Christmas Markets

[SMC Trading]

I am looking for a good Christmas market somewhere in Europe, ideally flying from London Stanstead, anyone have any ideas?

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by SMC Trading

I am looking for a good Christmas market somewhere in Europe, ideally flying from London Stanstead, anyone have any ideas?

There used to be a huge Christmas market in Rheindahlen but it's a few years now since I was last there.

The advantage of that one was that it wasn't on the tourist trail and so remained authentic

Might be worth googling maybe?

[SMC Trading]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

There used to be a huge Christmas market in Rheindahlen but it's a few years now since I was last there.

The advantage of that one was that it wasn't on the tourist trail and so remained authentic

Might be worth googling maybe?

That is a possibility Paul, what would the nearest airport be?

[relpet]

Back in 2002 we found a splendid market in the square in front of the Capitole building (City Hall) in Toulouse. We would use easyjet from Gatwick but any way you get there you can take the shuttle (Navette) bus into town from the airport for a few euros. If you want to hire a car make sure you park legally. Even on Christmas Eve we got a ticket for doing what everyone else was doing and parked in the street near the square. If you haven't been before Toulouse is a delight - knocks the socks off Rheindahlen!

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by SMC Trading

That is a possibility Paul, what would the nearest airport be?

Rheindahlen has its own airport Les but I think it's only open to military traffic these days - not sure though.

However, Munchengladbach is very close by.

[Tatts]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Rheindahlen has its own airport Les but I think it's only open to military traffic these days - not sure though.

I don't recall one being there, the trouping flights went into Wildenrath & latterly Bruggen.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Tatts

I don't recall one being there, the trouping flights went into Wildenrath & latterly Bruggen.

That's true, but there is definitely an active airfield there. Perhaps JDC could confirm.

Regardless, I KNOW there is an airport at Munchen

[Jürgen]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Rheindahlen has its own airport Les but I think it's only open to military traffic these days - not sure though.

However, Munchengladbach is very close by.

Very close, Paul, just an ö instead of an u.

Mönchengladbach (MGL), officially Düsseldorf Mönchengladbach. Or Düsseldorf International (DUS) isn't far away. Or, although some more miles to drive, Cologne (CGN).

As the JHQ is located at Rheindahlen there won't be any civilian air traffic.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Jürgen

Very close, Paul, just an ö instead of an u.

Quite so Jürgen.

The diacritic over the O had the effect, if I recall, of changing the sound to the untrained ear of the British serviceman to a sort of U sound hence my lazy spelling

Do you know if there is still a Christmas market at Rheindahlen?

[uk_dave&gill]

Originally Posted by Jürgen

Or, although some more miles to drive, Cologne (CGN)

I know that these codes are probably internationally agreed (I do like "LAX" ) but using CGN for Köln always wrankles with me. It's not even pronounced as "kol-own" so why do they spell it that way? (OK as "Cologne" I guess it's French spelling, but either way, it's a German city so should be spelt how they spell it!)

(Great city, good market from memory, go there! Alternatively Brugge aka Bruges is, IIRC, accessible by Eurostar?)
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