Bavarian Christkindlmarkts--Fuessen and Kempten

We decided to spend one more day and night in the gorgeous Ammergauer Alpen region of Bavaria. The towns in this region are Oberammergau, Ettal, Unterammergau, Saulgrub, Altenau, Wurmansau, Bad Kohlgrub and Bad Baversoien. 

The Garmisch, Fuessen and Kempten markets are on the list for today.

On our way to Garmisch, we stopped at the grocery store and bought some local Christmas goodies.  We then drove across the street to the Getranken Market (drinks).  We bought some local Ettal Monastery liquor.  When we returned to our car a note was on the driver's door saying that someone would like to buy our car.  Now, really?  Marianne was very suspicious and we quickly drove off.  We felt that someone saw the loot we just bought in the car, tried to open it, and put the note there just in case we saw them trying to get in.

Somehow we got sidetracked in Garmisch.  So, we decide to go to the market in Fuessen.  We drove there via Reutte, Austria.  The road we took went past Linderhof and through the mountains south into Austria.  As a precaution, the road had salt and gravel on it.  We are lucky that it is only drizzling.  In Reutte we stop at a McCafe and enjoy Schwarzwalder kuchen and a cappuccino.  I really do have Marianne convinced that this is the best--and it is.

In Fuessen, we find a handicapped parking space very easily and walk to the Advent Market.  It is small, however, the setting is really pretty--in the courtyard of  Kloster St. Mang.

Market Inside the Abbey's Courtyard

Entrance to Fuessen Weihnachtsmarkt

Stall at Fuessen Market

Just as we entered the square, the church bells started ringing.  The fronts of these stalls are very decorative each one having a different look, or theme.  It is very quaint and festive. It's a very small market of about 30 stalls that is only located within the walls of the former abbey's courtyard.  There are a lot of handcrafted items along with some meats and, of course, gluhwein.



I walk out of the market with an empty gluhwein mug to add to my collection.

On previous trips, I have never been in the Stadtmitte of Fuessen. It was nice to stroll through this small town.  It has several pedestrian-only shopping streets and the buildings are ornate.  At the intersection of several streets stands a very large, live Christmas tree.  I guess it will be lit later in the evening. 

Kempten Market

We locate the A7 Autobahn and head west to Kempten.  Once again in the Stadtmitte (city center) we find a close parking space and walk to the Rathaus.  The entrance is similar to Salzburg with a large sign and lights strung between the buildings.

There are many different items for sale, however, none of the traditional Christmas decorations.  It's interesting how these markets do not carry those items.  They have handcrafted soaps, candles, and wooden ornaments.  Also, leather purses and jewelry made from the local stones (rose quartz, amethyst).  There are a few food stalls with smoked meats, large Christmas cookies and chocolates. The gluhwein stalls do not have a special mug for their Kempten market.  So, I walk out empty handed.  Steve won't believe that! 

Kemptener Weihnachtsmarkt

Kempten Market with Rathaus in Background

Returning to Unterammergau and on the outskirts of town, we stop at Luzia's Stueberl for dinner.  Josef, whom I met on the hill yesterday during my walk, is there with his friends Hans and Sasha (who speaks good English).  After our wiener schnitzel dinner mitt salat und spaetzle, we sit down with them and talk for a while.  Josef and Hans have a sniff of tobacco here and there.  I guess it's something they do in Bavaria, instead of smoking a cigarette. Hans was on his 4th very large beer.  He said he averages 6. I enjoy a small, white beer with lemonade mixed in.  It was actually very good and I don't drink beer. It was nice talking to the locals.  They REALLY enjoy their time in the restaurants and their bier!  We return to the apartment at 11:00 pm. 

We're off  to Munich, for sure, tomorrow.  Have to start heading north for my final night in Rudesheim on Tuesday evening.  Guten Nacht!