<strong>Maximum Christmas:</strong> In the German city of Dresden, the festive season is taken to new levels -- with the epicenter being the Striezelmarkt Christmas market.
Maximum Christmas: In the German city of Dresden, the festive season is taken to new levels -- with the epicenter being the Striezelmarkt Christmas market.
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<strong>Long traditions:</strong> The Striezelmarkt is probably the oldest Christmas market in Germany, having run since 1434.
Long traditions: The Striezelmarkt is probably the oldest Christmas market in Germany, having run since 1434.
Matthias Rietschel/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
<strong>Christmas pyramid: </strong>Striezelmarkt's centerpiece is a giant Weihnachtspyramide or Christmas pyramid -- a tiered wooden tower filled with Christmas figures.
Christmas pyramid: Striezelmarkt's centerpiece is a giant Weihnachtspyramide or Christmas pyramid -- a tiered wooden tower filled with Christmas figures.
Matthias Rietschel/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
<strong>Back in time for Christmas: </strong>Striezelmarkt still feels very much like a medieval trading post, with many traditional crafts and Christmas goods on sale.
Back in time for Christmas: Striezelmarkt still feels very much like a medieval trading post, with many traditional crafts and Christmas goods on sale.
Melanie Hamilton
<strong>Dresdner Christstollen:</strong> At the Schaubäckerei Ullrich bakery, the traditional Dresdner Christstoller fruit bread is in a league of its own.
Dresdner Christstollen: At the Schaubäckerei Ullrich bakery, the traditional Dresdner Christstoller fruit bread is in a league of its own.
Melanie Hamilton
<strong>Houses for sale: </strong>These colorful ceramic medieval houses are among the souvenirs on sale in the market.
Houses for sale: These colorful ceramic medieval houses are among the souvenirs on sale in the market.
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<strong>Inside Frauenkirche: </strong>Dresden's <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.denkmalschutz.de%2Fdenkmal%2Ffrauenkirche-dresden.html%3Fpk_campaign%3Dcpc%26pk_kwd%3Dfrauenkirche%2520dresden%26gclid%3DCj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0CMgqPfStZyIeCU859JCdrvn0l6EXZG9QJTu-6otMA70aysJOf95sYaAjlNEALw_wcB" target="_blank" target="_blank">Frauenkirche</a> hosts a line up of Christmas concerts ranging from vocal ensembles to saxophone quartets throughout the season.
Inside Frauenkirche: Dresden's Frauenkirche hosts a line up of Christmas concerts ranging from vocal ensembles to saxophone quartets throughout the season.
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<strong>The wurst of times: </strong>Sausages are an essential part of the Dresden Christmas market experience. These include the delectably smoky Thüringer rostbratwurst sausages, a beloved staple of neighboring state Thuringia.
The wurst of times: Sausages are an essential part of the Dresden Christmas market experience. These include the delectably smoky Thüringer rostbratwurst sausages, a beloved staple of neighboring state Thuringia.
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<strong>Light fantastic: </strong>The annual Christmas Garden takes over the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.denkmalschutz.de%2Fdenkmal%2Fschloss-pillnitz%3B-englischer-pavillon.html%3Fpk_campaign%3Dcpc%26pk_kwd%3D%26gclid%3DCj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0C7V_QyX_BUCRD05KmEHb14tXUdhMBGx11G3_33KaIIyyKOvibyFasaAubGEALw_wcB" target="_blank" target="_blank">Pillnitz Palace</a> grounds mid-November through mid-January with elaborate light shows, endless walking trails and the occasional gluhwein hut.
Light fantastic: The annual Christmas Garden takes over the Pillnitz Palace grounds mid-November through mid-January with elaborate light shows, endless walking trails and the occasional gluhwein hut.
Matthias Rietschel/picture alliance/Getty Images
<strong>Wooden men: </strong>Traditional Saxon goods straight from Vogtland, the Ore Mountains and beyond are real highlights of Dresden's many markets.
Wooden men: Traditional Saxon goods straight from Vogtland, the Ore Mountains and beyond are real highlights of Dresden's many markets.
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