From Sunscreen to Snow: An Australian Family’s Christmas Market Adventure Across Europe

After years of celebrating Christmas in the sweltering Australian summer, one family traded sunshine for snowfall and discovered festive bliss in Europe’s famed Christmas markets. Timber chalets adorned with twinkling lights, merry-go-rounds spinning gracefully, and the smoky aroma of grilled sausages set the scene as the family of four embarked on a train journey through seven countries and eight cities, determined to soak up every seasonal delight along the way.

Back home, Christmas usually means roast dinners and plum pudding under the blazing sun. But with their eldest child now an adult, the family decided it was time to experience the winter wonderland they had long imagined.

A Feast of Festive Flavours

Food was at the heart of their travels. In Mainz, they savoured kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), while Prague offered klobása (Czech sausage with mustard and bread). In Budapest, langos (deep-fried flatbread) became a favourite, and their children couldn’t resist chocolate-covered fruit sticks.

Mulled wine was the drink of choice, with countless variations sampled along the way. But it was in Nuremberg that they discovered the unforgettable feuerzangenbowle a historic rum-soaked sugar block set aflame above a giant punch bowl, dripping caramelised sweetness into the wine.

Sights and Sounds of Tradition

Beyond food, the family immersed themselves in Europe’s festive traditions. Carol singers led them to the 1,000-year-old cathedral in Mainz, where they admired a life-sized hand-carved nativity scene. In Nuremberg, ornate rides and a dedicated children’s market added to the magic, even if they were too old to join in.

Crowds in London

Not every stop was serene. In London, the family abandoned plans to dine at markets in Leicester Square and Covent Garden, overwhelmed by throngs of visitors. Despite having endured the massive crowd at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Melbourne, they found the Saturday night crush at London’s Christmas markets too much, retreating instead to quieter streets.

Their journey proved that swapping sunscreen for snow was worth every mile, offering a festive season filled with flavours, traditions, and memories far removed from Australia’s summer heat.