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, the flight to Brussels (BRU) boarded.
Soon, the plane was airborne, setting the tone for the holiday season adventure ahead. Onboard, the inflight Wi-Fi got a test while dinner was served. The pasta dish was decent for me, while my friend chose chicken. Total travel time, from Lyft pickup to landing in Brussels, was 22 hours and 37 minutes.
Day One - 3 December 2024 - Arrival in Brussels
An early morning landing in Brussels led to navigating the train ticketing system and arriving at Brussels-Centraal station. After dropping luggage off at the Hilton Grand Place, the chilly streets of Brussels beckoned. For lunch, Fritland provided a generous serving of Belgian fries, crispy, golden, and perfectly topped with mayonnaise. It was the perfect quick bite to refuel before continuing our explorations.
Later that evening, the Christmas markets illuminated by festive lights drew us back out. The Raclette, served with melted cheese, ham, and pickles, was a highlight, but the Glühwein left something to be desired. The night ended with 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 some of the most decadent and beautifully crafted chocolates awaited sampling. 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, proved irresistible, and five chocolate bars made it into the bags to take home.
The meandering eventually led to one of Brussels' quirky landmarks, the Manneken Pis statue, which, to our surprise, 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 offered a cozy spot known for its incredible meatballs. They didn't disappoint, perfectly seasoned and served with a variety of delicious sauces. Feeling refreshed, the streets of Brussels called again. By this point, the December chill had really settled in, so a nearby Dunkin' Donuts provided refuge. Hot chocolate for me, coffee for my friend.
Once thawed out, back outside meant exploring more of the Winter Wonders Markets. A fried dough ball drizzled generously with Nutella hit the spot, crispy, sweet, and exactly what the cold winter afternoon called for. On the way back to the hotel, a stall selling macarons proved irresistible, and a box made it back for later.
After some downtime at the hotel, a quick trip to a Carrefour Express nearby provided 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 was the priority, ready to head out 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 so far. For lunch, the Choucroute proved irresistible, a hearty sausage in bread topped with tangy sauerkraut, delicious and warming on such a crisp day.
That evening, the Christmas tree light show at Kléber Place provided entertainment before heading to Au Pont Corbeau for dinner. 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 included savoring Spaetzle with a rich mushroom sauce. Petite France’s cobblestone streets and quaint timber-framed houses felt like stepping into a storybook.
A few final purchases at the markets included cookies from a local stall. After a long day of exploring and indulging in Strasbourg’s festive ambiance, the hotel provided some well-earned relaxation.
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 came and checking into the Park Plaza Hotel followed. A minor mix-up with the room was quickly sorted out by the hotel staff, ensuring comfort.
Dinner that evening at Hans im Glück was a much-needed treat. A grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries for me, while my friend opted for a hearty salad and fries, and, impressively, a humongous three-patty hamburger that could have fed a small army! 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, Nürnberg’s famous Christmas market was still on the agenda. Before diving into the festive chaos, a stop at a cozy café overlooking the market allowed for a rich, creamy hot chocolate while my friend enjoyed a coffee. 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. No holding back, about nine of them made it into my bag! Exploring more of the market would have been lovely, but the pinched nerve meant heading back to the hotel to rest while my friend continued to wander and soak in the festive atmosphere.
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 eventually came! Checking into the Boutique Hotel Atrium München allowed some time to recover from the pinched nerve in my lower back. A long, relaxing bath helped ease the tension after the journey.
While my friend went out for dinner, staying in and snacking on some of the Lebkuchen from Nürnberg sounded better. It was 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. Non-alcoholic Glühwein and a delicious Currywurst went down well while taking in the festive decorations and lively crowds. A Christmas-themed magnet for my collection also surfaced, which felt like a small but meaningful victory.
That evening, dinner at Arkadi, a welcoming Greek restaurant, was the plan. The chicken souvlaki and fries were outstanding, easily one of the best meals of the trip. With full stomachs and happy hearts, the hotel awaited, ready for another day of exploring.
Day Nine - 11 December 2024 - Final Day in München
On the last full day in Munich, taking things slow meant a leisurely breakfast while my friend did some final souvenir shopping. Instead of joining in, staying back at the hotel to rest up for the next day's travels through the airport seemed wiser.
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, the flight back to BNA provided time to reflect on the trip and feel grateful for the incredible experiences, from the bustling markets to the cozy meals and moments of quiet charm. It was a journey to cherish for years to come.
Travel Day Two - 12 December 2024 - Return to Nashville
An early wake-up, bags packed, and one last breakfast at the hotel. After checking out, a taxi to the Munich airport via the FreeNow app got us on our way. Security and passport control went smoothly, and the gate for the flight to Washington Dulles (IAD) was reached in good time.
The flight boarded on time. During the layover at IAD, the Global Entry kiosks were a breeze, but the TSA line took about 45 minutes, not exactly quick. After a short wait at the gate, the final flight of the journey boarded and landed in Nashville (BNA) on time.
A Lyft ride brought us home, marking 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.