Christmas Markets in Germany

DH and I would like to go to Germany in December for the Christmas Markets. Any recommendations on where to go??

I went to the Munich one a couple of years ago with some other ladies on the forum.  It was a lot of fun!!  I know Q-G and Geeta have been a bunch of times, so I'll let them give some details

*jealous*

oh, I'd love to do this too! How soon do they open in december? we're going back to austin for xmas

I really want to go to Graz in Austria. The city was really nice just in the summer and it was where Arnie was born, or grew up, or something.   

oh, I'd love to do this too! How soon do they open in december? we're going back to austin for xmas

the one in Cologne runs from 23 November thru 23 December. According to their website it's the biggest and the best, but I was hoping for some opinions on that!

I went to the Munich one a couple of years ago with some other ladies on the forum.  It was a lot of fun!!  I know Q-G and Geeta have been a bunch of times, so I'll let them give some details

I know Q-G loves Germany, so I was hoping she'd have some good info! 

*jealous*

Just trying to take advantage of the whole 'living in Europe' thing since we have no idea what next year may bring!

I really want to go to Graz in Austria. The city was really nice just in the summer and it was where Arnie was born, or grew up, or something.   

We were in Switzerland in June and now I'm dying to go to Austria too!

Graz is served by Ryanair and the airport is really close to the city, I think it was about 20 or 30 minutes by a train that was easy as anything.

I keep hoping for a good Ryan air sale!

I went to the Munich one a couple of years ago with some other ladies on the forum.  It was a lot of fun!!  I know Q-G and Geeta have been a bunch of times, so I'll let them give some details

Although I've been to Germany loads of times, I have actually only been to the Christmas markets (Munich) once.

I had a great time in the company of the people i was with, but i was disappointed by the market itself... mainly the stuff that was being sold.  There was nothing i wanted to buy!  It was mainly Christmas decorations, none of which were to my taste.  I dont know what I was expecting... but i went away emtpy-handed... unless you count the many cups of Gluhwein I got to drink, which was wonderful!  

That said, it's still worthwhile going, for the experience.

Q-G, do you have a favorite city in Germany? I'd be open to going anywhere and could find out if they have a Christmas market. The only Christmas market I've been to is the one in Bath, so pretty much anything would impress me after that one! 

I do like Cologne a lot, but Munich is probably my favourite.
If you go to Munich, in addition to all the brilliant Munich stuff, try to take a day trip to Tegernsee... very beautiful, very romantic!  (would be lovely for newlyweds!) 
(and fantastic bier!!)

Q-G, do you have a favorite city in Germany? I'd be open to going anywhere and could find out if they have a Christmas market. The only Christmas market I've been to is the one in Bath, so pretty much anything would impress me after that one! 

Hey, at least the company was good!

I do like Cologne a lot, but Munich is probably my favourite.
If you go to Munich, in addition to all the brilliant Munich stuff, try to take a day trip to Tegernsee... very beautiful, very romantic!  (would be lovely for newlyweds!) 
(and fantastic bier!!)

K, we have a friend who was recently living in Munich. If you want, we can also ask him for recommendations - though I doubt he'll have much to offer on Christmas markets, he will have a lot to say about what to do in Munich.