Christmas markets river cruises 2022 infos and tips

[Host Jazzbeau]

On 11/10/2022 at 1:31 AM, steamboats said:

after one month I thought I know every excuse for a delayed train. No, they still can surprise me.

 

steamboats

 

13 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Steamboats have you heard the one about the ‘wrong leaves on the track’?

 

Some years ago when I used to listen to the morning rush hour reports on radio, the Long Island Rail Road had a terrible reputation [maybe it still does, don't pay attention any more – retirement is great!] for delays caused by every possible type of weather:  too cold, too hot, too rainy, etc.  One beautiful spring day, sunny and balmy, they again had delays – which the dj-comedian Gene Klavan attributed to the weather being "too nice."  🤣

[LibertyBella]

What a great thread!  No, I am not traveling during Christmas, as our work schedules do not allow this now, but reading everybody's posts certainly puts me in a festive frame of mind!  I wish all of you a wonderful experience, and I will put this trip on my bucket list.

[Canal archive]

Apart from anything else there is a distinct benefit of having the brothers Lidle & Aldi in our country access to all those German Christmas goodies, no more searching out specialist importers or trying to make our own dodgy versions (in my case). 
One year travelling through Austria & Germany towards the end of the year with friends (he had been pretty high up during the wind up and clearance at that certain time) in Vienna near the big (ferris) wheel we all partook of the most fabulous Gluevein and Both of us ladies got distinctly squiffy.

Edited November 12, 2022 by Canal archive

[notamermaid]

3 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Lidle & Aldi

Did you know, Lidl in England is more upmarket than in Germany. When both Lidl and Aldi started in England they were both too "cheap looking and German" to compete with the traditional supermarkets in Britain. They have learnt and when I was in a newly-built Lidl in the North of England I was impressed. Here at home I never go to Lidl but cannot resist buying some items at Aldi as the quality is so good. I have in fact just looked at the Aldi brochure for next week and, my, they have some goodies on offer.

 

I do it the other way round and will by some English biscuits, Christmas pudding and other stuff from an online retailer, probably one based in Germany and one based in England.

 

Panettone, the Italian cake, is quite popular in Germany and you can get it at well-stocked retailers.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[Canal archive]

They have improved and I think Aldi is considered better than Lidl so you learn to pick and choose. Just about everyone stocks Panettone although I’ve yet to find one that’s not dry.

[Host Jazzbeau]

We don't have Lidl near us (I think they are in other parts of the US), but Aldi is definitely downmarket in appearance.  I went once in search of Kringle when the season had ended at Trader Joe's, and both the store and the Kringle were unsatisfactory...

[notamermaid]

4 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Just about everyone stocks Panettone although I’ve yet to find one that’s not dry.

That tends to be the problem. I had the pleasure of being able to share one last Christmas, a very good quality from an online luxury retailer, not dry at all.

 

Stollen can be a bit hit and miss, i.e. dry, and I only get it fresh from bakers not a supermarket.

 

notamermaid

 

[Canal archive]

Lucky you no way can I find fresh Stollen in a bakers.

[notamermaid]

17 minutes ago, Canal archive said:

Lucky you no way can I find fresh Stollen in a bakers.

A pity but understandable in your area. I wonder if an area of London has such a baker who does that? I know a couple of German restaurants exist but I am not sure about bakers. I have seen German artisan bread in the past but it is rare I think.

 

Funny how we crave each other's food. I would love to have pigs in blankets but alas the EU will not allow me to import them. I would have to drive more than sixty miles to get any proper British sausages these days and the supply is very limited. Sadly, my favourite online dealer has stopped meat deliveries.

 

notamermaid

 

[worldtraveller99]

You can make pigs in blankets with sausages and bacon, I am sure that would be nicer than bought ones anyway.

[CPT Trips]

Trivia time. 
Aldi and Lidl are not related in any other than each originated in Germany. 
Aldi was started by two brothers, the Albrechts. They had a business disagreement,  not as serious as that of the Dassler brothers, and agreed to split and operate cooperatively in different areas of Germany. One corporation is Aldi Süd; the other is Aldi Nord. 
Aldi Süd expanded into the US as the Aldi we know. They operate similarly to the way they do in Germany. 
Aldi Nord later decided to operate in the US. Rather than split the country and also operate under the Aldi name as they did in Germany, they acquired and operate as Trader Joe’s. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

6 hours ago, notamermaid said:

A pity but understandable in your area. I wonder if an area of London has such a baker who does that? I know a couple of German restaurants exist but I am not sure about bakers. I have seen German artisan bread in the past but it is rare I think.

 

Funny how we crave each other's food. I would love to have pigs in blankets but alas the EU will not allow me to import them. I would have to drive more than sixty miles to get any proper British sausages these days and the supply is very limited. Sadly, my favourite online dealer has stopped meat deliveries.

 

notamermaid

Many years ago I took a gourmet walking tour of San Francisco.  One of the stops (a block or two off Washington Square) was a bakery that made Eccles Cakes.  I wonder if they still make them (I'm sure the English expat baker is long gone, maybe the bakery is too...)

[Canal archive]

One of the first things I learnt to bake were Eccles cakes, so random

[steamboats]

Aldi Süd and Nord are working together since a while although they are still different chains. But they advertise together and offer the same products (you will find both logos on the product). Back to the Christmas food... Aldi Süd offers Mini Pannetone for 99 ct in their gourment line. They also offer Glühwein next week for 1.79 Euro/Liter. Anyway Edeka has the same Glühwein next week as special offer for 1 Euro. Not that I would buy any as this is totally oversugared.

 

But for those who want to have Glühwein at home... go to a grocery store and buy Glühweingewürz - it´s the spices you need in a tea bag. Then chose your own wine (red or white) and add some orange juice (and peel) and the "tea bag spice". The spice is less bulky and won´t break in your suitcase ;-). The most popular is called GlühFix by Teekanne.

 

You can also mix it your own...

2 pieces of cinnamon

3-4 star anise

dried lemon and orange peel

5 cloves

 

Grind all up in a blender. Optional spices are vanilla (dried powder), ginger (dried), cardamom, nutmeg, allspice. Use one teaspoon of the spice mix for one liter.

 

steamboats

[cleobella]

Great info again, notamermaid! We love going to local grocery stores when we travel. It's interesting to see what kind of local brands are carried. We'll check Edeka and Rewe out as well as the christmas market vendors and the bakeries and specialty shops. I just can't wait!! Steamboats, I think the 

Stollen, Bamkuchen and of course gingerbread will be perfect, thank you for the ideas! 

[Let Me Travel!]

Wow! What a great thread! We are going on the “Christmas on the Elbe” in 2023!!!….now that it’s getting closer to the holiday season, I’m wanting to find info….I still have over a year to go! We will be on the river on Christmas Eve and in Prague on Christmas Day - does Viking do anything special? I can’t wait to walk the markets!  My problem will be “over buying” and not having room in my suitcase to bring it all home!

[notamermaid]

22 hours ago, worldtraveller99 said:

You can make pigs in blankets with sausages and bacon, I am sure that would be nicer than bought ones anyway.

Thank you for the suggestion. Last  year, I tried to get the type of sausage that is used in my local shops but it proved to difficult. Now that you have reminded me, I will try again and see if I can find a butchers that can help me.

 

Got my first Christmas biscuits today! From a bakers on the Moselle. Buttery swirls (sort of) with a bit of cinnamon and spice taste. Nice.

 

notamermaid

 

[PKNC]

We are going on a Basel-Amsterdam Rhine cruise in December. What currency would we need to buy small ticket items like food and beverages? Are credit cards accepted in general? We'll mainly be in Germany, but stopping in Strasbourg as well.

[notamermaid]

45 minutes ago, PKNC said:

What currency would we need to buy small ticket items like food and beverages?

In Germany only Euros are accepted.

 

51 minutes ago, PKNC said:

Are credit cards accepted in general?

Yes, but make sure you have some cash for the markets and the occasional place/shop that happens to have no machine payment. A few places may be debit card only.

 

Not sure about Strasbourg (basically Euros but may be more open to others) or Basel, I leave that for the experienced cruisers to answer.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[notamermaid]

On 11/13/2022 at 11:17 AM, steamboats said:

But for those who want to have Glühwein at home... go to a grocery store and buy Glühweingewürz - it´s the spices you need in a tea bag. Then chose your own wine (red or white) and add some orange juice (and peel) and the "tea bag spice". The spice is less bulky and won´t break in your suitcase ;-). The most popular is called GlühFix by Teekanne.

I have never noticed that Teekanne has that. I decided to try and make some Glühwein at home for a change when I found this mix at a farmers' market a while ago:

 

Not sure yet if I will simmer and then strain it or use a tea filter to put the spice in.

 

notamermaid

 

 

[ural guy]

In Czech Republic now, Pilsen had their St Martin’s market set up in main square.

First stall, Yankee Candle on display.  Did not expect that.  Some very nice wool items also.

 

Second surprise, we’re use to Gluhwein, but this one vendor had at least 10 warmers going with some different mulled drinks. Unfortunately, we couldn’t work out the names.  Bought some nice cherry liquor later, with a picture of cherries for us linguistically challenged.

 

In Karlovy Vary now, we have our Beer Spa at 1300.  You soak in a tub with the hops and some other beer ingredients, supposed to leave skin smooth and supple.  All while drinking local beer, along with beer bread.  It has good reviews and seems like a silly thing to do before cruise.

 

A few pictures: The one is Castle Loket, 20 minute bus from Karlovy, well worth the visit.

 

The colonnades cover the springs in Karlovy. 

 

 

[steamboats]

11 hours ago, notamermaid said:

I have never noticed that Teekanne has that. I decided to try and make some Glühwein at home for a change when I found this mix at a farmers' market a while ago:

 

I don´t like anise so I would leave it off for a home made mix. Really, you never heard of Glühfix? Meßmer has the spices in teabags too. Over here Glühfix is very well known for decades. My parents used it too.

 

steamboats

[steamboats]

49 minutes ago, ural guy said:

Second surprise, we’re use to Gluhwein, but this one vendor had at least 10 warmers going with some different mulled drinks.

 

Also in Germany you will find lots of different types of mulled drinks. Glühwein is the traditional one. Traditionally it´s made with red wine but for years now you also find it with white wine. There´s a market close to my home which is called Glühwein Festival offering 28 different hot drinks with all kinds of alcohol (or without). You can have a hot Caipirina, a hot Daiquiri... and for 20 Euro they are offering a Maß Glühwein (Maß = 1 liter). I doubt I would find my way home after that...

 

Pretty popular during the last years are hot Gin or hot Aperol.

 

steamboats

[ural guy]

30 minutes ago, steamboats said:

 

Also in Germany you will find lots of different types of mulled drinks. Glühwein is the traditional one. Traditionally it´s made with red wine but for years now you also find it with white wine. There´s a market close to my home which is called Glühwein Festival offering 28 different hot drinks with all kinds of alcohol (or without). You can have a hot Caipirina, a hot Daiquiri... and for 20 Euro they are offering a Maß Glühwein (Maß = 1 liter). I doubt I would find my way home after that...

 

Pretty popular during the last years are hot Gin or hot Aperol.

 

steamboats

Thanks, my Christmas market memories are from long ago.  Have to update my brain, we board on Saturday, and should catch some nice ones.

[notamermaid]

5 hours ago, steamboats said:

Really, you never heard of Glühfix?

I don't think I have consciously seen it in the shops, a bit weird, I know. Aniseed, yes, I hope that does not come out too much in the taste. Will try it out.

 

5 hours ago, steamboats said:

and for 20 Euro they are offering a Maß Glühwein (Maß = 1 liter)

Oh my goodness!! I mean the quantity...

 

6 hours ago, ural guy said:

In Karlovy Vary now, we have our Beer Spa at 1300.

You are in Karlovy Vary? I am so envious. I would love to see that spa town. I hope you come out all smooth-skinned and refreshed after that treatment. 🙂 Sounds a fun thing to do.

 

notamermaid