Christmas Market (also called "Christkindlmarkt") makes traveling during the bone aching cold winter so desirable. The glistening lights, snow capped trees, the smell of cinnamon, church bells chime, it brought out the spirit of Christmas in all of us. I thought I had the ultimate Christmas Market experience in London few years ago, until we stepped foot into Austria. Mind blown, we have probably seen more than a hundred Christmas Trees during our 8 days road trip across Austria.
The first sign of Christmas Market started in Austria where their Emperor granted them rights to hold a market for a day or two so that townspeople could stock up their supplies to last through the cold months. Thereafter, the first Christmas Market officially started in Germany.
Below are some pictures of these beautiful Christkindlmarkt (most were shot through my iphone), none of these visits were planned! You will definitely stumble upon one at almost every corner.
1. Rathauspark in front of Vienna City Hall
While there are alot of Christmas Markets in Vienna, one should drop by this Christmas Market as it is the biggest and busiest in Vienna, and probably Austria. Having a cup of Gluhwein (Mulled Wine - A hot spiced wine) in their Christmas Mug is a must. The family and I had one mug at every Christmas Market we went! Perfect for a cold winter night.
2. Stephansplatz Christmas market
After watching the sunset from St. Stephan Cathedral, we indulge in some Christmas delicacies. This is probably a more traditional Christmas Market as traders often use the space around a church as a market place. People of all ages congregate around tables and booth, enjoying a mug of gluhwein and goulash soup in bread bowl.
3. Altwiener Christkindlmarkt at Freyung
We found this Christmas Market on our way back to our apartment. It's a quieter market but the brass quartet caught our attention! Extremely beautiful.
(Excuse us for the extremely low quality photo as we only took a video of the brass quartet. So this is just a screenshot to illustrate the advent scene)
4. Melk Christmas Market
Driving past Wachau Valley on our way to Steyr, we stopped by Melk Abbey situated on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube river. The Abbey stood magnificently on top of this quaint town! The Christmas Market is alot quieter here, yet has a charm of its own.
The popular Danube River
5. Steyr Oldtown Christmas Market
This unique old town has a quaint Christmas Market stituated in the historic Stadtplatz square, which brings out the enchanting spirit of Christmas. My favourite was this gigantic fireplace that could share its warmth with so many people.
Took a walk through its quiet streets early next morning before moving on to the next city. Too quaint!
6. Salzburg Christmas Market
Remember that scene from "Sound of Music" where Maria crossed a square singing "I have confidence" on her way to the Trapp family home for the first time? Here it is, only that it's covered by the Christmas Market booths. Salzburg, a city located at the edge of the alps, brings you a picturesque town. It is also in this town where most of the "Sound of Music" scenes were filmed. It is also the place where Mozart was born. This city is definitely a childhood fairytale.
Greeted by Mozart's portrait everywhere we went.
We also had a unique dining experience accompanied by strings quartet in possibly the oldest inn in the world, St. Peter Stiftskeller, dated all the way back to 803AD.
7. Hellbrunner Adventzauber
Again, stumbled upon more Christmas Market while searching for a few "Sound of Music" filming locations.
This is the entrance to the Von Trapp mansion, except that it's filled with lots of Christmas Trees. We could not get a full view of the mansion, but this festive ambience is perfect!
Remember this gazebo from "Sixteen going on Seventeen"?
And this street where the Von Trapp kids were hanging on the tree right before they got into trouble with their dad?
So, save up for your next Christmas trip!