Christmas markets are as much about the treats as they are about the decorations, the shopping the children's rides - and when it comes to snacking, or even enjoying a full on meal, you really can't go wrong. I would recommend not donning any tight clothing because these markets can be a belly-busting experience if you don't pace yourself.
Hot Wine: Mulled wine, gluhwein, vin chaud, glogg: They are all slightly different and you need to try each one. Most are spiced red wine served hot and in mugs but you can find white wine versions or you can add liquor such as rum or amaretto.
Feuerzangenbowle is the next step after mulled wine and available in many German Christmas markets. It includes sugar, soaked in rum and set on fire.
For the kiddos, there is always kinderpunsch, which is gluhwein without the alcohol-often a fruit juice such as apple or cherry juice sweetened with honey, served warm.
Sweets: Have your sweet tooth at the ready because there is no lack of sugary treats, which play a key role in holiday traditions around the world.
Clearly, the French have cornered the market on confections such as lollipops, marzipan and pastries such as pretzel-shaped donuts topped with sugar and crepes served with Nutella. The Germans have mastered the stollens, pretzels and the "snowball," which are round breaded pastries covered in sugar in their most basic form but also can be covered in other sweets like chocolate and nuts.
Gingerbread is another must. It comes in all different forms, shapes and sizes from chocolate-covered cookies to artfully decorated gingerbread men to free cookies served alongside gluhwein.
[READMORE]READ MORE: 4 Ways to Celebrate Christmastime in Dresden [/READMORE]
Sausages: A German bratwurst sausage is really the completion of any Christmas market experience. A favorite is currywurst, which is sausages covered in ketchup and curry spices, but there are all different varieties available, cooked to perfection over an open fire. They are often served with French Fries and rolls as well as with a variety of garnishes such as onions, mustard and mayonnaise.
Roasted chestnuts: Really the theme of all of these markets is to warm up your belly as you shop for holiday goodies. There's nothing like some warm chestnuts to do the trick. Warm up your hands and your belly as you scarf these goodies down. They seem to be universally available at Christmas markets and, in Germany, they are called "maroni."
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