously carved statues and the most gorgeous 

Christmas decorations imaginable.

This is literally the place of fairy tales, enchanting visitors, young and old.

The Christmas market stalls selling hand crafted gifts and decorations.

Fairy lights twinkling on real Christmas Trees lining the cobblestoned streets.

Homes and store fronts charmingly decorated, the smells of 

Christmas Spices perfume the air.

The Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Museum and store is captivating

so many special decorations and a true visual delight. 

Rothenburg has been the most enchanting Christmas Market of all, the magical fairytale setting 

hard to beat. The atmosphere of the old town, decorations and market captivating. 

Even on a chilly Winter day it warmed our souls and it was hard to walk to the other

side of the city walls and leave the medieval town behind.

Christmas Market Magic.... Mainz

It is impossible not to be enchanted by the Christmas Market in Mainz.

The square festooned with thousands of twinkling fairy lights with the 

magnificent backdrop of the Cathedral of Saint Martin, 

which has watched over Mainz for over 1000 years.

So festive walking the cobblestone streets, browsing the wooden stalls selling Christmas gifts, 

decorations, food and gluhwein.

When darkness fell the market was spellbinding. The lights and decorations, transforming the 

already magical scene into one of fairytale proportions.

Enjoy a little of my beautiful visit to the Christmas Market in Mainz!

Heidelberg Christmas Market ...and 5 tips on driving in Germany

It is wonderful to have the opportunity to live in Germany at Christmas time. 

So many Christmas Markets to discover and enjoy. 

Heidelberg is perfect for a day trip from Frankfurt and lovely any time of the year. 

The university town is magical with the Christmas Market in full swing, the 

Heidelberg Castle as a stunning backdrop.

Tourists from all over the world come to Germany to experience the magic of
The Christmas Markets, driving all over the country to experience as many as possible.

In our nearly two years living in Germany, we have covered many kilometres, 

spent hours on the road and have learnt a few lessons on the road etiquette.

Here are our top 5 tips!

1. Autobahn = unlimited speed limit! Mostly, but beware... roadworks and traffic can reduce the limit. we have had more speeding fines in 2 years in Germany than in our entire driving lives, which is quite a few years!

2. Make use of rest stops. That drive that your GPS tells you will take two hours...due to aforementioned roadworks and traffic...may take four hours crawling along. Our drive to Berlin took five hours, same drive home to Frankfurt took nine hours..and we still managed a speeding ticket!

3. Make sure you have change for the rest stops. It will cost you to spend a penny...70c in fact! You put the coins in a slot at a turnstile to get in. You get a 50c voucher to get a discount in the shop though. Bonus is the toilets are always clean.

4. Watch out for trucks, they will pull out in front of you without warning. Sunday is a great day to drive, trucks are not allowed on the road in Germany without special permit.

5. Germans love to tailgate, sorry my German friend's, but it is true. If you can, change lanes to let them pass...if you can't...just don't look in your rear view mirror.

Bonus Tip...it is against the law in Germany to run out of fuel on an Autobahn....

Now, after your lesson on driving in Germany...enjoy a little stroll around the beautiful
Heidelberg Christmas Market.

The Flammkuchen is a favourite German food of mine, thin crispy base, topped with creme fraiche, 

onions and speck...delicious and best enjoyed with a warming Gluhwein...in local cup of course.

Lebkuchen/Gingerbread biscuits, decorated and found most traditionally as hearts but 

you will find snowmen, Santas and lots more are a staple of most German Markets.

The Kartoffelpuffer.. a type of potato pancake, served with apple sauce is another 

yummy, must try Christmas Market food.

You can always take home some tasty liqueurs as gifts!

Christmas Magic at Hever Castle in Kent

We have just spent a week in England, spending time with friends and family 

for the last time before heading home to Australia in January.

Emotional times as we have no idea when and where we will all meet up again.

Time was spent making precious memories.

We spent a fabulous day out at Hever Castle in Kent, an original medieval castle built in 1270.

In the 15th and 16th centuries it was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, 

King Henry VIII's second wife.

It is lovely to walk around the beautiful, sprawling gardens, the chilly, grey day 

did nothing to dampen the beauty.

The castle itself is stunningly beautiful, log fires bringing atmosphere and warmth. 

The history is interesting...if only the walls could talk.

No photos are allowed inside the castle so you will have to take my word for it.

The castle was decorated for Christmas, with countless twinkling Christmas trees throughout.

The garden was magical with fairy lights leading the way to fairy gardens. 

Along the trail we discovered stars which told us how Christmas is celebrated in different countries around the world. Was interesting learning about other cultures traditions and beliefs.

Mmm..shame that we don't actually get paid in Germany!

Christmas stories from all around the world are told as you follow the trail.

I never knew that Babuska from Russia hosted the three wise men!

Glad I have never come across Krampus...I must be good!

I love having a real tree in Germany, the home of the Christmas Tree, 

though we like to enjoy it for as long as possible and usually put it up on 1 December!

Our visit to Hever Castle, turned into a magical festive delight on top of being an interesting 

historical castle...and happy memories were made!