Germany is getting dressed up for the festive season with the launch of a magical four-week celebration starting November 27 and ending on Christmas Eve.

Featuring various festive activities such as Christmas markets, winter experiences, and traditional celebrations, the country is offering visitors the chance to enjoy a wonderfully wintry holiday.

With the days being short and the evenings long, there is plenty of time for genuine cosiness, enjoyment, and wonderful traditions from all regions across Germany. The Christmas markets are a highlight for young and old alike, while atmospheric strolls through the alleys provide access to festively decorated stalls full of gingerbread snacks, candy apples, Christmas stollen, and hot chestnuts. Wooden carvings from the Erzgebirge mountains, artistic glass baubles, and handmade unique items are on offer as souvenirs, decorations, and gifts for loved ones.

With Germany on the path to becoming more sustainable every day, many of the markets throughout the country now use energy-saving lighting concepts with LED lamps and particular emphasis on regional and organically produced products. Even beyond the Christmas villages, sustainable winter fun awaits, such as snow walks, torchlight hikes, or Christmas traditions to join in.

Some of the famous festive markets happen in: Aachen, with regional handicrafts in the old town; Berlin has 50 multicultural markets; Bremen’s Schlachte Zauber, the popular medieval-maritime Christmas market; Dresden’s exquisite handicrafts at the Striezelmarkt; a fairy tale wonderland in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg; Lübeck’s winter village against the backdrop of the medieval old town centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Munich’s Bavarian and Nativity markets; Potsdam’s Bohemian themed market.

Apart from the markets, Germany is known for its winter activities that add a magical twist to the Festive celebrations.

Yamina Sofo, director at the German National Tourist Office, the regional office of the German National Tourist Board, said: “Some might say, Christmas is the most exciting time of the year and in Germany we start the festivities weeks ahead of time. From Christmas markets, winter activities to traditional gatherings, we make sure the celebrations are a memorable to all, especially for tourists. Germany is a very attractive destination all-year-round for GCC travellers, and we make sure they have the best festive experience with numerous exciting activities.”

Sofo also reeled off a list of activities for visitors from the Gulf to relax in the winter seasons as well as to indulge in several popular activities, such as hiking and spa options at Bad Reichenhall Spa, watching ferries carrying Christmas trees while strolling along the Elbe River near Hamburg, skiing or just unwinding in the hilly landscapes of the Harz Mountains, hiking in the Wasserliesch orchid area and the mountain ranges of Eifel and Hunsrück in Moselle Valley, gazing at the Milky Way on a starry night in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in The Rhön; and exploring the snow-covered Thuringian Forest.

Throughout the four-week celebrations, Christmas hits are played on the radio, transporting listeners back in time to fond memories from childhood and feelings of anticipation. Every family has its own special traditions coupled with outdoor and indoor Advent activities. The Festive season is celebrated from north to south and from east to west, in all its beautiful facets – with many special cultural and culinary offerings. – TradeArabia News Service