There’s nothing more magical than the holiday season, and when it comes to holiday magic, nobody does it better than Germany. Big or small, every German city and town proudly presents its own Christmas Market, known locally as a Weihnachtsmarkt or a Christkindlmarkt. A tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages, the Christmas Market is a place full of colorful lights, wonderful food, arts, crafts and in some cases rides for the kids.
Aachen
Starting at the western end of the country, Aachen’s beautiful city centre becomes more beautiful when it’s all lit up. Set around the town’s medieval Cathedral and town hall, Aachen’s Christmas Village features the unforgettable culinary experience of the Aachen Printen, a special kind of gingerbread for which the city is known. There’s a carousel for kids and mulled wine for adults, and the paradise created by the lights, colors, festive sounds and Christmas smells will make folks of all ages feel like kids. Other culinary treats include potato fritters and a large variety of Christmas cakes and biscuits, including Domino Stones, Spekulatius and marzipan bread. Though Aachen is proud to supply the world with these tasty treats, they just taste better when sampled in this winter wonderland. Many Aachen hotels can put you right in the middle of the action.
Munich
Munich’s famous Marienplatz is where you can enjoy the same Bavarian Weihnachtsmarkt that locals have been enjoying since the 14th century. Drift back through the ages as you gaze up at the beautiful Frauenkirche. Then come back to the 21st century as you indulge in traditional Bavarian Christmas gifts, like wood carvings from Oberammergau, Lebkuchen (gingerbread) from Nuremberg and exquisite glassware from the Bavarian Forest. There are also bee’s wax candles, chimney sweeps made of plums and almonds and thousands of other treats for the eyes, nose and mouth. Don’t miss the Christmas Market concert, which is performed from the balcony of the town hall. If your Munich hotel is close enough, you may get to hear it without leaving your room. And don’t miss the Kripperlmarkt, which is one of the largest markets in Germany to specialise in cribs and other nativity accessories. If you’re travelling with the children, you can watch them being transformed into angels with gossamer wings and shimmering gowns in the “Heavenly Workshop.”
Dresden
The city of Baroque is also the city boasting Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Since 1434 the market, known here as the Striezelmarkt, has been supplying guests with the Hefestriezel, the Christmas cake that gave the festival its name. The cake is now known as Dresden Christstollen, and the market, located between the recently rebuilt Frauenkirche and the famous restaurant street of Münzgasse provides the perfect way to see this beautiful treasure of a city. Not only is Dresden’s Christmas market the oldest, but it also boasts the spectacle of the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid, which measures 14 metres tall. The market gives you a chance to experience German history as they play, as the traditional toys at the market still come from the same Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) that they’ve come from for centuries. They can enjoy their toys in one of Dresden’s many family-friendly hotels.
Rüdesheim am Rhein
Perched high over the timeless River Rhein, the Hessian town of Rüdesheim am Rhein provides a journey into the past all year around. But never as beautiful as during the town’s Christmas Market. The entire romantic old quarter comes to life as the Drosselgasse features 120 stalls presenting an international Christmas from 12 countries. In fact, the life-sized Nativity figures located on the market square make up the largest Nativity scene in Europe. Not that you’ll need any help staying up for the market, but just in case, be sure to try the famous Rüdesheim Coffee, made with locally distilled Asbach Uralt Brandy, whipped cream and traditionally served in an authentic Rüdesheim Coffee Set. This local brandy can also be found inside the town’s delicious chocolates. Many of Rüdesheim am Rhein’s hotels provide easy access to the market.
Berlin
It’s no surprise that Germany’s capital city would provide a wide variety of Christmas Markets, ranging from lively and urban to peaceful and petite. With 60 different Berlin Christmas Markets, you could spend the whole holiday season and never see them all. Head to the Weihnachtsmarkt at Charlottenburg Castle for historical carriage rides and Christmas displays both inside and outside this historical gem, which seeks to replicate the 19th century Biedermeier Period. Then head to the Gendarmenmarkt, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, to experience the most traditional celebration, complete with scrumptious treats and fairy lights. For a more modern version, head to the more modern Potsdamerplatz, where Christmas is celebrated on the Sony Centre’s 4,000 square metre event area. Here you’ll find the Legoland Discovery Centre and Winterwelt, which features Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run! Of course with Berlin’s hundreds of hotels, there’s sure to be one near the Christmas Market of your choice.
We all know the Cannes Film Festival, where beautiful young starlets pose for the Paparazzi on the Croisette. And perhaps we’ve heard of the Berlin Film Festival with its prize bear and the Venice Film Festival with its golden lion. But it’s already October, and these festivals have come and gone. But did you know that there are dozens of other film festivals throughout Europe? So many that if you’re traveling between now and the end of the year, there’s still a chance to catch at least one of these fun events.
Viennale. Vienna, Austria.
October 21 – November 3
Austria’s most important international film event,the Viennale is also one of the oldest in the German-speaking world, attracting over 90,000 visitors. So be sure to book your Vienna hotel room early. It’s a young crowd, and the festival is known to attract more challenging films than your typical Hollywood fare. Films are shown from all over the world, and in many cases, it’s their first international screening. Though every genre is represented, from short films to experimental films to feature films, the festival pays particular attention to documentary films. The buzz this year is on “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a film by the Banksy, the mysterious English street artist.
Mezipatra. Brno and Prague, Czech Republic.
November 4 – November 9 (Brno)
November 11 – November 16 (Prague)
There are many gay and lesbian film festivals throughout Europe, and Mezipatra (which means mezzanine in Czech) is one of the most cutting edge. So popular it is now shown over two weeks in two cities, Mezipatra is organized by STUD Brno, a civic association of gays and lesbians. Last year’s festival featured 85 films, as well as 30 other events in Brno, Prague and Cesky Tesin. 10,500 viewers showed up, including ex-president Vaclav Havel himself, who participated in the festivities. 2010 promises to be just as large and just as exciting. In addition to the films there are many other fun activities, like the queer dance where you can experience salsa and Argentine Tango, among other Latin American dances. There are many hotels that can put you close to the action, whether you choose to attend in Brno, in Prague or both.
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Tallinn, Estonia.
November 19 – December 5
Heading north, Estonia certainly has its share of darkness in the middle of December, yet the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is a community oriented film festival, with an emphasis on the positive. For example, there are programs for student films, children’s films and animated films. As the website says, “The festival aims to present Estonian audiences a comprehensive selection of world cinema in all its diversity with the emphasis on European films, providing a friendly atmosphere for interaction between the audience, Estonian filmmakers and their colleagues from abroad.” To this end, the festival also includes workshops, as well as film and co-production markets. There’s even a competition for short films made with mobile phones. There are many Tallinn hotels that allow you to be a part of the fun.
Torino Film Festival. Torino, Italy.
November 26 – December 4
A classy town like Torino really knows how to do it up. Case in point: The opening night of the Torino Film Festival will be in the spectacular Teatro Regio. This is the festival that opened last year with the John Lennon biopic “Nowhere Boy,” and the festival has also awarded prizes to the debut works of Tsai Ming-liang, David Gordon Green, Chen Kaige and Lisandro Alonso. Sixteen new features by 16 new directors will be competing this year, representing a variety of genres, countries and languages. There will also be documentaries. To demonstrate the blend of mainstream and off-the-beaten path sensibilities, last years winners ranged from prizes for Chilean actress Catalina Saavedra to prizes for Robert Duvall and Bill Murray. And of course, a classy town like Torino also has its share of classy hotels.
International Thessaloniki Film Festival. Thessaloniki, Greece.
December 3rd – December 12th
Thessaloniki is proud to be hosting its 51stInternational Film Festival. Held every year in November, the country’s largest celebration of cinema is moving to December for 2010. This ten-day festival puts its emphasis on cutting-edge filmmaking, featuring films both from around the globe and from the surrounding Balkan region. There are also special guests, tributes and retrospectives of great directors ranging from Akira Kurosawa to John Cassavetes to Wim Wenders and Oliver Stone. The festival also provides the opportunity to get interactive, with master classes and round table discussions, providing a unique view of filmmaking from the inside. While you’re there, you may as well explore the rest of the beautiful city of Thessaloniki, best done from one of its many hotels.
Watching Hollywood movies, you would think that every window in Paris had a perfectly centered view of the Eiffel Tower. Those of us who have been to the City of Light know that this is not usually the case. But if you do your research ahead of time, those Hollywood views can be within your reach, whether of the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben or even the Statue of Liberty. And sometimes for less money than you might expect. Here are a few rooms with a view.
London: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Right across the mighty River Thames from the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the brand-new Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel offers spectacular views of Big Ben, Westminster Bridge and the whole river. This five-star hotel is also set right near the London Eye, which is another great place for London views. Five hundred metres from the hotel is London Waterloo Station, so it’s easy to get to all those parts of the city not within easy walking distance. This modern hotel also has a 15 metre swimming pool, a sauna, a steam bath and a spa, as well as traditional afternoon teas in its 1WB Lounge and entertainment at night in its Primo Bar.
Granada: The Alhambra
The Spanish say, “Si mueres sin ver la Alhambra, no has vivido,” which means, “If you die without seeing the Alhambra, you have not lived.” You’ll see why when you look out the window of your room in the three-star El Ladrón De Agua Hotel. Set in a historical 16th century building with roof beams, marble floors and stained glass windows, El Ladrón De Agua also offers relaxation in a hammam and traditional Andalusian cuisine in the traditional Andalusian courtyard. The narrow medieval streets and walkways of the Albaicín, the only Moorish neighborhood to survive the 1492 conquest of Christian royals Ferdinand and Isabella are in one direction and the magnificent Alhambra itself is in the other.
Córdoba: The Mezquita
The two-star Hotel Marisa proves that you don’t have to spend and arm and a leg to sleep next to one of the wonders of the world. Located directly opposite the stunning Mosque (now a Cathedral) known simply as the Mezquita, the Marisa is also a five minute walk from the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, where Ferdinand and Isabella made arrangements with a sailor named Columbus for a little west-bound trip he wanted to make. The Archeological Museum and the ancient Roman bridge are also nearby, as are the many other historical treasures of the historical neighborhood known as the Judería.
Berlin: the Brandenburg Gate
Sometimes the hotel you stay in is nearly as historical as the site it overlooks. This is the case with the five-star Hotel Adlon Kempinski, which has been greeting world leaders and other dignitaries to the German capital even when it wasn’t the German capital. Set on Berlin’s main Unter den Linden, the hotel offers wonderful views of the Gate, as well as some excellent people-watching. The hotel’s gourmet restaurant Lorenz Adlon is Michelin star rated, the Adlon Day Spa offers all the pampering you could desire, and Berlin’s other main attractions, from the Museum Island to the Reichstag are within easy walking distance.
New York: The Statue of Liberty
Not only does the Ritz-Carlton New York Battery Park Hotel offer unparalleled views of the famous statue and New York Harbor, but it is also the hotel closest to the ferry that will take you there and to Ellis Island. This modern five-star hotel allows you to stroll through Battery Park in just moments. Wall Street and Trinity Church are just beyond, and City Hall Park, the Woolworth Building and the Brooklyn Bridge are just beyond that. Staying in allows you to relax at the Carita Paris Spa, and you can also dine at the hotel’s 2West American bistro.
Rio de Janeiro: Corcovado
With the enormous statue of Christ the Redeemer, perched atop the mountain known as Corcovado and looming over the city, you would think that every window within miles would offer a view. You would be wrong. But the four-star Premier Copacabana Hotel‘s view of Corcovado is extra special, as it can be enjoyed while sipping drinks on the rooftop pool terrace. The hotel is set just 500 metres from lively Copacabana Beach, and the rest of the city is also easy to reach with the Metro that stops right near the hotel. With a city as exciting as Rio, chances are you won’t get to use your air-conditioned room’s 32 inch flat-screen TV, but the lobby bar and the winter garden are two nice places to unwind between adventures.
Sydney: The Sydney Opera House
The five-star Park Hyatt Sydney Hotel offers views of one landmark (the Opera House) while nestled right next to another (the Sydney Harbour Bridge). Both landmarks can be enjoyed from the rooftop Iluka Spa, and when the sun goes down and the lights come up, you can experience the twinkling beauty of the entire harbour. The harbourkitchen&bar offers a cool sea breeze through folding floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Little Kitchen provides the experience of a High Tea. If you’re a whiskey aficionado, you’ll be happy to know that the Club Bar has been awarded “Best Whisky List in Australia,” and they also offer cognac and fine wines in mahogany surroundings with an open fire place.
Paris: The Eiffel Tower
Which brings us back to Paris and that famous tower designed by Mr. Eiffel. The Mercure Paris Suffren Tour Eiffel is the best place to get that Hollywood view, as it’s set not far from the base of said tower. Also nearby are the Trocadero, the River Seine, and many boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and museums. Staying in you can enjoy the terraced Les Aromes piano bar and the gourmet Harmonie Restaurant, both overlooking a leafy green garden. And when you get to the top of the Eiffel Tower, be sure to point your camera downwards so you can get a good shot of your Paris hotel.
With 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Germany ties France for third most in Europe (Spain has 41 and Italy has 44). This means that you could spend weeks touring all of them. Here are five great ones to start with.
Cologne Cathedral
One of Cologne's famous twin towers.
Arguably one of the world’s most recognizable buildings, let alone churches, Cologne Cathedral was a long time coming. The first stone was laid in 1248, and the last in 1880, making it a mere 632 year construction job. It was worth it, even if the Cathedral’s reign as tallest building in the world only lasted four years, when it was replaced by the Washington Monument. Still boasting the second and third highest church spires in the world (after Ulm Minster), its awesome 157 metre height still provides wonderful views of Cologne and makes the climb to the top totally worth it. In fact, 30,000 people make the climb every day. Since the Cathedral is in the city centre and close to the railway station, there are many nearby Cologne hotels in which to stay.
Aachen Cathedral
Much older than Cologne Cathedral and much smaller, Aachen Cathedral, often referred to as the Imperial Cathedral, has played a much larger role in the history of Germany. The oldest Cathedral in northern Europe, Aachen Cathedral’s Chapel was where 30 German kings and 12 German queens were coronated between 936 and 1531. The most famous “resident” of the Cathedral is Charlemagne himself, who was buried there in 814. Legend has it that when his tomb was opened in 1000, “He did not lie, as the dead otherwise do, but sat as if he were living.” There are many Aachen hotels set in the old city around the Cathedral.
Hanseatic City of Lübeck
One of the closest things to time travel is a trip to Lübeck, which for several centuries was the capital of the Hanseatic League. Many of the medieval buildings still remain in the city centre of what is still the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein. You can enter the Old City through the last two remaining city gates, the 1478 Holstentor and the 1444 Burgtor. Now you’re ready to wander the ancient streets of the town centre which is dominated by seven church steeples, including the Lübecker Dom and the Marienkirche, both of which date from the 13th and 14th centuries. Be sure to also check out the Lübecker Rathaus (Town Hall), Church of St. Lawrence and the houses of Thomas Mann and Günter Grass. Many Lübeck hotels are located either in or around the Old City as well.
Museum Island (Museumsinsel), Berlin
A reflection of the Cathedral on Museum Island.
Set in the former East Berlin, the famous Museum Island alone can take days to explore. Surrounded by the River Spree, this is where you’ll find a complex of five important museums, as well as the Berlin Cathedral. The Altes Museum (Old Museum) dates back to 1830, while the Neues Museum (New Museum) was completed in 1859, destroyed in World War II and was rebuilt in 2009. The 1876 Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) hosts a collection of 19th century art, and the 1904 Bode Museum has a sculpture collection and late Antique and Byzantine art. The 1930 Pergamon Museum, displays reconstructed international historical buildings like the Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon. As the island is in the central Mitte section of the city, there are many Berlin hotels within easy walking distance.
Majestically perched on a 410 metre precipice above the town of Eisenach, this Thuringian gem of a castle was first laid out back in 1067. Between 1952 and 1966 the East German government restored the castle to its 16th century appearance, returning it to its former glory. So now you can explore the Luther Room with its original floor and paneled walls, as well as the Great Hall, the Hall of the Minstrels and the half-timbered Knights’ House on the side of the drawbridge. The castle gate at the end of the draw bridge remains the only way to get in and out of the castle. Most Eisenach hotels give you a pretty good view of the castle.
Beer halls, bratwurst, lederhosen—these may be the first things you think of when you plan a trip to Germany. However, while the country prides itself on its celebratory air, it also offers visitors a wealth of serious landmarks. In particular, fantastic art museums may be found in each major city. Here is a brief introduction to some of the very best:
No trip to Berlin would be complete without a visit to this institution. It is actually a collection of seventeen museums, divided into five clusters in the city centre. Some of the most popular include the Pergamon Museum and the Museum of Prints and Drawings. The first is known for its religious artifacts, while the second honors everyone from Sandro Botticelli to Andy Warhol.
This Berlin-centric art gallery is housed within a Modernist structure that was once a glass warehouse. It focuses on German masters like Max Libermann and members of the Berlin Secessionist and Expressionist movement. Enjoy traditional art forms and multimedia installations. What’s more, the gallery’s central location places it near many popular hotels in Berlin (like the Holiday Inn Express Berlin City Centre and the Park Inn Berlin-Alexanderplatz.)
Fans of surrealism should not miss the opportunity to visit this museum. Not only does it house Wolfgang Lettl’s most famous works, but it also welcomes pieces by other masters—like Gertraud Dinzinger’s evocative statue, “Der Kandidat.” Before you go, browse nearby hotels in Augsburg.
The primary arts collection of North Rhine-Westphalia includes sculptures, installations, drawings and photographs. The K20 collection shows off classical modern art and is an especially popular attraction. Don’t miss the amazing pieces by Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock on display.
This is where you will find one of the most comprehensive collections of 20th century and contemporary art. Famous pieces on display include Brillo Boxes by Andy Warhol, Maybe by Roy Lichtenstein, and literally hundreds of iconic paintings by Pablo Picasso. Among the many nearby hotels in Cologne are the Star am Dom and the Hotel Santo.
One of the country’s largest collectors of 19th- and 20th-century art, this museum is home to a number of important pieces. They include Porträt des Armand Roulin by Vincent van Gogh, Lise mit Schirm by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Faure als Hamlet by Edouard Manet. The museum also enjoys a partnership with the Deutsche Plakat Museum. And, of course, you know where to go to find fabulous hotels in Essen!
From beatnik to tribal, and traditional to just plain eccentric, thousands of people march to the beat of their own drums in the Carnival of Cultures in Berlin each year. The idea behind the Carnival stems from Berlin’s extremely diverse population. (More than 450,000 of Berlin’s 3.4 million residents have a non-German citizenship, resulting in a plethora of mixed cultural and social backgrounds in Berlin!)
What a better way to learn and appreciate these cultures than a four-day street festival?
More than 1.47 million people celebrated at the parade in 2009, and it is expected to grow even more in 2010. With large numbers of young people celebrating the Carnival too, it is a perfect event for all ages.
If you will be in the Berlin area from May 21-24, it would be worth your while to check out the Carnival. Find a great hotel in your budget and proximity, and let the good times march on at the Carnival in 2010!
There’s nothing more magical than the holiday season, and when it comes to holiday magic, nobody does it better than Germany. Big or small, every German city and town proudly presents its own Christmas Market, known locally as a Weihnachtsmarkt or a Christkindlmarkt. A tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages, the Christmas Market is a place full of colorful lights, wonderful food, arts, crafts and in some cases rides for the kids.
Munich’s famous Marienplatz is where you can enjoy the same Bavarian Weihnachtsmarkt that locals have been enjoying since the 14th century. Drift back through the ages as you gaze up at the beautiful Frauenkirche. Then come back to the 21st century as you indulge in traditional Bavarian Christmas gifts, like wood carvings from Oberammergau, Lebkuchen (gingerbread) from Nuremberg and exquisite glassware from the Bavarian Forest. There are also bee’s wax candles, chimney sweeps made of plums and almonds and thousands of other treats for the eyes, nose and mouth. Don’t miss the Christmas Market concert, which is performed from the balcony of the town hall. If your Munich hotel is close enough, you may get to hear it without leaving your room. And don’t miss the Kripperlmarkt, which is one of the largest markets in Germany to specialise in cribs and other nativity accessories. If you’re travelling with the children, you can watch them being transformed into angels with gossamer wings and shimmering gowns in the “Heavenly Workshop.”
The city of Baroque is also the city boasting Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Since 1434 the market, known here as the Striezelmarkt, has been supplying guests with the Hefestriezel, the Christmas cake that gave the festival its name. The cake is now known as Dresden Christstollen, and the market, located between the recently rebuilt Frauenkirche and the famous restaurant street of Münzgasse provides the perfect way to see this beautiful treasure of a city. Not only is Dresden’s Christmas market the oldest, but it also boasts the spectacle of the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid, which measures 14 metres tall. The market gives you a chance to experience German history as they play, as the traditional toys at the market still come from the same Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) that they’ve come from for centuries. They can enjoy their toys in one of Dresden’s many family-friendly hotels.
It’s no surprise that Germany’s capital city would provide a wide variety of Christmas Markets, ranging from lively and urban to peaceful and petite. With 60 different Berlin Christmas Markets, you could spend the whole holiday season and never see them all. Head to the Weihnachtsmarkt at Charlottenburg Castle for historical carriage rides and Christmas displays both inside and outside this historical gem, which seeks to replicate the 19th century Biedermeier Period. Then head to the Gendarmenmarkt, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares, to experience the most traditional celebration, complete with scrumptious treats and fairy lights. For a more modern version, head to the more modern Potsdamerplatz, where Christmas is celebrated on the Sony Centre’s 4,000 square metre event area. Here you’ll find the Legoland Discovery Centre and Winterwelt, which features Europe’s largest mobile toboggan run! Of course with Berlin’s hundreds of hotels, there’s sure to be one near the Christmas Market of your choice.
From beatnik to tribal, and traditional to just plain eccentric, thousands of people march to the beat of their own drums in the 