Best Christmas Markets

@SophieY (891)
South Africa
November 29, 2016 5:02am CST
First you have to decide what you are expecting of a Christmas Market - I have visited many, some here in SA and some abroad - Some are magical and others are just ordinary. The Christmas Market in Barcelona was selling all kinds of wooden Christmas Tree decorations which took my fancy as they would then become "forever" decorations. They also have many surprising products to create your unique nativity scene! A collection of sorts as they are not cheap. It has come to my attention that the BEST Markets can be found in Germany. "Dresden, Germany has 11 completely different Christmas markets in one city!" Second on my list would be "Basel, Switzerland which is apparently one of the prettiest and largest Christmas markets of Switzerland." We have about 20 markets running in Cape Town over the festive Season - all crafters markets but nothing like that of EUROPE. . . . . . The sun will be hot, the juices will be cold, the kids will be in summer gear and fathers will be drinking beer! To market to market to buy . . . . Treats for the Feast!
8 people like this
8 responses
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
29 Nov 16
One of the best Christmas market is in Strasbourg (France). The two best in Switzerland are Basel and Zürich. Right now, here in Switzerland in Bern, there is the Onion Market. It is something you surely would like to visit.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472087)
• Switzerland
30 Nov 16
@SophieY No, unfortunately this year we cannot go. My sister in law is hospitalized and she is very bad. We need to stay here.
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
30 Nov 16
@LadyDuck sorry to hear
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
30 Nov 16
Oh I hope you get to one and then you can show us what its like
2 people like this
• United States
30 Nov 16
I will have to look at my mom's scrapbook to see if we visited a Christmas store when we went to Germany. I'm sure we did, we were there three week on a tour, but I don't remember where. There is a wonderful Christmas store in Frankenmuth, Michigan. I looked it up and it's in the top ten Christmas stores in the U.S. I lived just a half hour away for many years. We always took our visitors there. In Gatlinburg, TN there is an amazing Christmas store (not harmed by the fire as far as I know)
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Nov 16
@SophieY Goodness, the way I worded that response was confusing! During a three week tour I believe we stopped at a large Christmas shop but I don't remember the city. Now I hope to find out to see if it was Dresden.
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
1 Dec 16
@Jeanniemaries ha ha ha you are questioning your own response - that is funny!!!
@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
30 Nov 16
I am sure there are some stunning Christmas places in USA - probably just not as commercial as the normal shops
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
29 Nov 16
I don't know of any specific Christmas markets anywhere close to me. The big sale at my church that is going on now though is like one!
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
30 Nov 16
there are many churches in our area that have a few this week-end and next, but nothing compares to Germany
@snowy22315 (182344)
• United States
29 Nov 16
I would love going to one of those Christmas markets in Germany. I bet they are amazing!
1 person likes this
@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
30 Nov 16
read @MALUSE response at the top - they are amazing and the photo on the websites are just as stunning
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
29 Nov 16
I do love random homemade ornaments, so much neater than the ones at the larger chain stores
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
30 Nov 16
they are - and they are timeless - last forever
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@JudyEv (342277)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 16
I'm not sure that we have Christmas markets of any kind here although I'm sure we must have. It's not something I'd take much notice of I guess so it's no wonder if I've missed it.
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
29 Nov 16
I cannot remember ever seeing them as a child so I think its something new in SA - or a trend trying to look like the European markets - but alas they fall short.
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@LeaPea2417 (37383)
• Toccoa, Georgia
19 Dec 16
Those apples look delicious!
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
29 Nov 16
I have actually been to a Christmas Market in Munich, Brugge, Antwerp, Brussels, as well as Barcelona and Rome - they were all delightful. I cannot think we could compare anything here in SA with the Europe Splendor of Christmas markets and their fabulous sweets - Oh now I wish I was somewhere in Germany to buy lots of goodies to feast on!
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@SophieY (891)
• South Africa
29 Nov 16
One day I'll get to see some of those markets - for now Kirstenbosch and Rondebosh will have to do!
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