Berlin Germany Christmas Market December 2025

Berlin Germany A Festive Four-Day escape

Berlin at Christmas? Oh yes. Add fabulous friends, comfy boots, overflowing beer steins, and a very ambitious step count, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect long weekend. We flew out Friday and floated home Monday, full of memories, mulled wine and hot eggnog and mildly sore feet.

Friday: Getting Our Bearings (and Our First Beer)

Friday was all about settling in and soaking up the vibe. After arrival at our hotel, we headed out to get our bearings — and by “bearings,” we mostly meant finding Christmas markets. Berlin doesn’t do things by halves, so before we even realised it, we’d already ticked off several markets, each twinkler than the last.

The night ended on a high at the legendary Hofbräu Bar — and what a way to start the weekend. Think phenomenal hospitality, steins flowing freely, hearty food, dancing, laughter, and that infectious beer-hall atmosphere where strangers become friends and everyone’s having the best time. If Berlin had a “welcome party,” this was it.

Saturday: Explore, Eat, Repeat (22,500 Steps Later…)

Saturday was our BIG explore day — and boy, did we explore. Clocking up a whopping 22,500 steps, we started with a visit to the remaining sections of the Berlin Wall, a powerful and humbling reminder of the city’s past.

From there, we followed the river towards Berlin Cathedral, stopping nearby at a traditional cafe overlooking the river. Refuelled and ready, we continued our wander along the river to choose a river boat trip — a wonderfully relaxed way to see the city glide by.

As the sun began to set, we headed to Checkpoint Charlie, ticking off another iconic landmark before making our way to dinner at the highly rated Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt. No reservation, nearly every table marked reserved. We fully prepared ourselves for rejection… only to be met with the magical words: “We can fit you in.”

WOW. Just wow. Incredible service, huge portions, an excellent beer selection, and food that absolutely lived up to the hype. Ann's pork knuckle meal will be one of those meals we will still be talking about years later.

With darkness fully settled, Berlin’s Christmas markets truly came alive. On our long walk back, we visited as many markets as humanly possible — warming up with glühwein and hot eggnog, laughing, chatting, and admiring the lights and stalls. Cold hands, warm hearts, and slightly rosy cheeks.

Sunday: Underground Adventures & Iconic Sights

Sunday was another 18,500-step special, though this time we sensibly mixed walking with taking the underground. The day was packed with Berlin’s most famous sights:

Brandenburg Gate

The Jewish Memorial

Reichstag Dome, with views across the city

And the elegant Charlottenburg Palace

Mixed in with of course exploring the nearby Christmas markets in the early evening.

After a short refresh at the hotel, we decided a return visit to Hofbräu Bar was fully justified for our last night. Its infectious beer-hall atmosphere delivered again — endless laughter, good food, and once again a Bavarian live band that had the dance floor buzzing.

Monday: Homeward Bound

Monday morning arrived far too soon. One last breakfast, and a final toast to a city that gave us everything — history, sparkle, laughter, amazing food, and beer served properly in proper steins.

Berlin at Christmas is magical. It’s vibrant, historic, festive, and full of life — especially when shared with fabulous friends. Great restaurants, endless christmas markets, iconic sights, and more beer than strictly necessary…

Cheers, Berlin — you were unforgettable

#robandann

14-Day European Road Trip: 10 Hotels, 6 Countries, 4,178 km of Pure Adventure

14-Day European Road Trip: 10 Hotels, 8 Countries, 4,178 km of Pure Adventure

A journey through open roads, along canals, stunning views and fantastic mountain passes — from the Channel to Champagne country.

Day 1 – The Adventure Begins: From Calais to La Louvière, Belgium

Crossing the Channel, canals, and Belgian beer.

Route: Calais → La Louvière (205 km)
Highlights: Eurotunnel crossing, Strépy-Thieu boat lift, Belgian brasserie dinner.

And so, the road trip begins. After three hectic days of planning and packing, the adventure truly started with the Eurotunnel crossing — a smooth glide beneath the Channel that always feels like the true beginning of any European drive.

Once in Belgium, we headed for the Strépy-Thieu boat lift, an astonishing piece of engineering. For just £26, we joined a 2.5-hour canal tour that included ascending inside one of the world’s largest boat lifts — a surreal, slow-motion rise in a floating platform. A short train ride returned us along the canals.

Soon after we checked into the Orange Hotel, a welcoming and modern stopover. Dinner was at Brasserie Troll & Bush Dubuisson, where hearty Belgian food met Dubuisson’s own house beers. The perfect way to toast the beginning of 4,178 km of adventure.

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Day 2 – Cathedral Views and Craft Beers: Belgium to Strasbourg, France

Four countries, 445 km, and a climb to the skies.

Route: La Louvière → Luxembourg → Germany → Strasbourg (445 km)

An early breakfast and we were on the road by 8:30. Sunshine and showers chased us across borders — Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and finally France.

Our reward was the final 80 km of French D-roads, winding through villages and fields, the best driving stretch of the day. Arriving in Strasbourg, we checked into the K Hotel, then jumped on the tram straight to the Strasbourg Cathedral.

Climbing its 330 twisting steps was a workout, but the panoramic view over the city rooftops was worth every one.

Dinner was pure serendipity — Au Cannon, where happy hour lured us in. Craft beers (€5 a pint) and hearty Alsatian food kept us smiling. We ended the evening wandering Petite France, its half-timbered houses glowing under the night lights — a fairy-tale ending to a four-country day.

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Day 3 – Into the Black Forest: Strasbourg to Oppenau, Germany

Wind, winding roads, and the joy of the unexpected.

Route: Strasbourg → Baden-Baden → B500 → Oppenau → Rebstock (296 km)

We fuelled up and set off for Baden-Baden, stoping to take the funicular up Merkur Mountain — gusty but spectacular. Then came the legendary B500, the Black Forest Highway.

It’s scenic but surprisingly restricted, peppered with speed cameras and limits. The real thrill came when we detoured toward Oppenau — a narrow, hairpin-filled mountain road that tested both nerves and skill.

Coffee and Strudeltorte in Oppenau were the perfect break, and a local café owner even gave me a parking disc for free — German kindness at its best.

We stayed at the Landgasthof-Hotel Rebstock, a charming traditional inn where Google Translate earned its keep. Dinner was hearty, and yes — we cheekily claimed our breakfast seats early with towels.

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Day 4 – Alpine Magic: Through Switzerland and Liechtenstein to Nauders, Austria

Borders, lakes, and a perfect mountain pass.

Route: Oppenau → Lake Constance → Liechtenstein → Nauders (300 km)

A day of scenic variety — from Switzerland’s calm lakes to alpine passes. We cruised past Lake Constance, stopped for drinks by the shore, then detoured into Liechtenstein, where a riverside walk led us to the three-country border marker.

Lunch was a simple picnic shared between Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein — literally.

Skipping the long Arlberg Tunnel, we climbed the mountain pass instead — a spectacular route that tested the car and rewarded every curve. We reached Hotel Bergblick in Nauders, and were welcomely greeted. Booking direct paid off — deluxe room, breakfast, and a three-course dinner for just £3 more than the booking.com online rate of just breakfast only. A stunning hotel, brilliant staff, and a perfect mountain setting.

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Day 5 – The Stelvio Pass: Every Driver’s Dream

One of the greatest roads on Earth.

Route: Nauders → Stelvio Pass → Lake Garda (275 km)

We left early to conquer the legendary Stelvio Pass — twisting mountain bliss with the tight hairpins demanded precision. Stopping at the top, a Dutch driver pulled alongside and said that’s was fun following you up. Mirrors folded in, tyres scrubbed, the pair of us spirits high.

We continued on to Gavia Pass its narrow, twisting, and utterly exhilarating — often single-track with steep drops and few barriers. It’s quieter than Stelvio but arguably more dramatic with constant elevation changes and stunning alpine views and glacial lakes. Ann gripped the seat more than once along this pass, but I couldn’t wipe the grin off my face.

By afternoon, we descended toward Lake Garda, checking into Hotel Antica Croce next to the castle. Dinner there was pure Italian magic — generations of tradition, local wine, and genuine warmth. A end to a perfect day.

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Day 6 – Circling Lake Garda

From sunrise drives to sunset swims.

Route: Full Lake Garda circuit (140 km)

30°C, roof down, turquoise water shimmering — the stuff of postcards. We planned a quick loop around Lake Garda and ended up on an eight-hour odyssey. Every few kilometres another village, viewpoint, or café begged for a stop.

Each town had its charm, from lively Sirmione to peaceful Limone sul Garda. We missed the famous Strada della Forra (the James Bond Road), but that only means one thing — we’ll be back.

A long day, but one that perfectly captured the magic of Italy.

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Day 7 – From Mountains to Motors: Lake Garda to Maranello

Heat, heritage, and heartfelt moments.

Route: Lake Garda → Argenta Gap → Maranello (320 km)

35°C on leather seats — a scorcher of a drive! But a special one, as we visited the Argenta Gap War Cemetery, where Ann’s uncle is buried. A moment of reflection amid the miles.

Reaching Maranello, home of Ferrari, we checked into The Maranello Palace, directly opposite the factory. Dinner at Baratie Maranello was spontaneous and brilliant — local laughter, €3 happy-hour plates, and craft beer. Ann discovered a refreshing “Maranello piña colada,” and we toasted to another perfect day.

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Day 8 – The Spirit of Ferrari

Racing heritage and Italian passion.

A leisurely breakfast under the Italian sun, coffee in hand, with Ferrari’s iconic factory as the backdrop.

We spent the day exploring Maranello — its monuments, test track, and the Ferrari Museum. Later, we joined fellow fans in the Enzo Ferrari Auditorium to watch the Formula 1 race live.

Dinner in Piazza Liberta closed the day — warm night air, glowing streetlights, and that unmistakable hum of Italian pride.

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Day 9 – From Italy to the Riviera: Maranello to Biot

500 km, 70+ tunnels, and one hypercar.

Route: Maranello → Bordighera → Menton → Biot (500 km)

Today was about distance — 426 km on Italian toll roads, €37 total, and worth every pound. Smooth, scenic, and peppered with sky-high bridges and endless tunnels.

A roadside surprise: spotting a Pagani Utopia, a £2.5 million hypercar. Cameras out, jaws dropped.

We dropped off the toll road just before crossing into France, then we hugged the French coast line — Menton’s pastel beauty, Monaco’s cliffs, and Nice’s chaotic charm at rush hour. By the time we reached Biot, we were sun-tired but content.

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Day 10 – Route de Napoléon: Biot to Chorges

History and horsepower on one of France’s great drives.

Route: Biot → Castellane → Sisteron → Chorges (220 km)

The Route de Napoléon was everything we’d hoped for — sweeping bends, rhythmic flow, and no tolls in sight.

We picnicked by the river in Castellane, then explored Sisteron’s fortress, perched dramatically above the Durance. The final climb to Chorges was steep and barrier-free, but the view over the Barrage de Serre-Ponçon was breathtaking.

Dinner was a simple takeaway pizza, eaten in peace at sunset.

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Day 11 – Chorges to Annecy

Col de Manse, crisp air, and lakeside calm.

Route: Chorges → Gap → Annecy (211 km)

10°C and overcast — a shock after days of sun. The drive over the Col de Manse offered moody alpine views and Tour de France nostalgia.

Arriving in Annecy, leaving the car at the hotel, we caught the tram into Annecy where we took a 90-minute lake cruise, and though rain caught us afterward, dinner at a tiny Thai street-food spot made up for it.

By nightfall, the rain eased and we settled in, ready to explore more tomorrow.

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Day 12 – Castles, Canyons, and Craft Beer

Exploring the beauty of Annecy.

A perfect balance of culture and nature. We toured châteaux around Lake Annecy, watched paragliders land by the shore, and picnicked near Château de Duingt.

Later, we visited the dramatic Gorges du Fier, walking 24 metres above the roaring waters — one of the Alps’ natural wonders.

Evening brought local craft beer and conversation — a relaxed finale to a day of simple pleasures.

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Day 13 – Troyes: A Medieval Farewell

Old towns and Champagne dreams.

Route: Annecy → Troyes (437 km)

An early start through drizzle and toll roads brought us to Troyes, where the weather miraculously turned sunny just in time for lunch.

We spent the afternoon exploring its medieval core, all timbered houses and cobbled lanes, before settling by the river for drinks.

Dinner that evening in the old quarter was lively and full of nostalgia — our final night on the continent.

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Day 14 – Homeward Bound

Troyes → Calais → Home.

The final stretch. One last French breakfast, then back to Calais for the Eurotunnel crossing.
As the train hummed beneath the Channel, we looked back over 4,178 km of roads, mountains, lakes, and memories — 10 hotels, six countries, and countless smiles.

The European Road trip of a lifetime.

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✨ Trip Summary

Total Distance: 4,178 km (2,596 miles)
Countries: 6
Hotels: 10 (£1,426.22 total / £109.70 avg We had half board at some hotels)
Fuel: £433.71
Food: £256.08
Eurotunnel: £318
Favourite Drives: Oppenau Detour off the B500, Stelvio Pass, Route de Napoléon
Top Tip: Avoid toll roads — save money, find magic.

#robandann

Circular walk around Kersey via Lindsey

5.5-mile / 8.8 kms circular walk around Kersey via Lindsey

Wednesday's circular walk started from the pretty village of Kersey, Suffolk's quaintest village, with its many medieval timber frame houses estimated to date from between the 12th and 15th centuries, and are one of the biggest collections preserved in Suffolk and East Anglia.

The village itself sits in one of Suffolk's crumpled valleys “where the landscape corrugates”, with its principal claim to fame, apart from one scene from Lovejoy being filmed there, is that a coarse woollen cloth called Kersey cloth takes its name from it.
Parking the car on church hill leaving the handbrake on the car firmly on! The first thing that catches your eye are the original road signs from the early days of motoring.

Getting to the walk start point meant a short walk up church hill then climbing some steep stone steps leading up to the medieval St Mary church that stands prominently at the top of the hill above the village street.

Before actually starting the walk, we took a good look around the church. We find it fantastic that inside the church's someone has gone to the trouble to create a leaflet telling you lots of information about the church, so we always make a point of looking for them. We learnt that this church was in medieval times an important site of pilgrimage and also in WW2 a bomber which Leading Aircraftman Dougie Vince was in, was attacked by a Bf 109 as they returned from a raid on western Germany. The navigation instruments were destroyed and a fire started toward the rear of the aircraft. The navigator had no positional fix and fuel was critically low. The RAF, however, had installed two searchlights in the churchyard of St Mary's which illuminated the church tower, giving the pilots a known navigational reference point. As a result, the church gained the nickname of the “Thank God Church”. Mr Vince's bomber fixed their position and landed at a nearby airfield. The tail gunner died in the fire and Leading Aircraftman Vince's hand was almost burnt away as he fought the flames using an extinguisher that had become red hot in the flames.

Leaving the church, we walked down the hill towards the ford known locally as "The Splash", then turning left, into a steep slog up the crumpled valleys. So much for a gentle start!

With the weather being a nice 16 deg’s and sunny the rewarding views were excellent, and we carried on along the tops of the valley before eventually heading down to follow the stream out onto a quiet B road. A short walk along the B road we came across St James’s Chapel at Lindsey, a pretty thatched 13th century chapel owned by English Heritage, but unfortunately it was closed due to repairs required on the roof, so we could only view it from the road side. Carrying along the road into Lindsey we then stopped and looked around St Peters Church, a 14-century small rustic church that’s in need of some tlc.

Leaving the church, we continued to follow the road, until joining the footpath which forms part of the Wool Towns Walk, and headed into the woods. The woods were in the lower valley and in places were still quite boggy, so we found ourselves leaving the path to find a good route through. Exiting the wood the track then took us across the fields and back into Kersey for a well-earned refreshment at the Bell Inn.

Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8 kms
Weather 16 Deg’s and Sunny
Time: 2 hours
Start: Kersey - Church Hill (IP7 6EF)

#robandann

Coddenham and Hemingstone 4 mile circular walk

Coddenham and Hemingstone 4 mile circular walk

Approximately 8 miles north of Ipswich is Coddenham a small village which has a rich history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period.

Having driven through the village of Coddenham many times over the years on my way to various car shows. I was aware that the road that passes through Coddenham, High Street road, is very narrow in places and I wasn't sure I could park safely along it. A quick google search showed that along school road was a parking area at the community centre, this turned out to be a great move, as the community centre looked to be only a few years old and it also had lots of free parking.

The weather today was a nice 15 degs and sunny, with the walk taking us along the gently rolling suffolk countryside, through woodland, along field edge paths and quiet roads but more importantly it had no major hills .

Walking through the woodland areas it was lovely to see the ground was still carpeted with the last of the snowdrops and in places you could see the bluebells getting ready to come out. The ground was easy going and surprisingly very dry, which was great as we didn't have to keep de clogging our boots.

Our first stop was Mill Hill, here you can still see some of the foundation stones of the old post mill which was constructed in 1810 before being dismantled in 1909.

Further along the walk crossing a farmers field, and just a short distance in front of us a herd of deer suddenly appeared, stopped, then ran off past us. Unfortunately we were not quick enough with our cameras to get any good shots, but still a very nice sight to see.

The walk then takes you passed Hemingstone, it's not a large village, but here we visited St Gregory's church. The church has a 14th century octagonal font, a rare 16th century rood beam roof and 17th century wall paintings discovered when the walls were cleaned in 1930. Turning left out of the church a short distance along the road we came across the Hemingstone Hut, which looked like it was the village hall, but it's back history was that it was once a WW1 hut located in Rendlesham Forest and was moved to the village in 1920.

A few hundred meters further along we turned off the quiet road, and followed along the field edge, heading now towards Hemingstone Hall. Hemingstone Hall is a magnificent red brick, Jacobean manor house with Dutch gables that was built around 1625 and is Grade 1 listed, we were only able to view it from the gates as the hall is privately owned.

Passing around the perimeter of Hemingstone hall, the walk then took us along the nature trail through Broom Hill, an area of grassland and woodland gifted to the village of Coddenham in 1988. The nature trail lead to a kissing gate and a narrow path which emerged into the churchyard of St Mary’s church. An impressive church that has a double hammer-beamed roof with carved angels and a raised Norman chancel. I didn't have a compass to check this, but to me the raised Norman chancel and the later extension appeared to be at slightly different angles to each other, as the step up into the chancel was tapering on its width.

A few metres away from the church and nearing the end of the walk we came across coddenham community shop and café. This village shop dates from 1696 and the stabling at the rear once accommodated horse and cart deliveries. It would have been rude to pass and not support the local community, cheese scone and chutney with a pot of tea for Ann, and for me a slice of homemade lemon cake.

4 mile easy going walk with stops took us 1.5 hrs

#robandann