Nothing captures the spirit of Christmas quite like a typical European Christmas market. The German ones are world famous for copious amounts of Glühwein, preferably drunk from a quirky souvenir mug, bratwurst, lebkuchen and roving entertainers to inject an appropriate atmosphere of hearty good cheer. There will also be lots of charmingly crafted goodies, just perfect for a spot of early (or last minute) Christmas shopping. Of course, you shouldn't forget about the associated pageantry tied in with centuries of folklore and ritual, incorporating events such as a spirited Krampus run through the crowded streets. But there are also fabulous markets in neighboring countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, France or even Romania. For real enthusiasts, there are tour packages that lets you experience the Christmas markets in different cities. But if you want to get crowd-sourced opinions from people on the ground, this Facebook group represents a brilliant resource for asking questions, sharing tips or just posting your personal impressions. What's great is the sheer diversity of locations. Germany alone has around 3,000 Christmas markets, and it's great that lesser known venues also get some love for their show of Christmas spirit. As an initiative of Vacations by Design, there are some great travel deals exclusively available to group members. What are you waiting for? Join the adventure of a once-a-year treasure hunt.
Members: 554.8k, at the time of writing
Trigger Warnings: None.
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Edit: At the time of writing this post, I had not yet seen the news of the tragic events in Magdeburg. With this, I wish to add my shock and sadness, as well as heartfelt condolences to the friends and family members of those who died in the attack.
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