November 30th: A Festive Day in Nuremberg

Good morning from Nuremberg! After a restful night at the Park Plaza, we woke up ready to dive into all that this enchanting city has to offer. After a breakfast buffet at the hotel and adding a few layers to our outfits, we headed out to immerse ourselves in the festive atmosphere, starting with the famous Christkindlesmarkt and later joining a Christmas City Culinary Tour to sample Nuremberg’s holiday flavors.

Exploring the Old Town and Christkindlesmarkt

We began our day strolling through the Christkindlesmarkt, which was even more magical in the daylight. The market, set against the backdrop of Nuremberg’s stunning Hauptmarkt square and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), is a picture-perfect holiday scene. The stalls were brimming with handcrafted ornaments, wooden nutcrackers, and twinkling stars that made it hard to resist picking up souvenirs.

We went inside the beautiful Frauenkirche for an organ concert. The church is an example of brick Gothic architecture, it was built on the initiative of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor between 1352 and 1362. 

Frauenkirche

                            

And we also went into Sebalduskirche Nürnberg (St. Sebald Church), a Gothic-era, now-Lutheran church with stained glass windows, paintings & a hefty pipe organ. Construction of the church began in 1225!!! The Shrine of St. Sebaldus (containing his relics) near the alter was the masterpiece of Peter Vischer the Elder and his sons, 1508-19.

Sebalduskirche 

Shrine to St. Sebald

A Walk Through Nuremberg’s History

After soaking in the market, we took some time to explore the Old Town. Walking along the medieval walls and through the cobblestone streets, we marveled at the city’s rich history and beautifully preserved architecture. A quick stop at the iconic Kaiserburg Castle offered breathtaking views of the city below, and the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) added a touch of whimsy with its intricate gold details. 

 

   Siegessäule

The Siegessäule (Victory Column) is located at Köpfleinsberg and Adlerstrasse in the city centre of Nuremburg. This war memorial was created in 1875 to commemorate those from Nuremburg who died in the Franco-Prussian War of of 1870-71.

What you see is a slender Corinthian column made of red marble. It is topped by the bronze figure of Victory who is holding a crown in her left hand. Her right arm is raised while she grips a laurel in her right hand. You will also see a gilded shield with Nuremburg Coat of Arms.

The column stands on a pedestal with the engraved names of those lost in the Franco-Prussian War. Below the monument on the wall facing the square, there are plaques further commemorating the boxer uprising in China (1901) and the Colonial War in German South West Africa (1904-06).

 Beautiful scenes along the river

Look what we found at Travolta's 

Christmas City Culinary Tour

In the late afternoon, it was time for a highlight of the day: the Christmas City Culinary Tour. This guided experience took us on a delicious journey through Nuremberg’s culinary traditions, with stops at local spots we might have otherwise missed and stories we hadn't heard.

We started off with some hot apple cider in a Christmas Market mug. After walking through a different part of the Old City, we stopped by a stall at the Market The Nuremberg lebkuchen (gingerbread) was a standout—soft, spiced, and perfectly festive! Plain, covered with powder sugar or Chocolate.

We sampled hearty Nuremberg sausages paired with a freshly baked roll that was perfect for the chilly weather. Along the way, our guide shared fascinating stories about the city’s Christmas and city traditions and how they’ve evolved over centuries.

We were shown that there is a separate Children's Christmas market (with a beautiful Merry Go Round and a "Sister City" Market with booths from many of Nuremberg's sister cities around the world. 

The tour ended on a sweet note with more glühwein (mulled wine), this time a Honey Wine. Sipping the warm wine while surrounded by twinkling lights was the perfect way to wrap up a festive day in Nuremberg.

Wrapping Up the Day

As the sun set and the market’s lights glowed even brighter, we lingered for one last look before heading back to the hotel. Today was everything we hoped for—a mix of history, holiday cheer, and incredible food. Tomorrow, we will see the WWII Nuremberg during a tour and probably back through town and the markets.

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November 29th: Touching Down in Germany and the Magic of Nuremberg

 After a long but smooth overnight flight, we landed in Frankfurt, Germany, this morning! Stepping off the plane we were greeted by crisp, wintry air and the subtle excitement of finally being in Europe. 

 We had to take a bus from the plane into the bustling airport. With just a layover ahead, we grabbed a quick coffee and a bite to eat before making our way to our connecting flight to Nuremberg.

Duroc Bratwurst, Mashed Potatoes and Sauerkraut

The short hop from Frankfurt to Nuremberg felt like the final leg of a journey that had been months in the making. As the plane descended, we caught glimpses of the quaint Bavarian landscape below—a perfect welcome to the start of our Christmas adventure.

Once we arrived in Nuremberg, we headed straight to the Park Plaza Nuremberg, our cozy home for the next couple of days. Located just a stone's throw from the Old Town, the hotel immediately impressed us with its modern comfort and proximity to all the action. After a quick check-in and a chance to freshen up, it was time to hit the town!

A big group was checking in when we arrived

 

Our Room

 

Today is a special day in Nuremberg: the official opening of the famous Christkindlesmarkt, one of the oldest and most celebrated Christmas markets in the world. The opening ceremony begins at 5 PM in the Hauptmarkt square, and we were determined not to miss a moment of the festivities.

Bundled up in our warmest coats, we made our way to the heart of Nuremberg. The entire city seemed to glow, with festive lights strung between medieval buildings and the unmistakable scent of roasted almonds, gingerbread, and mulled wine filling the air. As the clock struck five, the market officially came to life with a charming ceremony led by the "Christkind," a golden-voiced angel who traditionally inaugurates the event.

After the ceremony, we wandered through the market, marveling at the rows of stalls brimming with handmade ornaments, wooden toys, and delicious treats. We couldn’t resist sampling some local specialties, starting with a warm cup of glühwein (mulled wine) and bratwurst. It was the perfect way to wrap up our first day in Germany.

As we headed back to the hotel, tired but thrilled, we couldn’t stop talking about the festive magic of the Christkindlesmarkt and how much we’re looking forward to exploring more of this beautiful city tomorrow.

Old City gate

Toni with her first Glühwein (hot mulled wine with varying levels of spices), but liked the Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic versions of a mulled wine)

Santa and one of his "elfs"

The Eggnog was not for the young!

Sausages everywhere