Seven Sisters Loud & Crazy Christmas Market Tour

Two weeks touring the top markets in Europe

In about ten days the Christmas markets will open across Germany. Last year at this time a plane landed in Frankfurt from Toronto with precious cargo when my sisters arrived for a two week tour of some of Europe’s finest Christmas markets. It was a plan hatched a few years prior but due to the pandemic, had to be postponed.

In 2022, it was finally happening!

The minivan arrives in Heidelberg from the airport. Maureen - the master planner of the agenda - is first off the bus. Theresa is waiting for her hug.

Maureen did most of the planning, deciding which cities we should hit, how much we could fit into our itinerary, and ensuring hotels were near the train stations or city centres. Did you know that most train stations in Europe are located in the city centres? Except for Heidelberg - where the train station was relocated outside of the old city in the 1950s.

We toyed with the idea of driving from city to city but decided it would be too much of a hassle. Luckily the trains were punctual and warm. We booked first class and made sure to book the “talkie” compartments because how can you expect seven sisters not to chatter while travelling together.

To clarify, we were five sisters and two sisters-in-law. The official members of the Seven Sisters Loud and Crazy Christmas Market Tour were:

1. Sue (eldest brother Michael’s lovely partner, always ready for a pre-dinner drink)

2. Maureen (#6 in the family)

3. Sheilagh (#7 in the family)

4. Victoria (Sheilagh’s sister-in-law, entertaining and excellent company)

5. Mary Ann (#8 in the family)

6. Theresa (#11 in the family)

7. And myself (#10)

   

   In Prague. From left: Angela, Theresa, Vicky, Mary Ann, Sue, Sheilagh, Maureen.

We had support from a local agency to book our train tickets and hotels but otherwise, figured out what to do ourselves. Our route took us from the west of Germany to the east, south to the Czech Republic, down to Austria and back to Germany. This was our itinerary:

• Heidelberg

• Dresden

• Prague

• Vienna

• Nuremberg

• Frankfurt

Top left: Queuing for the loo in Dresden; top center: Theresa, Maureen and Mary Ann shopping in Nuremberg with our matching Virgin Mary sacs; top right, waiting for our tour guide; bottom left: Sheilagh and Vicky outside one of the many patisseries we visited; bottom middle: Sue, Maureen and Vicky on the train to Prague; bottom right: Sheilagh and Theresa at the Landmann Café in Vienna.

What did we buy? I’ll let my sisters answer in the comments. Suffice it to say, some of us contributed to the local economy and at least one person had to buy an extra suitcase. There were so many lovely handmade items from blown glass creche scenes to ceramic tree ornaments, stollen, and homemade hooch.

Sue found the perfect gift of schnapps in Nuremberg.

And just like when we were young, we shared rooms.

At least we had our own beds! Mary Ann, Theresa and I made a good team.

I’ve not been very helpful here about which markets to visit so will ask my sisters to chime in with their favourite markets and most memorable moments.

Are you ready for Christmas? Have you been to any Christmas markets? Which was your favourite?

xxAngela