We were fortunate enough to get to do one of my favorite things in December: Visit the Christkindlmarkts in Germany and Austria! After a devasting two years of having plane tickets and having to cancel at the last moment, we were finally able to enjoy this tradition again.
It has been a really difficult year, and to get to experience one of my favorite things again was so good for my soul.
We left on Saturday evening after I worked all day. I had received a notification while at the hospital that our long-haul flight from Chicago would be delayed. We were bummed, but also grateful that technically we were leaving a day earlier than originally planned since we were catching such a late flight out of Kansas City.
Wine and snacks on the way to Chicago. It was such a relief to be on the plane, even though we knew we were delayed in Chicago.
We arrived at O'Hare at 8:45 pm. We were surprised to learn that everything closes at 9:00 pm, including the United lounge. Fortunately, Ken spotted a spot that was open that was selling flatbread and to-go wine. We sat there until they finally kicked us out along with some new friends we had met from Michigan. They were all surprised to hear we were on our way to Germany. I tried to explain to all of them what was waiting for us when we arrived, but unless you have witnessed Germany at Christmas, it is hard to imagine!
We ended up finding a nice quiet spot to take a quick nap before boarding our flight at 1:00 am. That was definitely a first for me.
Finally on board! We enjoyed our welcome champagne and tried to pretend it was not 1:00 am. It was getting really close to being 24 hours that both of us had been awake since Ken drove me to the hospital the morning prior.
We both watched movies and slept. Once we woke up and had breakfast, Ken ended up teaching our German flight attendants about screwdrivers. It was cute!
We arrived in Munich and made it through customs. We were excited that the Christkindlmarkt at the airport would be open. I had some Euros left over from previous trips, so we decided to stop and enjoy the market along with a little gluhwein.
Munich airport Christkindlmarkt
The market really is quite cute. We had our bags with us, so we did not move around too much.
Ice skating at the Munich Airport Christkindlmarkt
We enjoyed our gluhwein and hopped on the S-Bahn towards the Marienplatz. Once we arrived, I was so excited to come up the escalator to see the tree in the Marienplatz.
That feeling of finally making it to your favorite place.
We went to our hotel, which is just a few blocks from the Marienplatz. We dropped off our stuff and headed back to the Marienplatz. He had just snowed the day prior, so we were treated with beautiful views.
The charming Marienplatz Christkindlmarkt
We walked through the market and decided to head to our beloved Rindermarkt so we could get gluhwein from one of my favorite stahls and dinner from the Christmas Pyramid.
Bundled up with a rose gluhwein in hand in front of my favorite Christmas Pyramid. I am not sure I could be happier.
A few of my favorite things: Pommes frites, currywurst, and a rose gluhwein!
Ken enjoying his gluhwein and a foot-long brat. He was so happy!
It was absolutely freezing out. I think it was 18 degrees and it was quite windy out too. We noticed that our favorite gluhwein stahl in the Rindermarkt had an area where you could sit inside and they had a fire going. We decided to spend the rest of the evening in there until last call just shortly before 8:00 pm. It was Sunday, so the markets close a little earlier.
Gluhwein drinking in Munich
The inside of the stahl was so festive
Enjoying my rose gluhwein by the fire. I was so cozy inside the stahl!
A sign that you hit up the Augustiner on your way back to the hotel.
Despite the delay, we had a wonderful first day in Munich. It felt so nice to be back in one of our favorite places during Christmas.
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