Roam Free with M&G

I have always wanted to experience the magical feeling of spending Christmas walking through the gorgeous markets in Germany. One of the biggest questions is which one was the best to go to? Well I didn’t want to just visit one market, so we made a plan to visit 3 different markets in a week. Can it be done without a car and without feeling tired by the end of the trip? Of course it can, plus with a bit of planning you can even see some of the famous Castles and historic buildings that make Germany a must visit!

As our main goal for this trip was to visit the markets, I made a list of the ones I wanted to visit, and narrowed it down to: Munich Christkindlmarkt in Marienplatz square, The Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber and The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. Now that we had our top 3 markets, it was then time to plan the rest of the trip and figure out our way around.

We flew from Manchester and started the trip in Munich a few days before Christmas. Flights were booked to arrive in the early afternoon in Munich so we had the chance to start exploring that evening. Every time we travel we always try and get a hotel that is close to public transport, and on this trip our main way to get around was by train. We booked a hotel within walking distance of the main station everywhere we went, which made getting around so much easier then having to worry about hiring a car and figuring out parking every day.

Our second day in Munich, and we visited a few of the important buildings that make Munich so memorable, which included The Resedenz Museum, Treasury and Cuvillies Theatre. Every new place we go to we also try our best to include some of the local cuisine. Tonight we had a some of the best schnitzels I think I have ever tasted.

Our third day we decided to make a day trip over to Rothenburg Ob Ter Tauber. Again, we made this trip via train, it’s so simple. Now if you ever get the chance to make it to Germany you have to add this gorgeous medieval town to your bucket list. For a small town it has so much to offer: Walk along the ancient Walls, unique Museums that include year-round Christmas museum & shop, and of course if you are going during the holiday season you need to attend their Christmas market.

Another great reason to visit the Christmas markets is the amazing food they have available for you try. From sweet treats and tasty mulled wines to wurst sausages that range from the traditional bratwurst to currywurst with of course sauerkraut and everything in between.

On day four we ticked off another major spot from our bucket list. It was another busy day, getting up early and catching the train to Fussen, followed by a bus up to the beautiful historic fairy tale Neuschwanstein Castle! With your entry ticket you get a 40min guided tour inside to see the amazing rooms, paintings and craftmanship of this magnificent castle. After spending time at the castle we walked along Mary’s Bridge, where you get to see the castle from a different point of view. To make the most of your day here you can add a tour to also visit Hohenschwangau Castle, which is the house where King Lugwig II grew up. Whether you’re a history buff or love photographing scenic landscapes, Neuschwanstein Castle and its surrounding area is truly a must-see destination for the whole family.

Days five and six, we boarded the train and journeyed to Nuremberg, a city full of rich history and cultural heritage. After checking into our hotel, we spent the afternoon and evening exploring the town and enjoying the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg Castle, and the Old City Walls.

After two lovely days in Nuremberg, we took the train back to Munich to finish our trip to Germany. From our hotel, we took the tram and set off to a castle that is just absolutely beautiful from the inside out. It’s none other than Nymphenburg Palace. Now, if you have never heard of this grand palace, then you must add it to your must-see locations if you’re a lover of intricate art, jewels and craftmanship. It’s a place you have to see to believe.

If you’re the type of person that wants to add some more educational museums and locations especially to do with the history of World War 2, then these are the following places we would recommend: NS Dokumentationszentrum which is the original location of the brown house (Nazi Headquarters), Nazi Documentary Rally Grounds and Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site where ‘More than 200,000 prisoners from over 40 nations were imprisoned in the Dachau concentration camp and its subcamps’. It was a very emotional and sobering experience. It was overwhelming to walk through the camp, knowing the horrific history that took place, and a devastating reminder of the cruelty that occurred. We left with a greater understanding of the atrocities of the Holocaust and its lasting impact.

Should you have the opportunity to remain in Germany beyond Christmas Day, I highly recommend experiencing the Boxing Day specials. We managed to find an abundance of fantastic Christmas decorations and souvenirs, filling our bags to the brim. Be sure to leave some extra room in your luggage to bring home all the wonderful goodies!

All in all, Germany has so much to offer for the whole family, whether you’re a couple enjoying a romantic time away, bringing the family for history and culture, or going solo to experience life in a different country; you’ll definitely find enough to see and do to keep you busy.