RSSArchive: December 2008
Budapest to Vienna to Frankfurt
I travel from Budapest to Germany, with a train change in Vienna. Once in Vienna, the train quality gets always better. Read more
In Frankfurt
Frankfurt’s Christmas market dates back to 1393. It closes at exactly 9, timely as Germans are. Read more
Frankfurt to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
This trip is a study in contrasts: Herds of businesspeople crowd the first leg, from Frankfurt to Wurzburg. But herds of sheep, literally, become the norm from the window once changing to smaller shuttle-like trains in Wurzburg. The sun tries breaking through clouds as we head into the country. Read more
In Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in Bavaria, Germany. It is known for its well-preserved medieval old town. I walked past the Chrsitmas market and visited the Christmas museum. Read more
Rothenburg to Steinach to Ansbach to Nurnberg
The train from Rothenberg to Steinach is a small local service, full of locals and schoolchildren. And, in December, lots of foreign tourists traveling to Rothenburg’s market. I meet several from the US and Japan. We all connect and disconnect at different stops, as there are many town markets to consider visiting. [...] Read more
In Nurnberg
Nurnberg hosts one of the more famous christmas markets in Germany. Glühwein and Eierpunsch will keep you warm. Read more
Nurnberg to Prague
I am not sure who started to hear the perfect English first: me or them. But we quickly became train friends. They are an older couple from Iowa, traveling with a Eurail Pass for their 6th Christmas visiting the markets. This year they are focusing for two weeks on Germany and [...] Read more
In Prague
I had heard of St. Nicholas Day, the night of December 5th when St. Nicholas arrives in Europe to give gifts to all good boys and girls. But the Czech experience is something different: Traveling with Mikulas, the Czech St. Nicholas, is the angel and devil, an entourage like no other. On [...] Read more
Prague to Dresden
I am taking a morning train from Prague’s Holesovice station to Dresden, Germany. I am taking an EC (Euro City) train, which is a good quality train. Because it is so early in the morning, and because I had been out so late the night before, I make friends with the couple behind [...] Read more
In Dresden
You may have heard of this German Christmas cake before: Stollen. It’s a heavy cake with fruits and spices and powdered in sugar. It’s not unlike a fruitcake, but I find Stollen more appealing: more hearty and dense. It dates back from the Middle Ages and originates from Dresden. http://www.stollenfest.com/stollen.php Read more
Dresden to Berlin
It’s a drizzly cold afternoon in Dresden. Stepping onto the train today is like climbing into a warm sleeping blanket…the heat is fully on, and thankfully so. I meet a group from New Jersey who are touring Christmas Markets in Germany, basing themselves in Berlin. They fear that the train is so [...] Read more
In Berlin
Berlin features Germany’s big city Christmas markets, and as such offers some big city features, such as ferris wheels. The city is an explosion of lights at Christmas, with many markets filling streets and squares. Read more
Berlin to Hamburg
This is one of Germany’s fastest train routes, connecting two of its biggest cities. The trip can take as little as an hour and a half when it is direct with no stops. I enjoy sitting in my seat watching the train speedometer climb above 200 km/hr. Read more
In Hamburg
Hamburg has several Christmas markets, but two are particularly interesting. The market in front of the Rathaus public building is managed by a circus company. It’s a beautiful market that features a Viennese-style café and an antique merry-go-round. But what makes this market truly special is what takes flight each day at [...] Read more
Hamburg to Luneberg
I am making a short day trip from Hamburg. The ride to Luneberg is only 30 minutes. I meet a German soldier stationed in Luneberg who apologizes that his English is not so good. “But I can practice my English by watching Scrubs,” he says as he pulls out his laptop for [...] Read more
About the Eurail Blog
Benjamin Thomas from the USA has been using Eurail Passes to explore Europe. On this weblog he shares his (train) travel experiences. Intro
This blog is recommended by Eurail.Com.
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