Germany, located at the very heart of Europe, probably isn’t a destination that you would consider going when booking you’re annual summer holiday.

However, around the Christmas period, cities and towns across Germany transform to become a festive feast of fun and enjoyment.

The German Christmas markets are famous all over the world for the wonderful atmosphere they create. The German’s pride themselves on bringing people from a range of cultures together to enjoy food, drink and traditional Christmas cheer. They also endeavour to move away from the commercialism and consumerism that most major cities are accustomed to at that time of the year.

Although there are markets across the country during the Christmas period, some of the most famous are those located in Bavaria – the most south-eastern and largest of the German states. In particular, the markets in Wurzburg and Nuremberg attract visitors from all over Europe, who want to experience the hustle and bustle of a market so close to the Alps at Christmas time.

German Christmas markets sell traditional gifts such as crib figurines, wood carvings, toys and games, candles and lambskin shoes. Picking up such merchandise is one of the best ways to remember your visit to this enchanting place.

Along with the shops and stalls, the Christmas markets in Germany are famed for their range of delicious food and drink. Mulled wine is always a great place to start and is bound to keep you warm on a crisp winter’s evening. The German’s are also well known for their sausages, such as Frankfurters and Bratwursts, and you will find many hot dog stalls selling these.

Hot chestnuts are also a speciality at the markets, along with special gingerbread biscuits called Lebkuchen, marzipan figures and a range of other sweet treats.

A great way to visit the German Christmas markets is by train, and there are a number of sites offering fantastic deals and accompanied tours to markets in Germany, and elsewhere in Europe.