Grand Ammjays Fairview Inn

The German Christmas Market is one of life's little reminders to slow down and smell the roses - in this case the gingerbread. In every city of any size - even in most villages in Germany Christmas markets are a local tradition, and many of them, such as the market in Nurnberg, go back to the Middle Ages. European Christmas markets (or Fairs) are popular, but the markets are best in Germany, the country that virtually invented Christmas. Are you considering a European getaway? Of all the tours to Germany you are likely to take, a Christmas market tour will stay with you the longest. The sight of a town square bathed in soft light with artisans and merchants selling one-of-a-kind Christmas decorations, toys, candles, German Christmas ornaments and other treasures quickly works its magic on you. It melts the stress and releases the endorphins. If you're lucky, you'll hear a group of minstrels making the rounds. You'll take in the unforgettable aroma of roasting chestnuts, or nosh on a Bratwurst (sausage) or a piece of Lebkuchen (gingerbread). And a mug of hot mulled wine or glass of the local beer will never taste as good.

Christmas markets have been around in some form since the 1400s in Dresden, Germany, but it has only really been in recent years that they have become more popular, and have started to appear in the towns and city centres here in the UK. Whilst they are primarily a shopping opportunity, a lot of people will take advantage of the social and culinary side of Christmas markets, the food and drinks are often warm and welcoming - just the trick when the temperature is lower in winter.

With many stalls selling Stollen and Bratwurst, mulled wine and egg nog, there are plenty of festive treats to enjoy at your local Christmas market, but the best experience has to be going to the source itself by visiting one of the many original Christmas markets that still exist in Germany and other European destinations.

In this tiny town tucked away in the hills of the state of Thuringia, Lauscha, local artisans invented the blown-glass Christmas ornament (Kugel), as we know it. That was over 100 years ago. Today, the town throws an annual Kugel Festival - Kugelmarkt, where family workshops and small factories from the area put their fascinating glass Christmas decorations on display. The market is held on two weekends: 27-28 November and 4-5 December 2010. Most tours of Germany are prone to overlook small but delightful places like Kulmach - unjustifiably so. This northern Bavarian town bills itself as one of Germany's best traditional brewing centers, so a visit to the Christmas Fair there can be teamed up with some fun beer-tasting. Try Kulmbach gingerbread beer (Lebkuchenbier), the strong winter Eisbock or special Christmas brew (Weihnachtsbier). Weekends. December 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19, 2010. The Moenchshof Courtyard will also host a market sponsored by the Bavarian Brewery and Bakery Museum.

The cookies are a legend for themselves. They are based on a mixture of flour, eggs, sugar and then there are added such ingredients as hazelnuts, honey, almonds, jellies. These cookies are baked in various forms and shapes like stars, small trees, half-moons and other pretty forms. They are mainly prepared before Christmas and eaten during the Dresden Germany Holiday. We cannot forget the "berliner". It is called like this in the four corners of the country, but not in Berlin. For the city of Berlin, a "berliner" is a person who lives in this town. This is a pancake, stuffed with jellies or with vanilla cream. It is baked in oil and then covered with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. The berliner is typical for Carnival.