When we decided to stay in Europe for Christmas this year, I knew that I wanted to see more Christmas markets. When we last went to a big market
5 years ago in Dusseldorf on a Saturday, it was so mobbed that it was hard to fully enjoy it. So I planned our trip to hit up the markets Monday through Thursday. As we broke up early for the holidays, we also were able to travel the week when most kids were still in school.
We'd been wanting to return to the Alsace in France and they are known for their spectacular Christmas markets. We broke up the 7.5-hour drive by stopping the first night in Aachen, Germany, another must-see market town.
First, we stopped for lunch and a tour of the nearby Castle Hoensbroek in the Netherlands.
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| The kids made shields that you could scan and they would show up in the animation. They found it much more fun to scan their faces to show up all smushed on the screen! |
We made it to Aachen in time for sunset and spent the evening exploring the small, but charming market.
It set the bar high for the rest of the week!
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| Gorgeous town hall. |
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| This Cathedral was stunning, inside and out! |
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| Let the Gluhwein flow! |
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| Aunt Leslie gifted the kids money to spend as they liked at the markets. Jude first choose a geode that this vendor would then open for you. Very cool concept! |
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| Maeve found a necklace at the gem stand and also chose a small silver nutcracker. |
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| The mosaiced inner dome of the cathedral- wow! |
The kids had had enough after a few hours so we retreated to the hotel and watched the Santa Clause. Pete went back out for more gluhwein and treats after the kids went to bed. I love the souvenir mugs, but they put the year 2024 on them!
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