Sites handy for Christmas markets

twotwitchers
twotwitchers Forum Participant Posts: 37
edited August 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Does anyone have any good recommendations for sites in (mainly) Belgium or Germany, handy for the Christmas markets please? Those with nearby bus services etc, as we don't want to take our motorhome into city centres.  

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  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2018 #2

    Koln and Bremen are 2 that I have been to but that was years ago when we were living there. Most big towns have Christmas markets.

    I believe that Colmar in the Alsace has a very good one, not quite Germany but not far away.

  • anothersunrise
    anothersunrise Forum Participant Posts: 264
    edited August 2018 #3

    Brugge has one 

  • InaD
    InaD Club Member Posts: 1,701 ✭✭
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    edited August 2018 #4

    Cologne, Munster, Hameln, Nurnberg and Aachen are a few we've been to and all have sites near busstops.  Aachen has a stellplatz (which is more like a campsite than a stellplatz) within walking distance of the centre.  

  • Wanderbirds
    Wanderbirds Forum Participant Posts: 71
    edited August 2018 #5

    Hello Tt. Before I answer your question re recommendations I would offer some advice on Germany and tyres in winter.  In Germany in winter Mud and Snow (marked M+S) or Winter tyres marked as such or with a snowflake are required.  Michelin Argilis Camping (fitted to many motorhomes) are M+S.  We have been to the Christmas markets in Germany many times, sometimes when we have had snow and ice and sometimes not.  Fines and charges if you get stuck / cause an obstruction and don't have the correct tyres can be high.

    If you do not have "legal" tyres fitted I would advise sticking to France, Belgium and The Netherlands where "ordinary" tyres are OK.  Go to Valkenburg in the Netherlands, which has lots of campsites open and has two Christmas markets which are in caves (old quarries under the town). From here you can use the bus from several campsites to go into the town or Maastricht (Christmas market) from either of these there is a good train service which will take you to Aachen (our favourite mid-sized market) , Koln (6-7 markets - the "gay" market doesn't get lively until later than the others), Dusseldorf (5or6 we found) etc.

     Please advise whether you are Ok with driving in Germany, then I can make appropriate suggestions in the right countries.

    Regards,

    Carl

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