Trierer Weinachtsmarkt is wonderful and traditional Christmas market in Germany's oldest city. The…read moreWeignachtsmarkt is nestled in the cities downtown market square located by the beautiful Cathedral of St Peter. The market has more than 100 booths with crafts, foods, drinks, Christmas ordainments, and much more! Parking can be a bit tricky but there are several parking garages within walking distance. The market brings you back to a simple time of enjoying good food, people, and the Christmas season.

According to the organizers, travelers from a total of 121 countries have selected their favorites…read morefrom 20 nominated Christmas markets from all over Europe. The Trier Christmas Market received the most votes in Germany in this online vote. According to the local organizers, for the year 2021, Trier received the title: "Best Christmas Market in Germany 2021" from the tourism platform "EuropeanBestDestinations." It's definitely a small Christmas market in this well-traveled ancient Roman city. As you enter this city market plaza from north, you're welcomed by the very impressive large Roman city gate, Porta Nigra (Black Gate, photo) built cir. AD 170. Today, it's the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps. It is designated as part of the Roman monuments with Cathedral of St. Peter and Church of Our Lady as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Access to the 41st Christmas market in Trier from November 19 until December 22, 2021, is based on the current status with the "2-G rule." That means for those who have been vaccinated (complete vaccination protection + 14 days) or those who have recovered (with a certificate from the health department or doctor up to 6 months old). According to the state's Corona regulation, children up to and including 11 years of age are exempt from this access rule. From Wednesday, November 24th, you must wear a mask when visiting the Christmas market. In addition to proof of vaccination or recovery, also have your ID card ready. In front of the imposing Trier Cathedral and on the medieval main market, a unique decoration concept and handcrafted Christmas decorations as well as delicious regional specialties invite you to take a leisurely stroll. Original "Winzerglühwein" and "Glühviez" are particularly valued by visitors. I will not make this a destination of your trip, but if you're in the area already, it's worth making this one of your stops for sure.

Amazing place for an exhibit! This old iron works used to employ over 17,000 people but was shut…read moredown when modernization became too much to keep up with. Now it houses some really cool tours and various traveling exhibits This season, they're showcasing Buddha & offer almost 250 treasures - all from private collections. Some never seen before & most are a one of a kind in its design, material make up or the fact it's intact Loved how they intertwined the statues in between the huge machinery of the iron works On the other side of the building complex is the UNESCO heritage portion where they have plaques and multimedia videos about the iron works and you can even put a hard hat on & go up the elevators to the tops of the furnaces where they'd shovel in the raw materials to be melted down & also the huge fire steam pressure release valves where they'd keep the temp regulated. So very cool!!! Most info in German, French & English.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this one dedicated to the 100 year old ironworks here in the…read moreSaargebiet. This particular ironwork was influenced by iron production witnessed in the US. It is responsible for armaments production during both world wars. The entire site of 6 huge blast furnaces and coke ovens and gas capturing devices really makes one feel so insignificant. Was lucky enough to see an exhibition on Buddha, all of the pieces belong to private individuals so this was the only time in my life that I could witness these beautiful pieces. The ironworks are unique, it is not just another industrial site after the Ruhrgebiet. All of the placards and electronic stations were also in French and English. Just outside the compound, steel products are still being produced. All simple amazing.