European Vacation!

And the tour continues!  And yes, I never, ever will get tired of saying "Look Kids! Big Ben!"  

Merry Christmas from Munich!

OK, I admit it.  I am obsessed with Christmas Markets.  I love everything about them - the atmosphere, the beauty, the music, the food, the wine...

So really, why stop at visiting one each year?  I convinced my (very tolerant) husband to make a last minute pre-Christmas trip to Munich for one last Christmas Market hurrah.  Why Munich?  Well, after extensive hands on research, we have decided Germany and Austria are neck and neck in the race for holiday dominance.  Having already tried Vienna, Salzburg, and Berlin, we wanted to give Germany a fighting chance, so hence Munich. Munich seems to be kind of overlooked in the European destination of choice category - and WOW! It is absolutely worth a look!  

This is the Marienplatz in the heart of the old town, and the largest Christmas Market.  I'll keep this brief, because by this time this blog feels like Market..blah blah...Gluhwein..blah...historic buildings...blah blah.  Let's focus on the pictures. Because Munich really is spectacular.

Oh look!  Obligatory Kids Eating Meat on a Stick Picture!

See, now here is something new.  It's not every Christmas Market you can buy your very own Schmuck.

The cool thing about Munich is they decided to give their markets themes.  Here is the Medieval Fair (the gluhwein was flaming, I kid you not)

The Pink Christmas market - for your Gay and Lesbian Christmas shopping needs:

Old as Dirt Market (that's not what it was really called, I made it up because I can't remember) under the original gate of the Gothic historic old town, built around 1300.

There was the Kripperlmarkt...which consisted entirely of hand made nativity scenes!!



They were beautiful - and we did make a gluhwein fueled decision to buy one.  But then we couldn't figure out how to get it back to the US without some important King or other getting his head snapped off..



And what trip to Munich would be complete without a trip to the world famous Hofbrauhaus?  Yes, this is THREE FABULOUS STORIES OF PORK AND BEER:

One thing I love about the markets is that you get all your hot drinks in these festive mugs, which are unique to each booth in the market.  So you could have quite a collection!  Or, you could turn them in and get your two euros back.  After noticing that the blue mug on the left said "Christkindlemarkt 2009", we opted for the two euros, forfeiting the potential Ebay collector's market upside.

The trip was short and sweet - home just in time for Christmas!  Which reminds me of my British Turkey Tip of the Year:

Should you get your turkey from the butcher (who has clever signs to entice you like "Well hung, mature and available meats"), they just shot that dude.  As in, there will be buckshot and feather remains.  It is wayyyy to close to its original turkey-ness, as far as I'm concerned.  Just wanted to warn you that it is NO Butterball.

Love to all!

Merry Christmas!