The Christmas markets in Cologne have to be the best we have visited in Europe, to date! They are beautifully laid out, each vendor with an individual, wooden “hut” from which to sell their products, and not touristy rubbish, but high-quality goods such as hand-crafted wooden tree decorations depicting scenes of Cologne, hand-made leather belts, intricately carved clocks, pure-butter biscuits in branded tins, candles, hats, scarves, gloves, and so on.

Each of the markets is heavily biased towards selling food and drinks such as hot Gluhwein to keep-out the cold; Gluhwein is a spiced red wine that is a popular drink in cold European countries which I remember enjoying on skiing holidays; hot eggnog laced with rum and served with a big dollop of cream on top; beer, of course; deep-fried potato cakes served with mustard; brats (sausages) of every description known to man served in buns with lashings of sauerkraut; hot smoked salmon sandwiches; and, cheese served every which way – hot and spread on rye bread, sliced thickly and wedged in rolls, in sauces covering ham, salami and whatever else comes to hand! It’s made my mouth water just writing about it!

Some of the markets have ice rinks and merry-go rounds for children; many have stages where bands and choirs entertain the crowds. And, all of the markets we visited were jam-packed with families, friends and workers all enjoying whatever was on offer and barely a tourist in sight, apart from us!

The experience really has been magical!

Pretty entrances to the markets!

Drinks stands and vendor units.

Mike and I enjoying an eggnog!

Magnificent hand-carved wooden animals for sale!