CHRISTMAS MARKETS OF GERMANY’S HISTORIC CITIES USHER IN THE HOLIDAYS

 

WITH SAVORY TREATS, NATIVITY SCENES, LOCAL HANDICRAFTS AND CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

        Augsburg, Germany, September 2008 -- Old World holiday traditions come to life as the 14 members of Historic Highlights of Germany capture the best of the holiday season with a portfolio of Christmas markets epitomizing the very best of the season.  From late November until Christmas, the markets fill with the sounds of musicians and the aromas of mulled wine, German sausages, gingerbread and roasting chestnuts – amid hundreds of booths in each city evoking the holiday season.  Travelers will find nativity scenes, fancifully decorated Christmas trees, carolers singing yuletide carols and hymns, and local craftsmen displaying ceramics, candles, wooden toys, pewter and pottery.

        New events for 2008 include Augsburg’s fairy tale street, depicting “The Nutcracker” in 10 intricately decorated shop windows; Würzburg’s medieval Christmas Market, complete with jousting knights and a nativity scene from the 14th century within the walls of the Marienberg Fortress; and Koblenz’s Christmas Market’s expansion into the Liebfrauenkirche and Münzplatz area, offering special family attractions such as a toboggan run, nostalgic carriage rides and a merry-go-round.  Other cities -- Münster, Heidelberg, Osnabrück and Rostock – feature activities for children including amusement park rides, ice-skating and games. 

        Perennial crowd pleasers include the Christmas Markets of Erfurt, where public tours are guided by Father or Mother Christmas, St. Nicholas or a Christmas angel; a hand-carved nativity crib with life-sized figures in Mainz; and Osnabrück’s 19-foot nutcracker and a music box, thought to be the largest in the world, that plays 25 Christmas songs.  Regional arts and crafts are showcased in Freiburg -- including a candle workshop on Franziskanerstrasse; and Potsdam, whose Sternenmarkt (“Star Market”) includes handicrafts from both Germany and its Polish neighbors to the east.  Two markets are even set in royal courtyards: in Regensburg with appearances by Her Highness Gloria of Thurn und Taxis, who reads a Christmas tale; and in Wiesbaden, where a robust selection of arts and crafts mixes with culinary treats and toy-train rides for children.    

        Additional information on each city’s offerings and highlights may be found at www.historicgermany.com .  Historic Highlights of Germany is a tourism consortium consisting of Augsburg, Erfurt, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Mainz, Münster, Osnabrück, Potsdam, Regensburg, Rostock, Trier, Wiesbaden and Würzburg - cities rich in history and cultural.  Contact Historic Highlights of Germany at info@historicgermany.com or visit www.historicgermany.com.

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