Bavarian Christmas Markets, Gingerbread and Mulled Wine

Enjoy the "stade Zeit" (quiet time) in Bavaria! With Berchtesgadener "Arschpfeiferl" on the Christmas tree, in the Christmas museum, baking real Elisen gingerbread and at some of the most beautiful christmas markets. You suffer from Advent allergy? Then read our tips for active winter happiness on snowshoes or cross-country skis and recommendations for winter town tours.

Beleuchteter Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Christmas Markets

Bavarian Christmas markets can do more than just bratwurst and mulled wine! Here are 24 Advent ideas with a very special flair.

Lebkuchenpralinen von Bäckermeister Arnd Erbel

Gingerbread pralines

Would you rather have just a little snack instead of Elisen gingerbread? Master baker Arnd Erbel shares his recipe for gingerbread pralines

Käthe Wohlfahrt Weihnachtsdorf in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Peaceful? Silent? Or merry?

Here the whole year revolves around one thing: Christmas. Germany’s only Christmas museum shows how Christmas decorations evolved over the years

Vanillekipferl von Freibäcker Arnd Erbel aus Franken

Vanilla crescent

Master baker Arnd Erbel from Franconia reveals his recipe for delicious vanilla crescents. As a gift or to nibble on yourself during Advent

Glühwein-Genuss auf dem Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt

Fancy some boozy maidens?

Today, the days before the holidays also invite you to enjoy certain delicacies. 12 delicacies from Kletzenbrot to Christmas beer

Gingerbread

In one of the oldest German bakeries, Arnd Erbel bakes according to tried and tested traditional recipes. Learn his recipe for Elisenlebkuchen here

Die Pfeifen im Hinterteil der Pferde bleiben immer unbemalt

„Arschpfeiferl“ instead of made in China

More tinsel? Tree decorations made in China? Certainly not in Berchtesgaden. This is a town where colourful wooden toys hang on Christmas trees

Mulled gin

Bottoms up! For all gin lovers there is a great alternative to mulled wine: A recipe for mulled gin from the crew of "Snow White".

And after Advent in Bavaria's Towns?

Aus Liebe zu Holz und Handwerk übernahm Alexander Hergenhan 2012 die Werkstatt seines Onkels in der Rhön

Sledge builder Alexander Hergenhan

Each year, Alexander Hergenhan from the Rhoen fashions around 150 traditional wooden sledges from domestic ash using ancient techniques

Das Klausentreiben ist etwa 1.000 Jahre alt und geht auf alte keltische Bräuche zurück

A riot with tradition

The Allgäu shows its spooky side in December. With horns and rods, "Klausen" drive away evil spirits. With him is Matthias Hecht

Die Werkstatt von Anton Ostler in Klais bei Mittenwald

Crafted carnival mask by Anton Ostler

Between Epiphany and Shrove Tuesday, wild men bearing strange names move through Mittenwald, their faces hidden behind beautifully crafted masks

Aschaffenburg: Schloss Johannisburg am Main

Mediterranean on the River Main

Aschaffenburg combines the best of several regions in terms of lifestyle and cuisine. Our reporter introduces his hometown.

Nürnberg: Panorama der historischen Altstadt

11 rainproof tips for Nuremberg

Are you on holiday in Nuremberg and it's raining all day? No worries! Here are 11 tips to help you discover the city even when the weather is rubbish.