Being in Germany at this time of year is like living a holiday fairytale. The biting cold, the pungency of cinnamon and spice wafting in the air, roasting chestnuts, seeing and touching real Christmas trees, nibbling on gingerbread and sipping mulled wine, I?m living my childhood Christmas fantasy.

Germany has a lengthy history of Christmas markets but none are perhaps as large and as enthralling as this one in Frankfurt. The elaborately decorated food stands are set amidst the stunning surroundings of the Römerberg and the Eiserner Steg bridge.

Much of the festivities are in St. Paul’s Square loomed over by a huge Christmas tree. This is certainly the most beautiful Weihnachtsmarkt (German Christmas market), and also the oldest, dating as far back as 1393 (!).
The towering Christmas tree, draped in thousands of lights, stands in front of the Römer, Frankfurt?s city hall. A gleaming source of pride for the locals, the tree contributes much to the market?s joyous holiday atmosphere – or ?gemütlichkeit? as the Germans call it.

A captivating carousel for kids and for those who wish they were still kids?

It’s a pleasure to stroll through this Christmas wonderland that extends from the Zeil shopping mall to the Römerberg and down to the river Main with over 200 laboriously decorated stalls all offering edible holiday dreams.
Come and have a look.

Nobody does sausages like the Germans?

and the best of the wursts are cooked on this stupendous...