My Top 10 Christmas Market Must Haves

I love Christmas Markets. I love the diversity, the culture and how every Christmas Market you visit is different.  Each city or charming town has its own twist and theme. No two markets are the same.  I love to visit all the different kiosks and make unique purchases to take home with me. Every city has a food they are famous for like in Budapest! The tantalizing smell of the Hungarian Goulash waifs through the air. Simply amazing.

When exploring these charming traditional markets, you want to be your most comfortable self. Dressing smartly completely outweighs being the most fashionable.

If you travel with my favorite 10 travel items, you will always be cozy warm and comfortable.  With these suggestions, you can wander the market for hours in any kind of weather.

Item #1, Your Feet!

You have got to take care of your feet first.  You will need a very comfortable pair of walking boots that are insulated and waterproof.  Do not bring your big clunky ski resort boots.  They take up way too much room in your suitcase and after hours of walking in them, you will have tired ankles and cold toes. My favorite Christmas Market are Uggs. They are flexible, they are waterproof and lined with plush wool

Item #2, a multi-use scarf

A multi-use scarf is so versatile. You can wrap it around several times if the wind is brisk and you can use it as a head covering to go over hat for extra insulation if needed.  On the opposite of the cold side of things, some nights can be quite comfortable, perhaps too warm for a coat. You can use it as a wrap. My favorite kind of multi-use scarf is an Eddie Bauer Travel Wrap Scarf. I use mine literally for everything.

Item #3, a good hat that stays in place on your head

I love hats that have the hidden ear coverings that you can drop down if your ears start to get cold. Like I said, the weather is usually pretty mild, but you can have brisk windy days and no one likes to have cold ears. My favorite item is not really a hat but a head band that is wool knitted and very warm.

Item #4 Warm hands equal a warm heart!

I have a pair of down insulated mittens that have traveled all over Europe with me.  Mittens are better with gloves to keep your fingers toasty.  Another great thing to bring that doesn’t take that much room in your suitcase?  My favorite warmers are by LLBean called Wicked Good Hand Warmers (you can also get them for your boots).

Item #5 Coat.  Don’t skimp here

A light weight waterproof long down winter coat that covers your ‘assets’ is so important.  You may want to sit down around one of the food booths and if you have a long coat, your bottom will stay warm, especially on chilly windy evenings.

Item #6, A small and mighty powerful high capacity power bank

They are very portable, and you will be very happy when you are walking around taking a lot of fun pictures and notice that your power is at 3%. They are not very expensive and please invest in a high capacity one, trust me, you will be glad you did!

Item #7, Chapstick

I can’t tell you how relieving it is to have one of these tucked in your pocket. Have you ever needed it badly and not had one handy? Awful is it not?

Item #8, light weight backpack

Or across body so you don’t have to hand carry all the little fun trinkets and ornaments (& chocolate!) that you purchase while waling around the market.  You want to keep your hands free for sampling the hot and famous Glühwein.

Item #9, a change purse (men and women)

This does not have to be an expensive investment but it does need a zipper! When visiting the Christmas markets, the locals prefer you pay with cash. Most of the Euros tend to end up being all coins and those coins come in so many different sizes. Coin can easily fall out of your pocket or your hands. A change purse keeps them handy and all in one place.

Item #10, a very important item, your smartphone

Add an international plan attached during your travel dates. I have Verizon and when I leave the country, I sign up for the International plan. It is $10 for every 24-hour period.Your smartphone has so many useful functions when traveling abroad.Most of the river companies now have special APPs that you can download while on the cruise which is super handy.

Interested in joining our December 12, 2021 AmaWaterways Iconic Christmas Market River Cruise? Learn more by clicking the button below.

Learn more about Fitzgerald Travel. Prefer to travel with a group? We do that too. Coming soon, Beyond. A menu of pre-organized group travel that you can join. Sometimes it’s better to travel with friends, families, & familiar people. These groups are hosted by one or both of the Lisas.