Christmas Markets in Brussels, Strasbourg, Nürnberg, and München
Travel Day One - 2 December 2024 - Departure to Brussels
The adventure began with an on-time Lyft ride to the airport. After a quick TSA Pre-Check, the flight from Nashville (BNA) to Washington Dulles (IAD) departed on time and landed smoothly. After a brief layover, it was on to the flight to Brussels (BRU).
Soon, the plane was airborne, setting the tone for the holiday season adventure ahead. Onboard, testing the inflight Wi-Fi while enjoying dinner passed the time. The pasta dish was decent. Total travel time, from Lyft pickup to landing in Brussels, was 22 hours and 37 minutes.
Day One - 3 December 2024 - Arrival in Brussels
Landing in Brussels early in the morning, navigating the train ticketing system led to Brussels-Centraal station. After dropping luggage off at the Hilton Grand Place, venturing out into the chilly streets of Brussels was next. For lunch, a stop at Fritland meant a generous serving of Belgian fries—crispy, golden, and perfectly topped with mayonnaise. It was the perfect quick bite to refuel before continuing explorations.
Later that evening, exploring the Christmas markets illuminated by festive lights was magical. The Raclette—served with melted cheese, ham, and pickles—was a highlight, but the Glühwein left something to be desired. The night ended marveling at the Grand Place light show, which was nothing short of magical.
Day Two - 4 December 2024 - Exploring Brussels
The day started with a hearty hotel breakfast before setting out to explore more of Brussels. One of the first stops was Mary Chocolatier on the Grand Place, where sampling some of the most decadent and beautifully crafted chocolates was a must. Afterward, wandering through the heart of Brussels continued, soaking in the charm of the cobbled streets and historic buildings. Along the way, another chocolate shop, Artisan Chocolaterie Belge, appeared and I couldn't resist buying five chocolate bars to take home.
The meandering eventually led to one of Brussels' quirky landmarks—the Manneken Pis statue—which, surprisingly, was dressed in a fireman's suit that day. After snapping a few photos, strolling through the streets continued, taking in the lively atmosphere and intricate architectural details that make Brussels so captivating.
For lunch, Ballekes was the spot, a cozy place known for its incredible meatballs. They didn't disappoint—perfectly seasoned and served with a variety of delicious sauces. Feeling refreshed, venturing back into the streets of Brussels resumed. By this point, the December chill had really settled in, so ducking into a nearby Dunkin' Donuts to warm up with a hot chocolate was necessary.
Once thawed out, heading back outside to explore more of the Winter Wonders Markets was next. A fried dough ball drizzled generously with Nutella—crispy, sweet, and exactly what was needed on a cold winter afternoon—hit the spot. On the way back to the hotel, I spotted a stall selling macarons and couldn't resist picking up a box to enjoy later.
After some downtime at the hotel, a quick trip to a Carrefour Express nearby yielded premade sandwiches for a simple dinner.
The festive vibes of the Winter Wonders market lingered—it was truly unforgettable, even if the Glühwein hadn't improved much from the day before. Still, the variety and quality of the market food perfectly captured the essence of the holiday season in Brussels. By evening, packing up and resting prepared for the next leg of the journey.
Day Three - 5 December 2024 - Train to Strasbourg
An early morning marked the start of the journey to Strasbourg. Navigating Brussels-Midi station was a bit chaotic, but eventually the train was boarded for a four-hour ride through Belgium and France. The views from the train were serene, offering glimpses of the countryside blanketed in winter hues.
Arriving in Strasbourg, checking into the Le Bristol Hotel came before heading straight to the markets. The Cathedral Place market was a feast for the senses, and their orange-infused Vin Chaud was the best tried so far. For lunch, I could not resist trying Choucroute — a hearty sausage in bread topped with tangy sauerkraut — delicious and warming on such a crisp day.
That evening, watching the Christmas tree light show at Kléber Place preceded dinner at Au Pont Corbeau. The cozy, traditional atmosphere was the perfect setting to unwind. The Fleischkuechle, their pumpkin soup and Spaetzle were absolutely comforting—simple, flavorful, and the ideal way to end a day full of exploring.
Day Four - 6 December 2024 - Exploring Petite France
A slower-paced day started with breakfast and some rest before heading out to the picturesque Petite France neighborhood. Wandering through the Christmas markets and savoring Spaetzle with a rich mushroom sauce was delightful. Petite France’s cobblestone streets and quaint timber-framed houses felt like stepping into a storybook.
A few final purchases at the markets, including cookies from a local stall, wrapped up the shopping. After a long day of exploring and indulging in Strasbourg’s festive ambiance, returning to the hotel for some well-earned relaxation was in order.
Day Five - 7 December 2024 - Train to Nürnberg
The day began with another early train ride, this time to Nürnberg. Despite a few train delays and some confusion with seat reservations, arrival and checking into the Park Plaza Hotel went smoothly. There was a minor mix-up with the room, but the hotel staff quickly sorted it out.
Dinner that evening at Hans im Glück was a much-needed treat. A grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries hit the spot. The restaurant was bustling and vibrant, full of energy and chatter, which somehow felt like the perfect antidote to a long travel day.
Day Six - 8 December 2024 - Nürnberg Christmas Market
Despite a minor injury in my lower back, visiting Nürnberg’s famous Christmas market was a must. Before diving into the festive chaos, a stop at a cozy café overlooking the market offered a chance to savor a rich, creamy hot chocolate. It was the perfect little pause to take in the view and prepare for the hustle and bustle below.
The mission at the market was simple: “get lebkuchens”, the traditional gingerbread cookies the city is known for. I didn't hold back — snagging about nine of them! Exploring more of the market would have been lovely, but the pinched nerve meant heading back to the hotel to rest.
Even during the day, the charm of the old town and the lively market made it a memorable experience.
Day Seven - 9 December 2024 - Train to München
The train journey to München was marked by delays and a frustrating double-booking of seats, but arrival came eventually! Upon arrival, checking into the Boutique Hotel Atrium München was followed by some time to recover from the pinched nerve in my lower back. A long, relaxing bath helped ease the tension after the journey.
Opting to stay in and snack on some of the Lebkuchen bought in Nürnberg made for a quiet but much-needed evening of rest.
Day Eight - 10 December 2024 - Exploring Munich
Munich’s Marienplatz Christmas market was a vibrant hub of activity. Sipping non-alcoholic Glühwein and enjoying a delicious Currywurst while taking in the festive decorations and lively crowds was wonderful. I also managed to find a Christmas-themed magnet for my collection, which felt like a small but meaningful victory.
That evening, dinner at Arkadi, a welcoming Greek restaurant, was outstanding. The chicken souvlaki and fries were easily one of the best meals of the trip. With a full stomach and happy heart, returning to the hotel set the stage for another day of exploring.
Day Nine - 11 December 2024 - Final Day in München
On the last full day in Munich, taking things slow was the plan, opting for a leisurely breakfast and staying back at the hotel to rest up for the next day's travels through the airport.
Dinner at Münchner Stubn was the perfect farewell meal. Their Bratwurst Skillet, complete with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and a variety of sausages, was hearty and satisfying.
The next day, flying back to BNA brought time for reflection on the trip. The incredible experiences — from the bustling markets to the cozy meals and moments of quiet charm — were unforgettable. It was a journey to cherish for years to come.
Travel Day Two - 12 December 2024 - Return to Nashville
An early wake-up, packing bags, and one last breakfast at the hotel started the day. After checking out, a taxi to the Munich airport using the FreeNow app went smoothly. Security and passport control were easy, and making it to the gate for the flight to Washington Dulles (IAD) was no problem.
The flight boarded on time. During the layover at IAD, breezing through the Global Entry kiosks was quick, but the TSA line took about 45 minutes — not exactly quick. After a short wait at the gate, the final flight of the journey departed and landed in Nashville (BNA) on time.
A Lyft ride home marked the end of a whirlwind trip filled with festive markets, hearty meals, and unforgettable memories.
Using points from my Capital One Venture X card, I managed to offset some travel-related expenses, which significantly reduced the overall cost of the trip.