Day 1: Arrival in Dinkelsbühl & Augsburg Christmas Market
Bus ride to the Augsburg Christkindlesmarkt, where you are expected to take a tour of the old town. The stalls line up on Rathausplatz, Martin-Luther-Platz, along Philippine-Welser-Straße, in Maximilianstraße and in front of the Moritzkirche – one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany.
Let yourself be enchanted by the angel play, which is based on the model of Hans Holbein’s famous altar angels in the facade of the Augsburg town hall. A diverse supporting program will guide you through the pre-Christmas period in an atmospheric manner. In addition to the manger at the Christkindlesmarkt, there are two other attractions: First, there is the “heavenly post office” right under the huge Christmas tree. The Christmas mail delivered here arrives at the recipient with a postmark from the town “Christkindl” in Austria. On the other hand, the stories of the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm are among the most important German children’s and household stories. Furthermore, the Luther Bible is the best-known and most widely distributed book of German cultural history. Due to this enormous popularity, they will be the theme for the “Augsburg Fairytale Route” for the second time in 2015. A fairy tale with a characteristic scene is presented in numerous lovingly decorated shop windows of Augsburg shops around the romantic Christkindlesmarkt.
Continue to the historic town of Dinkelsbühl to your hotel, where you will be greeted with a welcome drink, followed by dinner. 21:00 Tour the illuminated old town with the Dinkelsbühl night watch. On his way through the streets and alleys of the old town he blows his horn and sings his famous verse ‘Hear ye people’ and let you be told’…….
Day 2: Schillingsfürst Castle and Dinkelsbühl Christmas Market
Breakfast and travel by bus to the baroque palace in Schillingsfürst. The baroque palace of the princes of Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst is a landmark of the town of Schillingsfürst. It rises from afar on a spur of the Frankish Heights. The museum rooms and parks indicate the heyday of a small princely residence. The name “Xillingesfirst” appears around the year 1000 in the Burgbernheim game ban certificate. As early as 1300, Schillingsfürst was owned by the House of Hohenlohe. In 1316 the castle was destroyed by Ludwig the Bavarian. The rebuilt castle was burned down during the Boer War in 1525. The castle, which was built for the third time, was destroyed again in 1632 during the Thirty Years’ War. Back in Dinkelsbühl around noon, a Frankish coffee table with a homemade strudel buffet awaits you. Then a stroll through the cozy Dinkelsbühl Christmas market in the old hospital courtyard, including a good cup of mulled wine. Dinner at the hotel. Then goodbye
through the Dinkelsbühl branch in the courtyard of the old town hall. The solo trumpeter of the Dinkelsbühl boys’ orchestra and the sutler welcome the guests with a drink. Then a guided tour of the historic old town.
Day 3: Christmas market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
After breakfast, drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. If you want to get the best of a German winter fairy tale, visit the Rothenburg Reiterlesmarkt during Advent. Medieval Rothenburg is transformed into a winter fairy tale every year. The festive season of Advent has been accompanied by a delicious Christmas market since the 15th century. This market can look back on a tradition of more than 500 years and since then it has wisely changed very little in its historical origins. To increase body heat, white mulled wine is recommended, to fill you up, the original Rothenburg snowballs are ideal, or if you prefer something hearty, grilled sausages and chestnuts are ideal. Back in Dinkelsbühl in the afternoon, visit the “House of History” museum with a witch exhibition. Evening Advent menu with candlelit duck dinner and a drink of your choice. Then a cozy and atmospheric evening with mulled wine, Christmas cookies and zither music, live!
Day 4: Nuremberg gingerbread and journey home
After a leisurely breakfast, head out and drive to Nuremberg. The famous Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. The pre-Christmas sales fair on Nuremberg’s main market can be traced back to the mid-16th century. The first written evidence of it dates back to 1628: an inscription painted in black ink was found on the bottom of a 19 centimeter long, oval and flower-painted chipboard box made of softwood, owned by the Germanisches Nationalmuseum: “Regina Susanna Harßdörfferin von der Jungfrau Susanna Eleonora Erbsin (or Elbsin) sent to Kindles-Marck 1628.”
A list from 1737 shows that almost all Nuremberg craftsmen were represented in Budenstadt. 140 people are authorized to offer goods. Discover with the gingerbread maker Anna Kucherin why the specialty was so successful in Nuremberg. It shows you the most beautiful places in the old town, between the main market, the Kaiserburg and the Sebalduskirche, which is also important for the gingerbread makers. Where were the earliest gingerbread cookies baked according to a secret recipe, when, where and above all why were they eaten with particular pleasure. The road to the recognition of this baking art was long and adventurous. Perhaps this is what led to the best gingerbread recipes. So far the ingredients are a closely guarded secret! Will the gingerbread chef reveal her recipe? In the afternoon return to your entry point.
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