SouthWest Germany hosts many different and beautiful Christmas markets. In this newsletter we highlight a few of our favorites! In the Stuttgart region, there are three distinct choices to enjoy: Stuttgart City, Esslingen Medieval Market and Ludwigsburg's Baroque Market. Only one hour away, the charming university city of Heidelberg glows with seasonal illuminations in the Old City and beautiful lights strung up along the palace ruins. A sweet variation on the Christmas market is Germany's largest chocolate festival, Chocol'Art, which returns for its tenth year in Tübingen from December 1 to 6! Over 100 international top chocolatiers travel to the picturesque town of Tübingen to create and celebrate one of our favorite things: chocolate! To the south, on the shores of Lake Constance, the views from the Constance (Konstanz) Christmas Market are absolutely breathtaking with the snow covered Alpine peaks in the background. Nature and all of its winter magic can also be seen deep in the heart of the Black Forest, where a small Christmas market underneath German's steepest railway track glows with twinkling lights and warmed mulled wine.   

Stuttgart Region: Three Christmases in One! 

Celebrate Christmas in Stuttgart and be enchanted by over 300 years of tradition! At the Stuttgart Christmas market there are over 290 stands selling precious Christmas decorations; browse the stands while holding your cup of hot mulled wine and surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights. The Stuttgart Christmas Market is one of the oldest in Europe, founded in 1642, and the largest in Germany stretching out from the Old Castle to the Marktplatz (city center). While visiting Stuttgart, venture out to its surrounding region to see more enchanting Christmas markets. In Esslingen, about a half hour drive from Stuttgart, is the Medieval Christmas Market, which offers guests a look at a time long gone. At the medieval Christmas market, the workers wear centuries old traditional costumes and sell their wares while glass blowers, fire breathers and jugglers entertain visitors of all ages!  A short trip farther is the Ludwigsburg Baroque Christmas Market, Ludwigsburg is one of the largest baroque castles still complete in its original furnishings and architecture in Europe, and during Christmas it transforms into nothing short of magical.  Decorated with thousands of twinkle lights and angels, walk through the Christmas market to feel like royalty from hundreds of years ago.   Stuttgart

Heidelberg Glows at Christmas

One of Europe's most charming university cities is at its most romantic during the Yuletide season. With cobbled streets and baroque styled houses, dramatic castle ruins, everything is picture-perfect. One thing that cannot be missed is visiting the Heidelberg Castle during the Christmas season. From December 3 to December 15, head up to the castle either by foot or with the cable car to enjoy seasonally decorated pagoda tents featuring local artists offering their handcrafts made of felt, wool, glass wood, ceramic and leather. Relish beautiful views of the city from the Stückgarten (Castle Garden) and enjoy music ringing out of the historic castle chapel. From November 23 to January 10, in front of the romantic backdrop of the castle, ice-skating at the Karlsplatz ice rink, is one of the most festive activities. In the Old Town, there are more than 140 stalls filled with handcrafts and Christmas delicacies. The centerpiece of Old Town's market at Universitätsplatz (University Square) is open from November 23 to December 22; there are silk paintings, hand blown glass-objects, candle houses and gifts from around the world. Children will also love the nostalgic horse carousel right in the middle of the square. Heidelberg

Chocol'ART Tübingen: Chocolate becomes Art and is still Delicious

Germany's largest chocolate festival, Chocol'ART returns for its tenth year in Tübingen from December 1 to 6! Over 100 international top chocolatiers travel from Africa, South and North America and Europe to the picturesque university town of Tübingen to celebrate one of our favorite things: chocolate! Unsurprisingly, this festival attracts over 300,000 chocolate and Christmas lovers to Old Town City Center. Visitors can expect a wide range of their favorite delicacy from melt in your mouth confections to handmade fine chocolate. On the historical market square of Tübingen, in the enchanting ambience of the illuminated timbered house, visitors will find the transparent confectionery chocolateROOM. Top confectioners from all over Baden-Württemberg present their skills live and visitors can witness the production of the chocolate marshmallow "CHOCOlino" and chocolate art being created.  There will be chances to learn more about the creation of chocolate and witness how certain pralines are created.  This is an experience for the whole family and for chocolate lovers from all around the world.  Chocol'ART

Christmas by Land and by Lake in Konstanz

Located on Lake Constance (Bodensee), Germany's largest lake, the views at this Christmas market are absolutely breathtaking with the snow covered alpine peaks in the background. During Advent, more than 130 Christmas Market stalls are lined with traders offering traditional arts and crafts, Christmas gifts, and local delicacies including the Käsespätzle.  The majority of the vendors come from the Constance (Konstanz) region and offers local wares and traditions.  If you are looking to leave the mainland, hop onto the Constance Christmas Ship, which is moored at the quay wall in the harbor. There is a special atmosphere that is palpable when you board the ship and stroll through the stands on board. Constance is uniquely located in close proximity to Switzerland, Austria and Lichtenstein and is an ideal spot for a holiday destination.  Lake Konstanz

Black Forest Christmas Market in the Ravenna Gorge