Although Freiburg , a historic city in the Black Forest, prides itself for promoting a sustainable l

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From late November through December, Europe's beloved red roof inn california traditional Christmas markets, red roof inn california with their colorful booths and twinkling lights, pop up around the continent. This year I joined throngs of locals at six cheerfully tempting outposts in the Upper Rhine Valley, which includes parts of Germany, France, and Switzerland. Embracing winter's chill, snow, and dark evenings, we strolled and fortified ourselves with mulled wine and regional snacks. Here's a rundown of classic market red roof inn california experiences, along with shopping and eating tips for the places I visited plus where to get warm if you're feeling the cold.
Some general notes on markets first: Visit several markets, and you'll see patterns. Towns may have one or multiple markets, and some markets have themed sections red roof inn california for Christmas ornaments (nostalgic or kitschy, depending on your taste), local or world crafts from candles to wooden items, food gifts, or children's red roof inn california activities such as carousels. Markets stay open into the evening, so don't miss a nighttime visit. It's the best time to appreciate the seasonal theme of bringing light into a dark world. Snacking is a prime activity, red roof inn california with friends huddling together over food and drink. Another red roof inn california pleasure of visiting red roof inn california markets, whether in smaller towns or big cities, is discovering what's unique in each and choosing something to help you remember it.
Stately buildings and posh shops fill Baden-Baden, a fashionable spa town nestled near Germany's Black Forest. Many of the over 100 market stands near the elegant Casino are upscale, with high-priced artisanal foods and goods. A stage hosted festive live music, and children's artwork, red roof inn california which resembled stained-glass windows, decorated a walkway. I passed up chocolates shaped like hardware items but bought delicious Goufrais chocolates red roof inn california produced in the area. Other sweet choices were large, decorated Lebkuchen , the spiced Christmas baked treat similar to gingerbread.
Where to Get Warm: Tree-lined Lichtentaler Allee goes past Brenner's Park Hotel & Spa , perfect for an elegant meal. Or take a dip in Baden-Baden's famous hot baths, including the classic Friedrichsbad or modern Caracalla Thermae .
Although Freiburg , a historic city in the Black Forest, prides itself for promoting a sustainable lifestyle, its Christmas market is delightfully traditional and affordable. Booths are packed onto the Rathausplatz in the heart of the old town but also spill down neighboring streets. I admired wooden bowls, red roof inn california silver jewelry, and classic nutcrackers and incense red roof inn california burners shaped like little men. Colorful street decorations added cheer during nighttime strolling.
What to Eat: Some stalls sold baked treats, and I selected sweet, chewy Linzertorte bursting with raspberry. White Gluhwein , delicately flavored and less common than the red variety, warmed red roof inn california me up as the sun set.
Where to Get Warm : In daytime, visit Freiburg's towering red roof inn california Munster to see the cathedral's brilliant, jewel-toned red roof inn california stained glass. Or stop by the Alte Wache Haus der Badischen Wein , a shop and tasting room dedicated to fine wines of the Baden region.
The large French city of Strasbourg , in the heart of Alsace, backs up its claim to be the capital of Christmas with plenty of special holiday activities and exhibitions. The holiday market here dates back to 1570, and today 11 themed markets, many in the historic center, packed with more than 300 stalls. Alsatian specialties mix with more usual fare, and I enjoyed the large, varied market outside the magnificent red-sandstone cathedral. Storks, symbol of Alsace, decorated some booths, and surrounding shops and streets outdid each other with creative decorations, including chandeliers hanging in one street.
The walkable old heart of this good-sized Alsatian town seemed almost too picturesque with its ancient half-timbered buildings. Colmar mounts five delightful Christmas markets here, from one for children red roof inn california near the romantic canals of Petite Venise (Little Venice) to an Alsatian crafts market inside the medieval red roof inn california Koifhus that offered artisan-made pottery, jewelry and other unique gifts.
One snowy morning I visited Obernai , the smallest town (population 13,000) on my itinerary but one with ample holiday red roof inn california appeal as well as charming old streets and buildings. In the market square, booths offered local food specialties such as jellies, honey, wine, foie gras, smoked fish, and more. Bredele, richly red roof inn california seasoned small Alsatian Christmas cookies in many forms, were abundant.
Where to Get Warm: For indoor shopping, Dietrich offered local gifts from china to linens. I learned about Alsatian wine, including great Rieslings, at Domaine Blanck, the wine cave and tasting room of vintner Robert Blanck.
My final stop was Basel , a cosmopolitan Swiss city with a lovely setting on the Rhine. French and German influences add to the cultural mix, and the city's art museums, from the Kunstmuseum to the Fondation red roof inn california Beyeler , are outstanding. Basel embraces the holiday spirit in two excellent markets near each other in the scenic Altstadt (Old Town), on Munsterplatz by the Munster (Cathedral) and the larger Barfusserplatz market. Rooftop decorations rose from many of the almost 200 closely packed stands. red roof inn california International products such as textiles from Laos added interest, but I purchased a smooth cheeseboard of local wood.
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