Wander through Germany's Christmas markets
An ornament stall in Regensberg.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Stock up on euros before heading out to the Christmas markets – vendors, like this one in Regensberg, only take cash.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Red or white glüwein, apple wine, blueberry wine, hot chocolate: everyone gets a mug of something hot at the Christmas markets.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Nuremberg lebkuchen is baked from a centuries old recipe of cloves, ginger, mace, cinnamon and nutmeg – spices once believed to be aphrodisiacs.Steffen Oliver Riese
Gingerbread cookies big enough to hand on your wall are found at all the markets.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Burn a little Christmas incense (made of frankincense and myrrh) inside a wooden ‘smoking man’ and your home smells fantastic.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
These prune and fig dolls are found all over the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt. Popular since the 17th century, they were first created as toys for families who couldn’t afford anything else. Now tourists buy them in droves.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Pork knuckles and bratwurst taste better on an open grill. This swinging version is found at a smaller Christmas market next to the Main river in Frankfurt.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Great big pretzels go for €5 in Frankfurt’s main market.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail
Regensberg’s old town Christmas market glitters at night.Catherine Dawson March/The Globe and Mail