Germans are a traditional people and if you want to learn how to celebrate Christmas like a German, there are a few things you need to know! Each country has their own Christmas traditions that make every year special. Learning these new traditions is half the fun of living abroad! Here’s what I have learned!
Just a 30 minute drive from Regensburg by car or by train, there is a small quaint village set among rows and rows of hops fields that sits along the Abens River. This region is the largest region for growing hops so it is no surprise, that set in the center of town is the Kuchlbauer Brewery which specializes in producing Hefeweizen beers. Founded way back in the 14th century, this brewery is among the world’s oldest breweries.
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After having lived in Heidelberg for a year while I studied abroad, I am continuously drawn back over and over again. It’s one of the most beautiful towns in Germany. During the Christmas season, the town comes alive with sections of the Christmas market spread out throughout the entire town. From the minute you step off the bus at Bismarkplatz to Karlsplatz are endless adorable Christmas huts filled to the brink with Glühwein, chocolates and gifts for all!
Let’s just face it: Germany is an AMAZING country! I dare not say the best because each and every country we have ever visited is amazing in it’s own right, different and more unique than the last, but I can honestly say, after having lived in Germany twice now, it makes it hard to leave and even harder to stay away. Germany is loaded with amazing history, fantastic architecture, delicious food and so much more! Something must be said about the strict, rule book way of life Germans live by and without it, nichts wäre in Ordnung!
STARKbierzeit (or Strong Beer Time) is this special period in Bavaria between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday. This is a time when Monks in Bavaria were supposed to fast and is considered to be Bavaria’s 5th season. However, monks were tricky little men who found a loophole around this special time period of no eating by […]
Carnival or Fasching (or what we call Mardi Gras in New Orleans) begins on November 11th at 11:11am and finishes at midnight on Shrove Tuesday (or Faschingsdienstag) before Ash Wednesday which is celebrated with parties and parades. This is known as the “fifth season in Germany” (only for Bavaria Starkbierzeit coincides with this). Fasching in Germany is what Halloween is for Americans.
There are few towns or cities in Germany which managed to survive the Second World War practically unscathed and Regensburg is one of the lucky ones. The town is already incredibly picturesque with small winding alleys zigzagging every which way and a glorious cathedral dominating over the city making you feel like you’re stepping back 2,000 years in time.
Yet, when Christmas comes around, the town becomes even more remarkably beautiful with Christmas stalls snuggled up against the Neupfarrkirche with their red and white stripped roofs and twinkling lights shining brightly. Best of all? Regensburg’s Christmas Market won the “Best Christmas City” for Christmas lights in 2017!
