David is just back from 8 weeks on the road in Europe. Travel is back and people are flying across the pond to experience many destinations. Singles, families, and groups were spotted in all the predictable locations, such as Rome, Paris, Dublin, and London. But the smaller locales still seem laid-back and in tourism recovery mode. Vax or No Vax did not seem to matter, and testing to enter a country were few and far between. Join David tonight as he reports on his travels, offers advice, and how the world has adapted in this (post) pandemic era.
There are a lot more of my Travel Talk Tuesday episodes in the archives. If you are looking for more information, videos, or advice about European travel, check here https://davidmcguffin.com/ttt
From the Munich Airport, it is a 50 minute S-Bahn (local train) ride into Munich (München) historic town center. The main square, Marienplatz, is alive with activity at any time of the year, but at Christmas, it is festive and filled with the Christkindl Markt (Christ Child Market).
This is Marienplatz. Notice the Christmas Tree, a very important item in any Bavaria town square. Each year, a “perfect” tree is donated from an alpine village in Germany and displayed and decorated in Marienplatz. The village whose tree is selected has the honor of serving their own special recipe Glühwein on the city hall’s courtyard.
The Christmas Tree with the new town hall in the background. The Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) is the ornate building towering over the square. Smack-dab in the center is the glockenspiel which puts on a “show” for all to see at 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00 every day.
Notice this souvenir mug. It promotes Munich’s Christ Child Market 2019 (München Christkindl Markt 2019). Munich and all of Bavaria were once part of the Holy Roman Empire and became the last northern bastion defending the Church against Martin Luther and his reformers in the 16th century. Therefore, Bavaria today is still heavily Catholic (almost 50%) when it comes to religion.
Every Christmas market has its own souvenir ceramic mug. When purchasing your hot drink, notice a placard stating the price of the drink and the deposit (pfand). This deposit ranges from €3-4 per cup. When finished, either keep the mug or return it to get your deposit returned. Often there will be a queue and sign for the mug return (pfandrückgabe).
Fröhliche Weihnachten!
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Do you want to learn more about traveling to Europe? There is a wealth of information and special discount pricing on my tours at https://davidmcguffin.com/.
David McGuffin is Founder and CEO of David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., based in Middleburg, Florida. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+,LinkedIn and YouTube. David spends his time in Europe organizing and leading small group and independent tours to European destinations. In business since 2001, David has provided exceptional travel opportunities to several thousand satisfied customers. You can find out more about David and his European tours at his website, https://davidmcguffin.com.
The Munich Airport’s (MUC) Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are linked by a big outdoor covered square, which during December, is turned into a traditional Christmas Market. “Christmas” in German is Weihnachts and market is markt. This adds an extra layer of festive fun to the already customer-friendly airport center.
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Last night was Friday, and the market was filled! Travelers, pulling suitcases, mixed with hundreds of locals out for a night the town. A Christmas market brings everyone together for a common cause… bundle up, visit with friends, get some authentic German “carney” food, have a drink, and enjoy the festive evening.
There are many locations in Europe where I often say, “You can’t do this in Middleburg,” my little hometown in Florida. Especially during the holiday season, we at home tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle about shopping for relatives, attending Christmas parties, and going through the motions of the holiday, without slowing down an enjoying the experience.
The folks I encountered last night in the market were there to relax, slow down, shop, and enjoy visiting with friends. Stopping for a snack, Charlotte and I were standing at an outdoor table with people we did not know, yet we all had a good experience there together. There were a couple of young ladies at the next table with two Yorkie dogs tethered to the wrists. The dogs loved it! Perfect beggers and fierce to bark when challenged!
We are traveling around several Austria and Bavaria town this coming week, and I hope you will check in here often to see what’s going on in my world.
Fröhliche Weihnachten!
If you found this article informative, please share it with your friends, family, coworkers, and associates. If you have something to add, just leave a comment in the box below.
Do you want to learn more about traveling to Europe? There is a wealth of information and special discount pricing on my tours at https://davidmcguffin.com/.
David McGuffin is Founder and CEO of David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe, Inc., based in Middleburg, Florida. You can connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+,LinkedIn and YouTube. David spends his time in Europe organizing and leading small group and independent tours to European destinations. In business since 2001, David has provided exceptional travel opportunities to several thousand satisfied customers. You can find out more about David and his European tours at his website, https://davidmcguffin.com.
We arrived at the MUC Munich Airport this morning, and by 8:00, we were through passport contral and customs. Charlotte and I are here to lead tours visiting the Christmas Markets in Salzburg, Nürnberg, Rothenburg, and Munich.
After checking into the Hilton Hotel Munich Airport, we slept off the jet-lag, freshened up, and visited the airport Weihnachts (Christmas) Market.
This market is under the enormous glass-covered outdoor square located between Terminals 1 and 2. Known as the MAC (Munich Airport Centre), this square is always bustling with activity any time of year, but at Christmas, it is most delightful.
There are many wooden stalls staffed with vendors selling winter clothing, ornaments, hand-made wooden crafts, and all sorts of items perfect for gifting.
Here is our snack – flatbread with veg and salmon and hot mulled Glüwein.
This is Marienplatz. Notice the Christmas Tree, a very important item in any Bavaria town square. Each year, a “perfect” tree is donated from an alpine village in Germany and displayed and decorated in Marienplatz. The village whose tree is selected has the honor of serving their own special recipe Glühwein on the city hall’s courtyard. 
The Christmas Tree with the new town hall in the background. The Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) is the ornate building towering over the square. Smack-dab in the center is the glockenspiel which puts on a “show” for all to see at 11:00, 12:00, and 17:00 every day.
Notice this souvenir mug. It promotes Munich’s Christ Child Market 2019 (München Christkindl Markt 2019). Munich and all of Bavaria were once part of the Holy Roman Empire and became the last northern bastion defending the Church against Martin Luther and his reformers in the 16th century. Therefore, Bavaria today is still heavily Catholic (almost 50%) when it comes to religion. 
The folks I encountered last night in the market were there to relax, slow down, shop, and enjoy visiting with friends. Stopping for a snack, Charlotte and I were standing at an outdoor table with people we did not know, yet we all had a good experience there together. There were a couple of young ladies at the next table with two Yorkie dogs tethered to the wrists. The dogs loved it! Perfect beggers and fierce to bark when challenged!
