Germany's Christmas Markets and Spa Breaks

Travel Talk with Ed Finn

Saturday, 30 October 2021 - 14 minutes

We were delighted to welcome Jeanette Schuchmann the Deputy Director UK & Ireland at the German National Tourist Office as our special guest on Travel Talk today. Jeanette tells us about some exciting things to do and see in Germany for the coming months including some festive Christmas Markets and some restorative Spa breaks. The markets in Germany usually open with Advent and last until Christmas Eve. Römerberg Market in Frankfurt features hundreds of wooden huts in the historic old town centre. The background's financial district provides a striking contrast to one of Germany’s oldest Christmas markets, dating back to 1393. Ed combined the Frankfurt market with a short train ride to the market in Wiesbaden. Jeanette also tells us about the famous "Kneipp" cure which is celebrating 200 years this year. Germany also famous of course for its incredible Spas - There are few nationalities as well versed in spa culture as the Germans. The balneological art of eine Kur machen (taking the waters) dates back centuries; Today, there are more than 350 approved spa and health resorts scattered around the country and whether you seek a mineral or a mud spa, a climatic health or seaside resort, there’s something to suit.

Arguably the most famous thermal spa town in Europe, the elegant Black Forest town of Baden-Baden has a longstanding spa culture thanks to its healing, mineral-rich hot springs. Aristocrats and socialites would flock to Baden-Baden to seek treatment in its sanatoriums and spas. Nietzsche, Wagner – even literary greats like Mark Twain and Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky were regulars.

Today, Baden-Baden’s luxurious thermal spas continue the time-honoured tradition. With multiple pools, steam baths, jets and whirlpools, the modern Caracalla Therme is a sanctuary of relaxation while the Roman-Irish Friedrichsbad, built in 1869, has 17 wellbeing stations made up of pools, saunas, steam baths and hot and cold plunge pools in which to dip, soak and steam. For lots of info on all these visit - www.germany.travel