Another year’s end approaches and thoughts turn to last-minute seasonal destinations, including Germany’s Christmas markets. Our favourite is Lübeck, with its seven Weihnachtsmärkte between late November and 30th December.

Fairytale Germanic atmosphere
Whether for family fun or romantic escapes, Lübeck’s UNESCO World Heritage Site delivers a genuine fairytale atmosphere plus superb shopping and dining. Once upon a time, Ryanair flew direct to the Hanseatic port city. Alas, no more, but with Hamburg Fuhlsbüttel airport only 90 minutes away, Lübeck remains easily accessible.

Medieval Lübeck’s cityscape is defined by the River Trave surrounding the city’s heart, the bridges and ancient city gates with quintessentially Germanic red-roofs. From the main Holstentor to the Marienkirche and Buddenbrook-haus, history, culture and romance are ingrained in this eminently walkable destination that’s known as ‘the Baltic’s Venice’. Even WWII bombing couldn’t obliterate every historical vestige, so Lübeck retains myriad delights – including the Marienkirche’s poignantly fallen and partially-melted bells.

Sizzling wurst and spiced spit-roast ham
Accommodation is plentiful and good. We love stylish family-run Hotel Lindenhof just west of Holstentor, or try the Trave-side Radisson Blu Senator or Ringhotel Jensen. Settle in, then explore on foot and sample seasonal specialities such as sizzling weisswurst, spit-roasted spiced ham in warm crusty bread, delicious gingerbread and marzipan goodies – Lübeck is home to this love-it-or-hate-it confection!
For more formality, try Schiffergesell-schaft, Café Erdapfel, Taste or Brauberger zu Lübeck for German culinary authenticity. Or a multitude of inter-national restaurants and cafés scattered around like December’s snowflakes.
Dress warmly because cold winds blow off the Baltic – another reason to cosy-up over glühwein. Snow’s a real possibility too, and a suitably romantic backdrop to the seasonal lights.

New Year’s Eve is a highpoint
New Year’s Eve – Silvester – is a highpoint in Lübeck’s year. All evening, the streets are deathly quiet while Lübeckers celebrate indoors. Then, just before midnight, the streets fill with people – many toting firework-packed rucksacks. The footbridge across the Trave at Beckergrube is a favourite place to celebrate and the water may even be frozen. When the New Year arrives and a fury of fireworks is released, you’ll be glad you ventured out and joined in.
Lübeck offers all the romance and seasonal atmosphere you could want; accommodation and dining are excellent; and it’s conveniently close to big-city Hamburg. But that’s for another time. For now, Lübeck calls! If you’re quick, you could still see-in 2018 there!