The Advent Markets of Central Europe are a well established seasonal attraction drawing locals a well as visitors from across the world to visit their stalls, enjoy their ambience and snack on traditional winter dishes. One such market is in Bavaria, south of Germany where the tradition of Advent markets is long established. Munich, Augsberg, Nuremberg also boasts of many such markets in their public squares. People throng to buy gifts such as handcrafted candles, and wooden children’s toys.

These markets are locally called Christkindmarkt and Weihnachtsmarkt. The stalls of Munich’s biggest Christkindmarkt are built to resemble wooden alpine huts with seasonal decorations and handcrafted wooden goods. It’s hard to escape the tantalizing aromas of food, of confectionaries and roasted nuts and country wine heated in vats.

Every evening choirs sing and musicians play on the balcony of the Gothic style town hall. A 30 m high fir tree dominates the centre of the square and 2500 lights illumine its branches. This is a tradition dating back to 1830, when Therese von Sachsen, the wife of King Ludwig1 brought the first decorated Christmas tree into the royal palace. People gather work to bite into Sweet/spiced pieces of bread, biscuits with groundnuts, hot chestnuts, potato fritters with pureed apple and varieties of spiced ginger bread.

Throughout Advent a Christkindl tram runs along a route which takes several of Munich’s Christmas markets. Some of Germany’s most popular Christmas markets are located along the scenic route of the Romantic road, famed for its attractive walled cities with long histories. Foodies and shopaholics will have a great time in these markets.