Quick update on my whirlwind trip to see Christmas markets. I wanted to visit the Strasbourg market from Paris, but the return train ticket was $375.00, so I skipped it and stayed in Paris! I spent 4 nights in Paris before taking a 4 hour train trip to Frankfurt (super easy). I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I love trains in Europe — it’s my fav way to travel between places here.
I’m staying at the Westin Grand in Frankfurt and am very happy here. I applied 4 SNAs to my reservation, but they were returned to me the day I was arriving (so all 5 will go to waste this year). I arrived at the hotel around 1:30 — check-in was quick and easy and my room was ready. I was upgraded to a 2 queen executive room, which is huge, way more space than I need. I had asked in advance for a quiet room and I have a super quiet room (which is good because at breakfast my first morning I heard some ladies talking about hearing sirens during the night!). Location is fantastic, breakfast is good (buffet with plenty of hot and cold options and an omelette station) and staff is very nice. Public transport here is amazing - fast & efficient and very easy to use.
I’ve been to the Christmas markets in Heidelberg, Rudesheim, Wiesbaden and of course in Frankfurt. All are different and I don’t have a favorite (though I found some really nice things in Weisbaden). I’m heading to Cologne tomorrow, then home on Wednesday morning. Anyone thinking of doing a Rhine River cruise, it would be so easy to fly to Frankfurt, base yourself here and take day trips to the various cities (Heidelberg, Rudesheim and Cologne are all around an hour by train). The Hessen ticket is good for up to 5 adults and costs 38 euros, an amazing deal — it will take you to the aforementioned cities as well as Mainz, which is slightly outside of Hessen, but there is a reciprocal agreement.
A few pics:
My favorite Paris Christmas market, which has a killer view
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All the high-end designer stores had gorgeous store fronts!
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IMHO probably the prettiest market I have visited thus far, Römer, in Frankfurt
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One of the smaller markets in Heidelberg, the view is the star attraction!
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