Following Christmas Lights Across Europe

History, culture, and family bonding blended seamlessly with Christmas traditions, surrounded by stories, snow, and shared smiles.

It was finally time to explore new festive landscapes with my family. After experiencing the enchanting Christmas markets in 2014 and 2018 as a Global Voyages tour leader in Austria and Hungary, this much-awaited family journey took us through Amsterdam, Brussels, Cologne, Nuremberg, and Berlin.

This part of the tour was especially close to my heart, as it was not just another travel plan but a family Christmas vacation. Slow, meaningful, and rooted in togetherness, it let us experience Europe beyond schedules and checklists, focusing instead on moments and memories.

This time, we chose the road less travelled. Instead of trains, we hired a car and drove through the European countryside, past snow-dusted fields, silent villages, winding roads, and frozen lakes. With time on our side, we embraced offbeat experiences and slower travel, with no rush—only shared laughter, spontaneous halts, warm conversations, and the quiet joy of Europe’s winter magic at our own pace.

Soft snow was falling when we stepped into our first Christmas market. The lights shimmered gently, carols floated through the cold air, and our hands wrapped tightly around warm cups of mulled wine and hot chocolate. It felt comforting and magical, as if Christmas itself was welcoming us with open arms.

We began our journey in Berlin, a city layered with history, resilience, and hope. At Christmas, it feels reflective yet festive. One must-see landmark was the Brandenburg Gate, built in the 18th century as a symbol of peace. It has witnessed Napoleon’s invasion, Nazi parades, and the division of the Cold War, and today stands as a powerful emblem of German reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Seeing it beautifully illuminated during Christmas, with dinner nearby, was deeply moving.

The next day, we explored the Berlin Wall Memorial and the East Side Gallery, where preserved sections of the wall are covered with murals by artists from around the world. These artworks tell powerful stories of separation, struggle, freedom, and hope. Walking along this historic stretch made us pause and reflect on how history shapes nations and individual lives.

We also visited Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to five remarkable museums showcasing ancient civilisations, classical art, and European heritage. It felt like travelling through centuries in just a few hours.

As evening approached, we admired the festive elegance of Charlottenburg Palace, a Baroque residence once home to Prussian royalty. Later, we wandered through Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower area, alive with winter energy and glowing Christmas lights. The highlight was Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin’s most elegant Christmas market, where handcrafted art, woollens, ornaments, and the aroma of spiced wine filled the air. We sipped mulled wine with amaretto and enjoyed classic German snacks like currywurst and bratwurst, which tasted even better in the chilly weather.

Our next destination was Nuremberg, a city steeped in mediaeval history and Christmas tradition. Once a key centre of the Holy Roman Empire, it still preserves its old-world charm. We wandered through the Old Town with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, climbed up to Nuremberg Castle for panoramic city views, and ended at Hauptmarkt Square, the festive heart alive with lights, music, and joyful crowds.

We also visited St Lorenz Church, a magnificent Gothic masterpiece that added a sense of peace to our walk. In the evening, we explored the legendary Christkindlesmarkt, one of Europe’s oldest and most traditional Christmas markets, dating back to the 16th century. Red-and-white stalls displayed miniature wooden toys, angel ornaments, and festive crafts. We sampled Nuremberg’s famous Lebkuchen gingerbread and sipped hot chocolate from collectible mugs. Spending two days here felt like stepping into a living Christmas postcard.

We then travelled to Cologne, a city shaped by Roman roots and mediaeval grandeur. The highlight was the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s finest Gothic structures. Standing beneath its towering spires at Christmas felt deeply humbling. Nearby Christmas markets offered Rhineland crafts, live music, and festive treats. We sampled Reibekuchen potato pancakes and strolled along the Rhine River Promenade, where colourful Old Town houses reflected softly in the winter light.

Spending five winter days across Germany was deeply enriching, as history, culture, family bonding, and Christmas traditions blended beautifully. From here, our journey continued to Belgium and the Netherlands, promising more warmth, local hospitality, and unforgettable festive moments.

Exploring the world is a never-ending journey—the more we see, the more our hearts long for more. And travelling during Christmas, surrounded by stories, snow, and shared smiles, makes that longing even stronger.

So stay tuned, as the next and final part unfolds an even more magical European Christmas story — memories of heartwarming local hospitality that glow softly in the heart, just like Christmas lights on a winter evening.

(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. She could be contacted at goglobalvoyages@gmail.com. Views personal.)