Visiting Germany In The Winter

Winter time is a great time to visit Germany.

It’s been several days now since Nick and I returned from our three week trip to Germany. We were fortunate to be able to spend the Christmas Holidays and New Year’s celebration 2013/2014 with my parents and brother in my hometown of Schweinfurt. Visiting Germany in the winter time is wonderful!

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We enjoyed visiting several Christmas Markets during our visit to Germany.

Looking at hand made decorations, colorful and fragrant candles combined with the smell of freshly baked cookies and sweets, bratwursts, hot wine and nuts is thrilling and brings back so many childhood memories for me.

Zum Wohl!  Michael and Silke drinking Hot Mulled Wine

Downtown Schweinfurt, Germany

Feed your soul and warm your heart in Germany

Strolling towards the Christmas Market in Bad Kissingen, Germany

The German towns are decorated beautifully during the Christmas season.

During the winter months there are tons of lights in the streets and in peoples windows. This is the first time I saw dropping LED light strings, they are pretty cool and I’m sure we’ll seen them in the US by next year.

It can be hard trying to figure out what to pack while visiting Germany in the winter time. The temperatures can range from a high of about 45 degrees Fahrenheit to well below freezing, depending on where in the country you are. It may or may not snow at any time from late November to early March. Be sure to pack a warm jacket, hat and gloves, and clothes you can layer and mix and match. A pair of warm, sturdy shoes is also a must. German winters can be very unpredictable. There is no guarantee for snow, but you should always be prepared for rain.

We had a brown Christmas season this year which was just fine by us, but both Nick and I caught a nasty cold anyway. Luckily we were not sick at the same time and a little cough syrup, some hot tea and rest took care of it pretty swiftly. We celebrated Christmas Eve with a small traditional meal, exchanging gifts and going to the Midnight Mass. We were served hot mulled wine after the church service which made for a wonderful time meeting a few old friends and neighbors.

Bringing in the New Year with a Bang! I always enjoyed New Years Eve celebrations in Germany.

What’s there not to like? We had a great time dancing at the local ‘Gasthaus Duerr am Bergl’ and made it outside in time to watch the fireworks. The louder the bangs are on New Years Eve the better the coming year will be!

New Years Celebration

We met up with my high school girl friend Monika (we went to a Russian Disco), Nick and I went to a local ice hockey game, ‘Go Mighty Dogs’ (they won 6 – 2), we took some day trips and ate lots of German meals (the best of them cooked by my Mom who is a fantastic cook). Most of all we enjoyed spending time with my Mom, Dad and brother Mike in Germany.

There are always so many pictures to choose from, it’s hard to pick just a few. Here is a random selection that I thought you might like to see.

Silke and Monika – Best Friends Forever (since 1985)

During a day trip to Bad Kissingen

Our little Christmas tree that looked so pretty

The kitchen is always the most comfortable

That’s actually a bread stick not a cigar

Watching the ‘Mighty Dogs’ kick ASS!

Here I am, eating again.

Nick the Birthday boy enjoying cake and coffee

Silke’s Mom and Dad wish you a ‘Gutes Neues Jahr!’ Happy New Year!

Now that we unpacked our bags from visiting Germany in the winter, it’s time to start packing for our upcoming trip to Belize. How does one pack for a 3 months stay in Central America?

Did you like this article about our trip to Germany in the winter? Please leave us a comment below.