Grüße aus Deutschland!  Greetings from Germany! 

My sister and I are in the midst of a two-week adventure exploring the magic of the annual European Christmas Markets.  We have an ambitious itinerary starting in Frankfurt, travelling to the small German towns of Lauscha and Seiffen in the Ore Mountains, and then city hopping from Dresden, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic and on to Vienna, Austria.

FanningSparks Christmas Market Tour 2024 @FanningSparks

During this time, I’ll be posting brief updates―primarily photos with very little context―so I can soak in every minute of this adventure without getting distracted with blogging. There should be lots more to share after I return home and have time to delve deeper.
First up is Frankfurt am Main in Germany.  Frankfurt is located on its namesake river, the Main, which is the longest tributary of the Rhine.  This is the view from the Eiserner Steg (Iron Footbridge) over the Main.

Frankfurt am Main from Iron Footbridge   @FanningSparks
Frankfurt am Main Through Iron Footbridge   @FanningSparks

Looking from the Eiserner Steg in the opposite direction is the Dreikönigskirche (The Church of the Three Kings). 

Church of Three Kings from Iron Footbridge   @FanningSparks
Church of Three Kings in Frankfurt am Main   @FanningSparks

Strolling along the Main promenade is a popular activity.

Strolling Along Main Promenade in Frankfurt am Main   @FanningSparks

But the main attraction was the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) or I should say “markets” since there are several.  There’s a towering Christmas tree in front of Frankfurt’s stunning City Hall in Römerberg.

Christmas Tree at Frankfurt’s City Hall   @FanningSparks

But my favorite sight was this stupendous, two-tier vintage carousel! 

Two-Tier Vintage Carousel at Frankfurt Christmas Market   @FanningSparks
Horses on Two-Tier Vintage Carousel at Frankfurt Christmas Market   @FanningSparks

In Roßmarkt, a three-tier Christmas pyramid tops the central food stall. 

Three-Tier Christmas Pyramid in Daylight at Frankfurt Christmas Market   @FanningSparks

It’s especially beautiful at night.

Three-Tier Christmas Pyramid at Night at Frankfurt Christmas Market   @FanningSparks

Surrounding the main attractions are an endless array of market stalls selling everything from food and drinks to artisan crafts.

Market Stall Selling Candy and Sweets at Frankfurt Christmas Market   @FanningSparks
Market Stall Selling Paper Stars at Frankfurt Christmas Market   @FanningSparks

I’ll share more about the Christmas markets in future blog posts but, for now, let’s move on to our next destination―the charming town of Lauscha in the beautiful Thuringian Forest.

Thuringian Forest in Germany   @FanningSparks
Charming Town of Lauscha Germany   @FanningSparks
Alley in Lauscha Germany   @FanningSparks

We thoroughly enjoyed a visit to the Museum of Glass Art as well as several glass art galleries. Lauscha is considered to be “the cradle of glass Christmas tree decorations” but that’s a story for another time!

Museum of Glass Art in Lauscha Germany   @FanningSparks
Colored Glassware in Museum of Glass Art Shop in Lauscha Germany   @FanningSparks
Nutcracker Glass Christmas Ornament   @FanningSparks

I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini-blog post from Germany!  Check back next week for more photos from our European Christmas Market Tour.

Peg - FanningSparks Author


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