Anonymous
Post 01/17/2025 08:22     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.


Agreed. I’m the 18:41 poster who went this year. The only market that we went to that felt hallmarkish was this tiny town in Austria we visited only because I wanted to see a very specific thing (and no not Hallstatt). The rest of them, ugh.

Every other stand is a Gluhwein stand. And if it’s not a gluhwein stand, it’s a sausage stand. Lots of made in china stuff, but I did find some handmade items. You have to know what you’re looking for. Some of the true made in Germany stuff can easily be purchased at like a Homegoods (the German smokers and some of the wooden decorations and ornaments). You can get it cheaper at homegoods plus you don’t have to worry about getting it home.

The crowds are unbearable and I don’t mind crowds, but you literally could not move.

The weather is also really crummy….its a cold, wet mess. You likely will not get snow. In two weeks, the sun came out twice.


Uh, gluhwein is amazing. What’s the problem here?
Anonymous
Post 01/17/2025 07:33     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Tromsø Norway - whale watching, dog sledding, northern lights
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 19:06     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.


Agreed. I’m the 18:41 poster who went this year. The only market that we went to that felt hallmarkish was this tiny town in Austria we visited only because I wanted to see a very specific thing (and no not Hallstatt). The rest of them, ugh.

Every other stand is a Gluhwein stand. And if it’s not a gluhwein stand, it’s a sausage stand. Lots of made in china stuff, but I did find some handmade items. You have to know what you’re looking for. Some of the true made in Germany stuff can easily be purchased at like a Homegoods (the German smokers and some of the wooden decorations and ornaments). You can get it cheaper at homegoods plus you don’t have to worry about getting it home.

The crowds are unbearable and I don’t mind crowds, but you literally could not move.

The weather is also really crummy….its a cold, wet mess. You likely will not get snow. In two weeks, the sun came out twice.


This is true of almost everything souvenir-ish. You can either buy it in the US or find it online and have it shipped to you. So just don't bother to travel. You can see all of it from still photos and webcams.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 19:00     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:That's easy -- Austria or Germany for Christmas Markets.


+1 Salzburg was awesome
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 18:51     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.


Agreed. I’m the 18:41 poster who went this year. The only market that we went to that felt hallmarkish was this tiny town in Austria we visited only because I wanted to see a very specific thing (and no not Hallstatt). The rest of them, ugh.

Every other stand is a Gluhwein stand. And if it’s not a gluhwein stand, it’s a sausage stand. Lots of made in china stuff, but I did find some handmade items. You have to know what you’re looking for. Some of the true made in Germany stuff can easily be purchased at like a Homegoods (the German smokers and some of the wooden decorations and ornaments). You can get it cheaper at homegoods plus you don’t have to worry about getting it home.

The crowds are unbearable and I don’t mind crowds, but you literally could not move.

The weather is also really crummy….its a cold, wet mess. You likely will not get snow. In two weeks, the sun came out twice.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 18:41     Subject: Re:Most magical place in Europe (early December)
I went this year in December to Christmas markets in Europe plus sightseeing. Germany, Austria, France Alsace region and Switzerland.

The Chrismas markets are not magical and they’re a bit overrated and I say this as someone who was so excited to go. Think huge crowds - to the point where you literally cannot move or even go look at a booth to see what they’re selling. You only move when the crowd moves. It’s just not fun.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 18:18     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 18:05     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Vienna
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 17:30     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I did Prague and Vienna this year, both great.


What did you do to them?


I unleashed an unprecedented Hell of eating, drinking, shopping, and waltzing.


I doubt it.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 17:29     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I did Prague and Vienna this year, both great.


What did you do to them?


I really hate this "I did insert-place-name" thing.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 15:59     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I did Prague and Vienna this year, both great.


What did you do to them?


I unleashed an unprecedented Hell of eating, drinking, shopping, and waltzing.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 15:56     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:I did Prague and Vienna this year, both great.


What did you do to them?
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 15:49     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
I did Prague and Vienna this year, both great.
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 15:40     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the appeals of Christmas markets. You like packed, overrun shopping full of Chinese trinkets?


Thus was our experience at Tuileries Christmas market in Paris! It’s like a cheap and seedy crowded state fair.

But the smaller markets are charming!
Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 15:15     Subject: Most magical place in Europe (early December)
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the appeals of Christmas markets. You like packed, overrun shopping full of Chinese trinkets?


If you feel that way, then you aren't going to understand it. You might as well stop trying.


Not to worry, I have accepted your advice and have decided affirmatively I do not need to travel to Europe in the winter with the sole purpose of buying Knick knacks in cold, rainy weather.