Then the answer is: Yes!
For one of the most authentic holiday experiences in Europe, I suggest hopping on a train to Köln, (Cologne), Germany. A quick hour and forty-five minute train ride, from Brussels Midi, deposits you at the Hauptbanhof in Cologne, right at the base of the stunning Cathedral. Prepare to be enchanted.
In total, Cologne has seven markets scattered throughout the city, but if you plan well you can stumble between them all, balancing a mug of whatever warming elixir you choose, quite easily. On my day trip this past weekend, we managed to make it to three (the best three, in my opinion) of the markets which are all located within a close proximity to the central station.
Finally, to get to the the main point of all of this... Schupfnudeln, basically the german version of gnocchi, sometimes called Fingernudel, is the perfect way to get your German potato fix at the Christmas markets. There is a Schupfnudeln stand tucked in one of the rows of the market am Dom and there, true comfort food is served. Bowls of steaming hot dumplings, sautéed with sauerkraut and onion, serves with a dollop of crème frâiche and sprinkled with fresh parsley is undoubtedly the absolute answer to any question. And you are at your own free will to liberally shake krauter salz all over the top prior to consumption... highly recommended. Paired with a mug of hot, mulled glühwein and Guten Appetit!
For one of the most authentic holiday experiences in Europe, I suggest hopping on a train to Köln, (Cologne), Germany. A quick hour and forty-five minute train ride, from Brussels Midi, deposits you at the Hauptbanhof in Cologne, right at the base of the stunning Cathedral. Prepare to be enchanted.
In total, Cologne has seven markets scattered throughout the city, but if you plan well you can stumble between them all, balancing a mug of whatever warming elixir you choose, quite easily. On my day trip this past weekend, we managed to make it to three (the best three, in my opinion) of the markets which are all located within a close proximity to the central station.
- The Cathedral Market am Dom- This market is conveniently located on the opposite side of the Cathedral from the train station and is the most touristic (and crowded) market in the city. That being said, it provides for wonderful shopping and great food (see Schupfnudeln below). This market also serves as a beautiful finale to the day, if you walk back through on your way to the station in the evening, when the sky is dark and the lights are twinkling, lighting up the outstandingly beautiful facade of the famous Cathedral.
- The Angel Market- take a walk through the shopping streets of the city and to Neumarkt, where the Markt Der Engel occupies the square. This is a beautiful little market with a woodsy, wooden theme and plenty of adorable shops and delicious food (try the grilled plank salmon, near the entrance). We also tasted some incredible Amaretto Almond Stollen in the first row of stands here and I am still dreaming of the aromatic, dense, sweet bread.
- The Rudolfplatz Market- this was the coziest market of all, with an adorable entrance and indoor bar on the second floor, where you can enjoy a mini-boot full of hot cocoa, topped off with whipped cream (always "mit sahne!") and watch the day darken and the market light up beneath you. We walked through this market, which was quite small but absolutely charming and then headed back towards the train station, stopping to snack on roasted chestnuts - warm, nutty, sweet treats - which you can find at every market and throughout the streets of the city.
Finally, to get to the the main point of all of this... Schupfnudeln, basically the german version of gnocchi, sometimes called Fingernudel, is the perfect way to get your German potato fix at the Christmas markets. There is a Schupfnudeln stand tucked in one of the rows of the market am Dom and there, true comfort food is served. Bowls of steaming hot dumplings, sautéed with sauerkraut and onion, serves with a dollop of crème frâiche and sprinkled with fresh parsley is undoubtedly the absolute answer to any question. And you are at your own free will to liberally shake krauter salz all over the top prior to consumption... highly recommended. Paired with a mug of hot, mulled glühwein and Guten Appetit!