Munich, Germany
Munich's beautifully lighted streets in December give the impression that the entire city is one big Christkindlmarkt, but a closer look reveals that they are all actually quite different. From wooden houses filled with traditional frosted gingerbread hearts and Christmas tree decorations to a market where everything for sale is straight out of the Middle Ages, they come in all shapes and sizes. One is devoted to creche figures only, while the other is focused on cutting-edge design.
Start at Marienplatz, where a glockenspiel in the tower above performs a routine every day at 11 am that includes a jousting match. Marienplatz is beneath the magnificent façade of the town hall. There has been a market here since at least 1642, and there are more stalls in the area beyond the city hall. You can reach a square with every cabin decorated with creche figures after a two-block walk. Wittelsbacher Platz is home to the medieval market, where craftspeople dressed in historical costume tend colorful pointed-roofed tents filled with leather, ironwork, woodenware, hand-bound books, and other items from the time. Even your own authentic costumes can be bought.
