Mannheim Christmas Market Viking Rhine River Cruise

After an early breakfast, we sat and drank coffee and enjoyed our morning.  

I'm checking out Mannheim which is our destination for today.

All those going for the tour of Mannheim are loaded on a bus. Today we will enjoy a tour and then shop at Christmas markets.  The first stop was the art museum but it is now The Mozart Concert Hall & Congress Center. 

Karl Benz was a German engine designer and automotive engineer.  He had a patent on his Benz motorcar from 1885.  He is considered the first modern automobile and the first car out into production!! His patent was approved in 1886, The same year he publicly drove the BENZ Motorwagon.

The market extends around the iconic Mannheim Water Tower. 

This market had a variety of traditional German treats.  The Mannheim Christmas Market is one of the oldest and largest in Germany. This market had over 200 stalls. 

Enjoying some gluhwein and some of their famous foods like potato pancake topped with applesauce 🥰 I’m telling you it was so delicious 😋 I hope Marlon can make this for me at home.

I laugh every time I see their signs for the cost of products. Sounds like you are saying fart🤣

Mannheim’s traditional Christmas pyramid!

We have collected several mugs from sampling the gluhwein.  Gluhwein is a hot red or white wine with brandy & various spices. 

Just like how this tree looked!

Last year we bought a few of these wooden smokers that are actually made in Germany!  Added another one to the collection 🥰

Strolling around the markets shopping.

Time to look for something to eat for lunch. There are lots of different foods to choose from.

  

After much looking down the line of stalls we decided on their pizza. 

Marlon ordered us a pepper and goat cheese pizza.  It was very good. :-)

The pizza shop was next to a child's train ride. There was a group of musical carolers in the center of the train ride.  

Freiburg Christmas Market Viking Christmas Market Rhine River Cruise

Its 9am and we are on the bus heading to Freiburg for a tour and then the Christmas Markets. 

Our tour guide was waiting on our arrival. 

Town Square and a view of the city gates which was part of a wall that used to surround the city.

Window Shopping

Manhole covers

 

I loved going to this clock shop.  The walls were filled with cuckoo clocks, and the clocks' sounds were enjoyable.

The Christmas Markets opened at 11 am and we got some gluhwein with the souvenir 50th anniversary mug.

One of the things that impressed me was the cobbled streets.  The stones are precisely cut so that you can walk on them for hours without tiring. The mosaics are as much of a feast for the eyes as the shop windows.

Freiburg Minster " The Cathedral of Our Lady " Catholic Church is located in the town square.

There are lots of gargoyles on the church.

Across the street from the church is Merchant Hall.  Very vibrant-looking building.

The Viking Tour's next stop in Freiburg Germany is Augustiner Museum. 

Lots of religious artifacts and paintings.  The stained glass windows depicted biblical stories.

Lots of religious artifacts within the museum

We got to listen to a man playing this huge pipe organ. The music he made was very humbling.

This store window displayed faces made from clothing. Very impressive.

The Christmas Markets are slowly opening up and there are lots of delicious food smells. All the lights and Christmas music are so nice to keep you in the holiday spirit. If you look in the collage you will see how they dispense ketchup and mustard for sandwiches. This was a nice market, we only had about a half hour.  Not long enough !!!!

These two swans were outside my balcony on the Viking boat today.  I gave them some cookie crumbs and they enjoyed them.  I have never seen a swan this close, they are a pretty big bird.

Day 3 Salzburg Austria A Bavarian Evening

Holiday Inn Munich Westpark

Day 3

Journey to Munich

Venture along the scenic Danube Valley to Mozart's beloved Salzburg, where we'll Dive Into Culture with a Local Specialist on a walking tour to see the Mirabell Gardens and other sights that featured in the filming of the 'Sound of Music'. Later, travel past beautiful alpine landscapes to Munich, the capital of Bavaria. This evening, we dine at our hotel.

Accommodation

Holiday Inn Munich Westpark

On the bus and off to Salzburg.

After being on the bus for one hour and a half we stopped for a break. Had some coffee and a pastry which we all shared.

Mirabell Gardens - Germany

 

                       

Our Salzburg city guide

Greg is sick so Audy was on a mission to find him some medicine. 



We were given some candy with a picture of Mozart on it. They were Mozart balls :-)

Salzburg Cathedral

Salzburg

Makartsteg is a pedestrian bridge connecting both banks of the Salza River in Salzburg, the capital of the Austrian federal state with the same name as the city. It is best known for the so-called “padlocks of love”, which have been placed there by the love couples, to express their feelings and count on the longevity of the relationship.

Residenzplatz

Salzburg

We bought one of these snow balls for Audy !

MOZARTS HOUSE

A great evening dining in the local atmosphere of a typical Bavarian restaurant.  Enjoy traditional Bavarian food and sample some of Munich’s best beer – Prost!

Hofbräuhaus Munich restaurant

Menu we chose from

beef broth with semolina dumpling

Pork knuckle