I went on a Christmas Market Cruise several years ago from Budapest to Prague and had an amazing time. One of the treats we enjoyed on the streets in Germany and Austria was Glühwein, which is a warm mulled and spiced wine. It’s a delightful beverage that will keep you warm on a cold winter’s day.
Its spicy aroma will instantly put you in a happy mood. You can also take it up a notch, by adding in a little rum or schnapps.
Enjoy this recipe!
Glühwein – Hot Mulled Wine
Ingredients
- 3 cups red wine
- 2 Tbsp sugar candy
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 2 orange slices
- 1 Tbsp rum
Instructions
- It’s best to use a glass heat resistant pan if possible or you can use a saucepan.
- Pour the wine into the pan and add all the other ingredients.
- Bring to a boil.
- Strain
- Fill up decorative heat resistant mugs and serve.
- Happy Holidays
European Christmas Markets
Christmas in Europe is gloriously festive, especially at its glittering Christmas Markets. There’s nothing as magical as walking among medieval buildings decorated and dressed up with lights for the holidays. Dozens of wooden huts stand in old town center squares filled with holiday ornaments, steaming hot food, sweets, and warm Glühwein. (traditional hot mulled wine) served in a cheery holiday mug.
Plan ahead to take a trip to the European Christmas Markets during the holidays in the future. Enjoy the tastes and smells of the cities that host them. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I loved every minute of it and delighted in all the culinary and sensory pleasures.
Our Christmas Market River Cruise on the Danube
One of the best vacations I’ve had in my life was when we took a trip to Poland for a conference. We wanted to make the most of our time in Europe so after our stay there, we flew to Budapest to take an AmaWaterways Christmas Market River Cruise that ended in Prague.
Highlights of our river cruise
Melk
One of our first stops was Melk Abbey in Austria founded in 1089. The current Baroque-style abbey, home to a Benedictine order, was completed in 1736.
Vienna
Vienna in itself is a stunning city even without sparkling holiday decorations. Christmas markets were interspersed throughout the main center of town, but we were taken to the largest one at the Rathausplatz. It had over 150 stalls with Christmas decorations, Glühwein, sausages, gingerbread, chocolate, gifts, and hot chestnuts.
Children, dressed in snowsuits, who had been doing artwork in the Rathausplatz, came out and enjoyed all the goodies at the Christmas market afterward.
The next day, we took a tour of the Schönbrunn Palace, a former imperial summer residence of the Habsburg monarchs. The market in front glowed with the Palace in the background.
I couldn’t help but taste some of the sausages at the market including the famous Vienna sausage.
And there were so many sweet goodies it took everything I had to resist!
All the Christmas Markets we visited in Eastern and Central Europe had its version of sausage made mostly of pork. I lovingly called our trip the “Pork Tour.” Granted, I’m of Jewish heritage, but our family has always been pretty lax when it came to dietary rules.
Salzburg
It’s hard to think of Salzburg without thinking of Christmas. It’s also where Mozart was born. We took an excursion there and our guide showed us the very old Chocolate shop called Furst. It’s the premier shop in Salzburg to buy “official” Mozart Chocolate. There are copycats. Mozart chocolate is considered the best chocolate in Austria and comes packaged in round balls. The “official” brand, and most expensive, comes in silver and blue packaging.
We peeked into the Festival Hall Complex, where the Von Trapp family escaped in the film “Sound of Music.” On our way back to our Ama Waterways River Boat, our guide told us all the “lies” about the film. The Von Trapps escaped from Austria before the war started. If they had actually “climbed the mountain,” they would have ended up in Germany. Also, contrary to what the song says, Schnitzel is never served with noodles. I still love the movie anyway.
I met the Von Trapp great-grandchildren several years ago. They sang together and we watched them perform. I thought they were just as wonderful as their grandparents.
For more photos of Austria click here
Regensburg
Our next Christmas market was at the perfectly preserved medieval village of Regensburg, Germany. Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known for its Christmas markets, but the most beautiful one was “The Romantic Christmas Market.” It was located in the courtyard of the beautiful Thurns and Taxi Palace and was steeped in atmosphere. Fire torches lined the path with little campfires to huddle around and colorful lighting. We enjoyed Bavarian treats, and music, and purchased unique holiday gifts.
The market featured a Biergarten and kids could pet adorable baby llamas.
One highlight of Regensburg is its 900-year-old sausage stand called the Wurstkuchl, the first fast-food restaurant in Europe.
Nürnberg
Nürnberg, also spelled “Nuremberg” is one of the world’s premier Christmas markets. It’s located in Hauptmarkt Square in Old Town. The Old Town is practically all reconstructed due to extensive damage during WWII, but you’d never know it. One thing that impressed me in cities like Nürnberg and Warsaw, which were heavily damaged during the war, is the attention to detail in restoring them to their former glory.
The original architecture and atmosphere have effectively been brought back to life. The Nürnberg Christmas market is huge, with over 200 vendors offering traditional wares, German Lebkuchen (gingerbread), bakery items, and other gifts. I ate the sausages, and sauerkraut and drank Glühwein with glee.
We purchased traditional ornaments made out of dried fruits called “Nürnberg plum people” which are famous in this market.
Prague
The last Christmas markets we visited were in Prague in the Czech Republic. Like Poland, it was once under Communist rule but is now a breathtakingly beautiful and free city. I love how the people there have reclaimed their heritage. When we arrived, Prague was fully decorated for the holidays. Our guide told us that despite the decorations, most people who live in Prague are agnostic. However, they have taken great care in preserving their cathedrals and religious symbols.
On the Charles Bridge, there’s a sculpture of a crucifix with Hebrew letters on it. A Jew, Elias Backoffen, had sneered at the statue and was made to pay for an inscription to be added to it that reads, “Holy, holy, holy Lord of the masses” in Hebrew letters. Unfortunately, most of the statues on the Charles Bridge are not originals.
The main Prague Christmas market in Wenceslas Square is near the Astronomical Clock. It was filled with decorated vendor stalls that featured decorations, bakery goods, yummy food, Czech glasswork, ceramics, and raffia designs.
I want to thank Ama Waterways for our remarkable Christmas Market river cruise from Budapest to Prague. River cruising is the way to go! And, a shout out to our cruise director Monika who was amazing!
Have you been on a Christmas Market River Cruise? Would you like to? Where would you want to go? Please leave a comment below.
Lovely! I’ve been to some of these places and they do magically transport you.
They sure do, Pennie! I want to go again someday, once it’s safe to travel again.
Ohmyword! This is the trip of my dreams! Perfect! Some day…
It’s an amazing trip. I loved it and I’m Jewish!