Our last stop and point of disembarkation for our Christmas Market River Cruise was Nuremberg, Germany.  We had a pretty full day here touring before heading home the next day, but I would have loved more time!

Nuremberg envoked a range of emotions for me.  Being a lifelong and enthusiastic student of history, this beautiful place is shadowed in the echos of Hitler and his reign of terror.  I often marvel at the some of the cool locations I have visited and wonder dreamily whose steps I am following.  But I STOOD where Hitler stood and it brought tears to my eyes.  Life’s contemplations resurfaced and one begins to ponder this world.  That’s pretty deep for a bus tour!

We continued on to the location of the Nuremberg Trials, then into the Old City…which is stunning!!!  But there was that shadow….and it is hard to shake even now in reflection.

The Old City of Nuremberg, with its ancient castle on a hill, HUGE Christmas Market and warm and welcoming people, invited us in.  I am a sucker for a castle, so we gladly toured it and enjoyed the views.

The inner courtyard of the castle.

A beautiful view from the great hall.

Nuremberg definitely had the biggest Christmas Market – and I would say, the best prices as well!  We found a lot of our goodies there and enjoyed Nuremberg sausages and saurkraut, German ginger cookies, and my most favorite gluehwein was found at the Scotish cultural booth (amoung other nations represented in this small area of the Market) – it had whiskey in it and it was lovely!!!

Nuremberg has something for everyone!  I can’t wait to go back and visit again!!!!