That moment when a local German talks to him and he slips into speaking perfect German.. Love! This family is the best guide to travel, truly! Also if you're near Stuttgart, check out the Esslingen Christmas Market; it's combined with their midieval festival and it's really fun. We finally made it there this year and it was amazing, our kids loved it too!

first: never go on saturday evening, it will be crowded as hell

When that German lady suddenly greeted him, that was gold!

warning: it´s super easy to underestimate glühwein. all the spices and the sugar makes it easy to go overboard, so drink slowly, even if it warms your stomach quite well.

That's why we got Pfand because tourists kept the cups as souvenir. 😁 Augsburg got a very nice Xmas market.

I don't think you're supposed to eat the ginger bread hearts, they're just gifts. I remember my grandma had one of those hanging in the kitchen and it was about 50 years old...

Aww that lady that went up to you was so cute

That was such perfect timing when he talked about how the locals will be in a good mood and you can get to know them, and this lady interrupted him saying 'Should we annoy you a little?' So sweet :-) Luebeck in Christmas season is also quite nice but in general these Christmas markets are sometimes increadibly crowded in the evening especially on the weekend.

A note to add, is that almost anywhere in Germany (can't speak of other countries), seating at the tables is usually shared with others (whom you may not know); having a table privately, if there's two people is not done (I did travel in Germany, and that was customary in the 80's). It's also a nice way to meet other people.

Took a tour of Christmas Markets in Germany & Austria several years ago. Loved it! One of my favorite trips. My collection of mugs are on display in my curio cabinet.

I miss the Christmas markets in Germany! My parents live in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and it's the perfect place to be during the holidays. Really gets you feeling festive. Great video!

You lucky fellow! I absolutely love the Christmas Markets all over Europe but most especially in Germany. You can catch some still open in Berlin after Christmas Day. It's a magical time and an experience not to be missed.

I grew up in Dinkelsbuehl. One of my favorite memories would be to take the Schienenbus from Dinkelsbuehl to Dombuehl, then a BIG V200 Diesel to Nuernberg for the Weihnachtsmarket … Loved growing up in Germany

I haven't been to one in Germany, but loved the one I went to in Vienna in Austria and Bath in England. I went to one in London just a while back and it was super packed, but I'd went at the worst time to be in central London... a Saturday evening. Dublin in Ireland had a nice one, it was really small compared to other European ones but it was less crowded and the atmosphere in the city around Christmas is really nice with all the Buskers playing music

Just went to a Christmas Market in Chicago, love my new mug! Thanks for all you do, best wishes to you and your family!

We went to Germany (Munich) for our honeymoon last December. We rented a car and drove all over Bavaria for a week and our favourite christmas markets were in Ulm and Rothenburg ob der tauber! The small town Christmas markets are AWESOME!

I lived in Germany for several years and your advice is spot-on. Thank you!

I LOVE these Christmas videos.....Mark and Jocelyn, thank you! Merry Christmas!

Love your videos! I like the small town markets and think they are more fun but many are just open on weekends so you need to plan and go to the larger ones during the week also when they are less crowded. Wernigerode has a wonderful Mädchen choir that has several CDs. I bought one when my sister and I were there and it brings back good memories!

What a lovely video! And you posted it at the best time possible. I’m here in France enjoying some wonderful Christmas markets!!:):):)

As someone who worked at those markets, you should also not got too early in the day. A lot of stalls will sell you yesterdays dry leftovers for the same price.

We’re in Nürnberg now! This is my third time here during Christmas season. Going to Erfurt, Bamberg and Munich while we’re here to check out some more Christmas markets, but I do think Nürnberg is one of the best! Merry Christmas to you and Jocelyn and the boys!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Very Nice, Mr. Walter!!! Made me feel like it’s Christmas already!!! Beautiful place!!!😍 🎄

That sweet lady coming up to you was amazing!! So sweet!

Took a Christmas Markets cruise on the Danube. My favorite was in Regansburg at the Thurn and Taxis palace. Going on a Christmas Markets trip to England this year, and yes we are not going too early or too late.

Don’t keep your wallet in your back pocket

Great video thanks for The tips

We just got back from Brussels, Bruges, Cologne, and a cruise from Frankfurt to Nuremberg to see the town's and Christmas markets! Was a wonderful trip! Loved Belgium and Germany!

We just got back from Brussels, we went for the weekend and last weekend we went to Frankfurt just to the Christmas markets! We walked the entire places and then some. It was a great experience and you're right about the dont's. I will add "Don't feel guilty if you eat too much" 'cause you'll probably gonna walk it out of your system and/or your system will use aaaall those calories trying to keep you warm, (same applies with the mulled wine) 😁😁😁. Great video, thanks for sharing!

I love Christmas markets. I have mostly been to Berlin, and it is great because there are so many different to discover, and also see other parts of this great city. On my way to Berlin I missed a connection and had 5 hours extra in Düsseldorf. Of course I had to check out a beautiful Christmas market as well. Also: It is fun to visit new ones: You newer know how they are.

Going to Berlin for the Christmas markets from 20th to 23rd so just perfect!

I always choose to keep the cup, they're lovely souvenirs.

thanks, super well explained, going to Cologne this weekend!

I 💚 Christmas time and these markets look so exciting!🍭🎁And yessss, I'm going to keep the cup too!😉

I'm German but have lived in the Caribbean for nearly 15 years. I've only been back once during Christmas time, but I went to at least 6 Christmas markets in Hamburg and Lübeck and I was in heaven ❤🎅 I need to visit my home country more often during Christmas time, very highly recommended, it's magic!

great video. really makes me want to go there!

Great advices and tips, gonna be useful for my Christmas trip to German Christmas markets. Thanks.

Wernigerode, Quedlinburg and Braunschweig *spotted* :D Wonderful Christmas Markets - all three of them 👍

Excellent video! Very helpful!

We are taking a Viking River Cruise called Christmas on the Rhine starting Nov 25th and ending in Basel Dec 2nd. Their brochure for this cruise shows the Christmas markets all lit up so hopefully that wasn't click bait on their part!

Good advice, thank you for sharing.

Good thing to do is to check on internet dates when Weihnachtsmarkt are "open" in city you want to go. Greets

We are off to cologne Christmas markets tomorrow. Thanks for this hugely useful video 👍

I am currently planning for a family trip to Germany at the end of August/first part of September 2019. Wernigerode is actually one of the towns I've been considering to visit. With your video and all the articles and videos I keep running across at this time of year about the Christmas markets it looks like I may just have to make a return trip to Germany during the holiday season. Thanks for sharing!

awesome information and video

As far as I know, it is legally considered theft to take the Glühwein cups home. The deposit you have to pay does not mean that you have bought the cup but you have just "rented" it. So if you want to take it home, do it secretly or, even better, ask the salesperson at the Glübwein-stand if you can buy the cup (for some extra Euros).

Great vid thanks

1st Sunday in Advent...as it should be...😊

The same applies to Xmas markts in Belgium and Holland. Be sure to check when they are open. In some small towns it's just that one weekend.

I went Christmas shopping in Paris last week, I usually always go to Germany, but wanted to switch things up. The Chrismas market at Tuileries had surprisingly good food! It was more like an international food market, which I absolutely love. Unfortunately I didn't get to try all the food I wanted, it all looked so good!

Great tips

Love your videos!

Another wonderful travel video! But boohoo I wanna be there!

There’s been a pretty awesome Christmas Market here in Vancouver BC for the past few years, nothing beats the real thing though!

Great video. True insider information!

I can't get to Europe, but Salt Lake City hosts a German-style Christmas Market each year and I went to it for the first time this year and it was awesome!!! I had just watched your video on what to do at a Christmas Market and it was right on the money; I hope to someday make it to a market in the real place someday!!

Try the small Christmas Markets like "Blotschenmarkt" (Mettmann - near Düsseldorf) or "Herzog-Wilhelm-Markt" (Wülfrath - also near Düsseldorf) or the Nostalgia Christmas Market in Hattingen (Ruhr-area) - all towns located in North Rhine - Westfalia.

I've only ever gone to the Christkindlemarkt in Chicago. It's always disgustingly crowded every single day it's open. I imagine in Germany it's similarly crowded in huge cities? Ugh but what I'd give to go to one in a small town like in your vid. Thanks for sharing!

I really enjoy your videos. I love traveling but, I don't get to go as much as I'd like. The information that you and your beautiful wife share are so helpful, and better prepare me for the trips that I do get to go on. My husband doesn't like traveling very much (that's why I don't go often) although, he has started to watch some of your videos with me and has been noticeably more interested in it. It was cool to hear you speak in German. Are you fluent?

This Video makes me so happy. Now I really Want to go!

Chicago, IL has an awesome Christkindl market open from Black Friday through Christmas Eve (closes early on Christmas Eve). The gluhewein is yummy and there's so many stands with cool trinkets and decorations!

Thanks for the information. So very helpful. Christmas markets in Germany are definitely on my list.

I'm going to the Xmas Market in Cologne at the end of November. It will be my first one. Can't wait.

You missed one important thing: Go to a Christmasmarket in a wine area. The glühwein in the tourist spots or far away from a winearea usually tastes like old shoes compared to real Glühwein from a winery. The codewort for that is "Winzer Glühwein". Usually they have white Glühwein besides the red Glühwein. Taste the white one, it is fantastic!

I just discovered eierlikör this year and I don't know how I went all my life without it.

Hi Wolters World, Check out Kufstein‘s (fortress/ Burg) Weihnachtmarkt. I guess you‘ll love that too and is only a few kilometres from Munich, Salzburg or Innsbruck.

My mother has a lovely collection of little mugs from the Christmas markets in Germany. I wish we had cute mugs in France, but our hot spice wine comes in plastic cups!

My 2021 Christmas place!!

Just got back from Aachen. Great Christmas market. Definitely bring cash. Bought 130EUR worth of hand-carved ornaments. Fantastic.

Christmas markets in Sweden too 😊but it's usually only on the first of advent (Before Covid-19 anyway) Nice channel!

Pittsburgh PA has their own Christmas Market at Market Square in downtown. Its nice to see a true German Christmas Market

The 24th of December is only half a holiday. Stores are open until anywhere between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., some even until 6 p.m.

i truly love how almost correctly you pronounce german words . Shows , you truly care Going to X-Mas Market tonight up North in Bremen Germany . Happy Holidays

Love your videos! You always have great info and your camera presence is always great! Just want to throw a friendly heads up that there’s a typo in your Don’t #1. Don’t come too** early. Sorry to be a stickler! Again, love the videos!

that lady was so nice for saying hi to him :)

I figure I'll never make it out of Kentucky. I'll just vicariously live through you sir!

Koln, Germany and Brussels have GREAT Christmas markets!! (as do the smaller towns along the Rhine)

The hearts are supposed to be a souvenir/gift and not to be eaten.

In Klagenfurt, Austria the New Year’s market is a lot of fun. After Christmas the stalls switch their goods to New Year’s themes especially pigs and chimney sweeps. Giving a pig is traditional as it means good fortune for the coming year. The tradition goes back to medieval times when having a pig meant meat to last through the hard winter. So buy a ceramic, plastic or stuffed toy pig at the many stalls and bring luck to your family. At midnight on New Year,s Eve everyone waltzes as the music is played throughout the city.

Looks like a fun place

thanks dude, I’m planning to do it this year if cov-19 permit.

My beautiful home city. Wernigerode is so awesome

Tip: soms Christmas markets are still open after Christmas! Check out which one's are open and which aren't. My friend and I will go interrailing around Christmas and about everywhere we're going after Christmas still has the Christmasmarkets.

Merry Christmas from Australia

Bring cash - that's very good advice here in Austria too! Always make sure you have a good amount of cash on you because many places don't accept card payments.

Definitely love collecting the mugs! Heading to Cologne on December 2nd this year after Düsseldorf and Hamburg post Covid... I find the Germans super friendly and usually come home with bags of decorations 😂

I miss Gluwein I had some last December for the first time in Holland. It was delicious lol but at least it is easy to make at home : )

I visited the Christkindlmarkt at the Alexanderplatz this week and it was everything I hoped it would be. Pure magic. 😊 I suggest everyone to try the candied nuts; they are expensive but so so good!

Check out the christmas markets in Austria, too. They have different stuff to offer, too.

Verry good is "gebrannte Mandeln" 😘

I love the cup.

We would not make it without you!!

The Christmas Market in Salzburg is open until midday on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve). At 12 noon, guns are fired from the Castle to announce the beginning of the Christmas holiday and everything closes down. And I mean closes down. I have never shutters go dopwn on a shop so quickly!!!

Great video as always! Just one small hint: the name of the town is pronounced Wernige-rode

The big decorated heart ones, the icing is really HARD, and the cookies might be stale; buy the little fresh ones! Get the mushrooms in garlic sauce! Yummy! Most towns have their own markets on weekends. They are sometimes worth the visit. Bring cash! In some areas there are pick-pockets, be careful.

Just go for the experience. You will pay a premium for everything, as the stall holders have to pay huge rents to be there. So everything will be very expensive.

There are no Christmas markets because of the Totensonntag (literally Death's Sunday), which is on the Sunday before the first advent Sunday. And it is s silent holiday do public dancing events, music and so on are not allowed.

Meeting the Germans out in the wild

Thanks! Love Christmas Markets!

I don't know if you've ever been to the Manchester UK Christmas Markets but I keep a cup every year 😂 I love them. I'm from Greater Manchester so shouldn't really buy into the tourist stuff but I love it 😂😂