Blog Christmas Special

Long before christmas was about capitalism and spending money, it was simply about markets and gifts.

This week we went to several of Europe's finest christmas markets, each with their own unique atmosphere and setting.

In Cologne (or Köln in German) the market was at the base of the very impressive Cologne Cathedral, Germany's most visited attraction.

As seen from above early in the morning

Aachen's christmas market felt the most traditional, but was also really cool because of the giant gingerbread man.

The christmas market in Maastricht wins the prize for best ice-skating rink

The prize is awarded based on how many people we laughed at falling over.

Brussels was part of a wider Winter Festival which had a ferris wheel, a ski slope in the city and tobogganing. 

By the time we made it to Bruges, we hated everything about christmas so this is the only photo of the festivities.

Of course, what they all had in common was the great food and drink, such as oliebollen, bratwurst, champignons, chocolate chili, frites with mayo, reibekuchen (German latkas), hot chocolate with various liqueurs, and of course Gluhwein.

  

One thing we did find interesting was that nowhere did we see a man dressed as santa asking kids what they wanted for christmas. I guess its just an American thing.

But there were a few playing the accordion. See you next year Santa!