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One could argue that Germany is almost as famous for its Christmas Markets as it is for Oktoberfest. We asked our staff for their favorite memories and mugs, not just from Germany, but from Christmas markets all over Europe.

Kristen Kringle: Last year we visited Zurich’s Christmas market where we discovered it to be a foodie’s paradise! The markets spread across the city and offered a wide array of cuisines. I made several visits throughout the day because it was necessary to try it all. I was most excited to see arancini, a Sicilian fried, filled rice ball. My heart and tummy were happy!

Ann Aglow: During our trip to Wroclaw, Poland, I loved seeing the difference between the German and Polish markets. The grilled oscypek cheese with a side of cranberry preserves was my favorite.

Collage of four mugs (Stripes Staff)

Kuchen Eating Katelin: Cologne has 6 markets in different squares that each have their own theme. The angel market was my favorite and had the cutest mugs I’ve found at German Markets. They also have a large ice rink where you can rent skates. It’s well-maintained and reminds me a bit of the Rockefeller one in New York. You walk all the market in a day and it’s a great way to see the city as well. The streets are decorated differently as well so it’s easy to follow along the path to the next market.

Good Tidings Tamala: We were just aimlessly walking around Munich last year, the weekend after Thanksgiving, and we just stumbled upon not one, but THREE different markets. I, of course, grabbed a mug from each one.

College of three mugs (Stripes Staff)

Kind Katie: One of my favorite Christmas market memories is going to the Rüdesheim Christmas Market with one of my best friends, Heaven. It was the last one we went to before she moved back to the States, and we kept stumbling onto surprises. We tried delicious chocolate-dipped chili peppers, belly-laughed swinging on a wooden picnic table and marveled at an open-air rabbit village as bunnies hopped to the miniature post office, school, and castle.