Nuremberg: For the Kid in All of Us

Holding - Around The World - Escape

by Abigail Vint

Abigail Vint.

As you prepare to make this upcoming holiday season festive and jolly by racing around to malls and shops across cities everywhere, perhaps you will need some traditional inspiration. If you really want to wow the kids with Santa's expertise, why not journey to the home of toys? Nuremberg, located in the heart of Bavaria, Germany, is known worldwide for its excellent craftsmanship when it comes to toy making. Still the host of the international toy fair for over 50 years, the season of Christmas is when the city shines. Although also well known for it's connections with Nazi Germany during and following the WWII, it is rich with cultural history is that is also worth seeing.

Abigail Vint stops for a pose near a beautiful old cathedral in Berlin. Climbing to the top was scary but well worth it.

Traveller Type: Families and couples as well as history buffs will all enjoy this city. It's considered the home of Santa for some, has a romantic setting and also a vast amount of history dating back to the 1200s.

For Families: The toy museum is a treat for any kid aged 2-92. The Christkindlesmarkt (see below) is a special holiday treat as well. Parents will also find the Germanisches Nationalmuseum and the Neues Museum (also see below) a cultural experience for older kids.

Museums: Besides the famous market, Nuremberg is well known for its history and culture. You can take a tour of the castle up on the hill, Kaiserburg complex and get a great view of the city from above. You'll want to spend an entire afternoon at the newly opened Dokumentationzentrum (again, see below).

Costs: This is not a very expensive city to be in, for all the culture and experience you will get. Compared to other European cities, it is quite moderate and is definitely worth a couple days if you are touring around Germany.

Food will be fairly easy to come by--as long as you like sausages! Bavaria is known for its great food so be sure to try some of the local delicacies such as bratwurst (small grilled sausages). Costs for a quick lunch will range from 5-10 Euros, depending what you eat.

Accommodation can range from 13 Euros to 160 Euros, depending on your budget. A few ideas are listed below.

Places to Stay:

Budget: Lette'm Sleep is a well-known German-chain hostel and has quite a good reputation for cheap, fun, backpacking accommodation. Pretend you're royalty and check out the youth hostel Jugendherberge Nurnberg, which is next to the castle and a good central choice.

Mid-Range: Pension Sonne and Pension Vater Jahn are both listed by Lonely Planet as being great spots for private rooms that won't break the bank.

Expensive: MARITIM Hotel Nuremberg: a four-star chain hotel within easy walking distance to the medieval part of the city. Treat yourself here to a dip in the pool or relax with a cocktail in their piano bar.

Also located centrally is the Arabellasheraton Hotel Carlton. A Sheraton chain hotel, this place offers the luxury that goes with the name.

Best Time of Year to Go:

Top Five Must-Dos:

  1. Hauptmarkt and the Christkindlesmarkt: Travel back in time as you visit this authentic Christmas market. Toys, traditional goodies and traditional ornaments await you at the stands. A very important part of the market season is the Nuremberg ChristChild?, who opens the markets in a ceremony the Friday before Advent and visit children at the markets daily. This place will really take you back into time and remind you of the meaning of buying gifts that have been handcrafted throughout the year with care and dedication.
  2. St. Sebalduskirche: This gothic church was rebuilt after it the centre of Nuremberg was destroyed in allied bombing during WWII. The people of the city take much pride in this building as it is considered a renewal of the history the city.
  3. Germanisches Nationalmuseumtakes a look at the history of German culture and is considered one of the most important museums in the country for this type of knowledge. From archaeological artefacts to paintings, this museum will give you a much broader look at general Germany history.
  4. Neues Museum is a brilliant modern art museum that is a nice change to the traditional art you usually see is large museums in Europe. It's a refreshing change and an interesting look into modern art and design.
  5. Dokumentationzentrum: There really are not words to describe the importantance of these extensive artifacts of the history of the Nazi party and National Socialism. Everyone should see this collection as it gives you a deep look into the psyche of not only the Nazi Germans but also the general population who were living here during the 30s and 40s. In an effort to understand the past, it's important to see many sides and be able to dissect it and ultimately preventing the same mistakes from happening again.

References:

Lonely Planet