Dec 15 - 30, 2012. It was a very memorable Trip. Not only I got to revisit my favorite cities Paris and Venice, we also had the chance to explore new places. Christmas markets and food are definitely our most favorite part of the trip. Despite the winter weather and shorter day time, we had such a blast seeing things and trying different food. During the mid trip we met up with my sister, her boyfriend (now fiance') and a great friend in Germany, which only made the trip better :)
Paris
Place de la Concorde - night time Christmas market shopping. It was a big Christmas market on Avenue des Champs-Élysées. From afar it was absolutely gorgeous. In terms of the vendors and the goods they sell, I'd have to say it was a bit disappointing because it felt more like a street fair.
Vendome
Arc de Triomphe @ night
@ Daytime
La Defense - Business District. There's a decent Christmas market in the center of the plaza. There was a pretty good one for scented soaps.
Eiffel Tower - We went there at 9. Bought ticket for the highest level and went up there in 40 mins. Maybe it was winter and a bit rainy? The queue was not bad at all. Last time I lined up during the day for over 2 hours.
View of Arc de Triomphe from Eiffel Tower
Venice
Always a favorite, I love the famous water town, regardless of how touristy it is. The little hidden local cafes/restaurants are my favorite. They hide mysteriously in narrow alleys and welcome you with warmth. To get the most out of Venice, go outside of the St. Marco area and walk to (or take the ferry to) other sestieri (Administrative District) like Castello, Dorsoduro and Cannaregio. The local neighborhoods are truly nostalgic and charming. The map is complex but the entire city is all walkable.
Christmas lighting along the alley
Misty night @ Ponte Rialto
St Marco
Along the Grand Canal
Facing Ponte Rialto on Grand Canal
The only bridge without parapet in Venice in the Costello district (the other one is in Torcello)
On Ponte Rialto
Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) - It was the bridge that connected the court and the prison, it was the last chance for the prisoner to get the last glance of Venice before losing his/her freedom. The myth is that if you and your love are on the gondola and kiss when you pass the under the bridge, then you will enjoy lasting love.
Gondolas
Murano
Find some time to hit the ferry to Murano and see the world famous glass production.
Burano
Unfortunately we got there late and the beautiful and colorful houses looked misty :(
Prague
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square)
The Christmas market in Prague is pretty good, there are lots of local eats . Watch out for the food portion, in Prague many vendors weigh the portion of your food (by grams). One time we got a big scoop of gnocchi on a plate and cost us $15!
On the way to Pražský hrad (Prague Castle). The view of the city from the ramp up to the castle is stunning. Look down often! :)
Zlatá ulička (Golden Lane) - where the artisans of the castle used to reside. Very little houses (or maybe we've grown much bigger and taller these days?)
St. Vitus Cathedral @ Prague Castle
View of Malá Strana (Lesser Town) You will pass the Karlův most (Charles Bridge) when you walk back from the Castle towards Old Town Square. Again, stop often, there are a lot of famous statues on the bridge, and the view of the city is picturesque
Try their local pastry Trdelrjk - It's a sweet roll that's really crispy yet soft.
Nürnberg
Nuremberg
Bavaria
The Nurnberger Christmas Market was absolutely our favorite one. The vendors mainly concentrated in the Main market area (Hauptmarkt). Besides the yummy Nurnberger sausages, the goods that they sell are very traditional and good quality. We love the fruit cake, gingerbread cookies, nutcrackers, toy smokers and decorations. It was very crowded but festive.
We were there 23rd to 25th, unfortunately things closed early and it was pretty tough to find food at night. There's a very good restaurant named Bratwurst Röslein in the main market
On the way to Nürnberger Burg (Nuremberg Castle)
Baden-Baden
Baden-
Württemberg
A world-famous spa town located at the border of France and Germany, on the west side of the Black Forest. Baden-Baden combines the French and the German cultures. It was Christmas day when we got there. A bit quiet but we managed to find the Christmas market open and the Leopoldsplatz is a nice shopping area. We had a very nice local cuisine (deer/fish) for our Christmas dinner. The next day we went to enjoy a spa day at the Caracalla and later that night, celebrated my sister and her boyfriend's engagement. Congrats!
Leopoldsplatz
Christmas Market
Black Forest Cake! When I was little, I promised myself that I had to try to real Black Forest Cake in Black Forest. I guess this was it!
Strasbourg, Alsace
Strasbourg is a small city bordering Germany. Honestly it is pretty German to me. (the structures etc). The Alsace The Petite France has Neolithic style timbered framing houses which is very historical and neat.
That is for our trip. We would love to go back to all the places in a heartbeat!
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