Birmingham Christmas Market.....celebrating German style

To some it is the moment the Christmas magic starts to shine, to others it is nothing but an annoying distraction that brings mayhem to the city centre during it’s busiest time of year. It’s the time of the year when city centres throw open their arms to welcome the continental markets to be their guest and provide the local inhabitants with the chance to purchase an array of goods and delicacies that they wouldn’t think twice of buying if they were being sold normally in the local shops.

Birmingham’s annual “ German Market” can only be considered a total success, year after year thousands flock to shuffle along within the massive crowds, desperately fighting to break free of the throng if they see something of interest being sold. The Cities Centenary square, Victoria square and it’s main shopping thoroughfare New Street house an array of wooden stalls selling German food and drinks. Throw in a sprinkling of Belgian Chocolates, Swiss Hot Chocolate, Traditional English Roasted Chestnuts together with the unusual Reindeer, Ostrich and Buffalo burgers on offer and this is a real cosmopolitan occasion.

 

Yes the drinks are a little more expensive, yes the queues are extensive, yes the crowds are a little too much at times, but it is a great event particularly on an evening when the stalls bright lights and Christmas decorations shine out giving a glowing feel good atmosphere to the area. As well as around 200 stalls, there is an outdoor ice rink with a large gallery of spectators gleefully laughing as the beginners come crashing down when taking their first steps on the Ice. Also right beside Birmingham’s new impressive Library is the Birmingham "Big Wheel" offering a trip that allows sights over the “second city”.

 

Some say that it is taking trade away from local shops and bars, that its packed streets provides a haven for crime and that it clogs up the road networks for those wishing to visit Birmingham City Centre for other reasons. However despite these negative comments, it could be argued that it is bringing customers into the city centre who would not have visited otherwise, customers who in turn may visit other shops whilst there.


Reports suggest that around 3 million people visited last years event and this year the evidence suggests a similar footfall.It does seem almost a yearly tradition for people to visit and take in the sights and sample the wares, an occasion for all demonstrated by the large number of families from all backgrounds enjoying the colourful sights and sounds.

…from Frankfurters to Bratwurst, from Strudels to Stollen, from Glühwein to Pilsner  …this is one month long event where a very pro European factor can be felt within the hosting UK cities.

Road Trip...3 reasons it's a must do experience

I have always had an interest in road trips ever since I saw Clark W Griswold in his attempt to reach the holy grail of Wally World in the hilarious National Lampoons vacation. Admittedly a strange mentor considering the trials and tribulations his family endured during their trip across the states, however the enthusiasm and endeavour shown won me over.

 

Having recently completed a second road trip around the deep south of the United States, I am itching for more and luckily the size of the US will give me the opportunity to carry a lot more excursions in the future. Whilst most of my friends are put off by the prospect of travelling so many miles in a two or three week period, I yearn for the chance to set off on my next adventure. How could I convince them that this wasn’t something to miss out on…. here are the 3 reasons I gave them…..

1 Planning and Preparation -

Planning and preparation is essential to make a successful road trip, our preparation began nearly 12 months in advance and it became a kind of hobby researching what was worth taking a look at and travel timescales between places. With your initial idea in place your Map became a blank canvas , allowing you to design your own route taking in whatever the region being visited had to offer. The Internet allowed us to pick a region and over time check all attractions, towns , sights that will fit around your time frame. Specific websites such as https://www.tripit.com/ give approximate driving times which are useful tools to see if a certain part of your journey is achievable in one day. We found most tourist boards, particularly within the US, really helpful offering brochures, attraction leaflets and State Road maps, which they were prepared to post out even to International addresses. This research was a really enjoyable part of the process and It was extremely rewarding when all our plans came together ensuring our trip allowed us to see all that we had originally intended to and plenty more all within our timescale and budget.

2 Variety of Experiences-

One of the great aspects of a Road Trip is that it allows a whole variety of different experiences to be gained within a short space of time. The first road trip we ventured out on allowed us to visit 5 States, 6 Major Cities, numerous small towns and attractions such as

Theme Parks – Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Lake WInnepesaukah in Chattanooga

Nature- The Smokey Mountains at Cades Cove, Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Lookout Mountain at Chattanooga

Historical sites- The Loraine Motel in Memphis (place where Martin Luther King was shot dead),  Johnny Cash’s grave, Dolly Parton’s home town in Sevierville, Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel

Musical historical sites - Graceland and The Sun Studios in Memphis, Elvis’s Childhood home in Tupelo, Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in Nashville,

Sporting events- Atlanta Braves Baseball game

Museums- Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, National Civil rights museum in Memphis

All this and much, much more in just a two week period.

Not only do you get to see the major cities and towns, the freedom to choose what route you go allows you to leave the interstates and take the back roads through numerous small towns each with it’s own character. You really are the master of your own destiny, If a place doesn’t live up to expectations then move on, no getting to a resort where you are stuck there for days on end with nothing to interest you.

To me It wasn’t just a vacation it was like being part of a storybook where each new place reached started a new chapter of your adventure with new places to explore and memories to be stored..

Vicksburg Riverside Murals

 

3 Expect the unexpected -

Despite doing plenty of research there is always some thing that crops up along the route to enhance your trip further. It may be something small or trivial but it will provide a memory to reflect back on and smile. We came across such an event whilst driving through the outskirts of Natchez, Ms where we came across the most unusual building that required us to turn round and go back to take a closer look. We were at Mammy's Cupboard, a building in the shape of a 28ft woman in skirt housing a real "Southern cooking" style restaurant. It was a very welcome distraction, adding a fun moment to our trip and a fabulous photo opportunity.

Merlin

 Upon your journey you will encounter some of the most marvellous characters, one of favourites was 89 year old "Merlin", who we came across at Vermilionville Living History Museum in Lafayette, Louisiana. Recounting tale after tale from his life, he charmed us all with his cheeky humour. We could have sat and listened to him for hours to his wartime and romantic recollections and in turn his musical interludes on the Cajun fiddle.


Admittedly a beach holiday may allow you the chance to see strange buildings and meet unusual characters. However a road trip with its constant change of scenery and regions will certainly increase the opportunity of being involved in that memorable unplanned experience.




Whilst the Griswolds trip had its fair share of catastrophes it certainly entertained it's many viewers and that is the beauty of the road trip whatever comes your way there is a memorable experience just around that next corner.....just watch out for the Pea Green "Wagon Queen Family Truckster" with the eccentric family onboard.