Vienna Christmas Market [by day]

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

When I first heard the word "Christmas market" from the lady checking us in at our hotel, my ears perked up.  Coming to Vienna, we had no idea that there would be Christmas markets. It's something that has been on my wishlist of things to experience ever since Yuriy came back from Germany a couple years ago and told me about the traditional markets and especially the hot wine they sell--a perfect winter drink. I thought I had to go to Germany to see one. As it turns out, Christmas markets originated in German-speaking countries, which includes Austria. And the country has hundreds of them all over the country, not just in Vienna.

Every Christmas market, or Christkindlmarkt, is set on an open plaza or well traveled street. We visited several markets in Vienna, and each one was set against a beautiful or historic building. There was even a market in front of the royal Schönbrunn Palace. Matching wooden booths stand in rows and sell Christmas gifts, ornaments, and decorations. One stand sells everything you could possibly need to build the world's best nativity set on your mantle. The booths that really drew me in were the ones selling food-- traditional pastries, old-fashioned candies, gingerbread cookies in every shape, toasted nuts, bratwurst, and baked potatoes. The classic thing to do at the Christmas market is enjoy a steaming cup of Christmas punch, or Weihnachtspunschstanding around an open table with some friends. Christmas punch is a version of mulled wine (Germans call it Glühwein) which is spiced with things like cinnamon and cloves or a combination of fruit tea, spices, sugars, and spirits (mainly rum and brandy). The punch comes in many fruit varieties with a scoop of whole berries or cherries in the cup. Christmas punch is served piping hot in ceramic mugs, which is the perfect way to warm up on a freezing December night and be filled with holiday merriment.

Later today I will post more photos of the Christmas market at night, when it truly sparkles and feels most magical.

- Julia

[graphics: The Graphics Fairy & Pugly Pixel, font: DaFont]

19 comments :

  1. I love Christmas markets, we have just come back from Italy and went to one there, we also have a small version in the UK but nothing as festive!x

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  2. Oh how I envy you! This looks like the most perfect way to get in the holiday spirit. I just wish markets like this existed in the states! These are some of the loveliest holiday photographs I've seen in a while, I think I'm going to relish these and pretend I'm there for now! Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays!

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  3. I absolutely adore the candy shop and all those beautiful glass ornaments.

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  4. all of my favorite things! cute pigtails, coffee, snow, gorgeous glass ornaments and yummy candy. albeit my teeth hurt just thinking about the candy. glad you had the most christmas-y time!

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  5. Amy- An Italian Christmas Market sounds incredible!

    Laura- I was so sad to leave the Christmas markets in Vienna, but we were pleased to find them in Budapest and then even in Ukraine! I think every country ought to have one.

    Kae- There's actually no coffee at the market. Just delicious hot mulled wine and Christmas punch which is actually way better for the festive occasion.

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  6. I love European Christmas markets too! We've been to the ones in Brussels and Prague.

    Here's some good news for when you return to Seattle, though... Vancouver, BC, has just started its first annual German-style Christmas market! We went to it a couple of weeks ago, and while it was small, it did a great job of replicating the feel of the European markets (wooden huts, gluhwein and all). Not as good as the real thing of course, but worth a visit if you find yourself having I-miss-Europe pangs next Christmas!

    Really looking forward to seeing your nighttime Christmas market photos. Your blog, stories and photos are fantastic! I don't normally read strangers' blogs, but you've got me hooked. :)

    ~Anna (an Aussie traveler currently living in Canada)

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  7. That looks amazing. Just letting you guys know i featured ya'll on my blog today so hopefully you will get a few more readers.

    http://meganleigh1216.blogspot.com/2010/12/tuesdays-travel-to-do-mr-mrs-globe-trot.html

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  8. Merry, Merry Christmas!
    Those photos are amazing!
    Definitely makes me even more excited about Christmas :)

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  9. This is beautiful! Now I'm longing to experience this! I'm headed to Paris and Bucharest on Jan.2 all the Christmas markets will be over by then. :)

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  10. Love your photos! Also, thank you for replying to my comment in the other post! :) Looking forward to your night time photos.

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  11. Thats awesome that you guys are enjoying the christmas holiday and the cold weather! I love all the ornaments!


    Pearl

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  12. You make me want to jump in a plane tonight in hopes of catching a glimpse of this christmas market!

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  13. so jealous! i used to live in vienna (last summer) and i recognize all of these photos... i miss it!

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  14. this place looks absolutely magical! Thank you both for sharing.

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  15. Anna- That is fantastic news! Yuriy and I have a special place in our hearts for Vancouver (its where I first got a crush on him 4 years ago). There's no doubt we'll be making a trip to Vancouver next winter to check out this Christmas Market you speak of.

    Ana O- Nooo, you must go there earlier! The Christmas market in Budapest was equally lovely. Actually the food might have been even better.

    Jenni- Well I'm jealous you got to live in Vienna. You must have developed some serious class.

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  16. Gorgeous!! You did a great job of capturing the Christmas markets. And I love how you said they are more of an "event" than actual shopping. Sounds like you had an interesting time actually getting to Vienna... but looks like a great experience overall. :) Have a very Merry Christmas and will look forward to more posts! :)

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  17. Josy- I like how you put it... "interesting". :) It was pretty awful. But definitely worth it!

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  18. My grandparents spent 5 years living in Germany right before my grandpa retired. It was my grandma's dream to live there- so they did! She wrote a journal the entire time (typed it all, on a typewriter!) and she wrote about the christmas markets and how magical everything looked, and she also spoke of the gluhwine (however you spell it!!)... and now I'm longing for it too!!

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