9 Days, 9 Countries, 9 Christmas Markets (part 2)

Over the next nine days, we are going to be traveling to nine different countries to visit the best Christmas markets in all of Europe. Why does it always have to be like this? Nothing is booked yet, so this is all subject to change. But the current plan is to start here in Brussels, Belgium, then head to the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia.

At least that was the plan. We've already completely changed course thanks to Germany's biggest snowfall in two decades. We've had some pretty stressful train rides, plus a two hour Uber to another country.

Yeah. Are you okay to go to Salzburg? Great.

I think we're nailing this travel day. But every great adventure comes with a little drama. We're currently three days into this adventure and so far we indulged in Belgian fries, waffles, chocolate and beer in Brussels. We survived the Krampus run in Salzburg. I can't open Stream. I've never eaten Stream before and enjoyed the best glue vine in Nuremberg. So join us for episode two as we travel to countries four, five and six.

Good morning from Nuremberg, Germany. We are currently on our way to the train station to head to our fourth country in four days.

So how early is too early for the blue line?

All right, we are about to board our first of two trains to Strasbourg, France. And if this train isn't delayed and we don't miss our connection, it'll be the first time that's happened in four days. Who knew visiting Christmas markets could be so stressful? This one, this one.

All right.

This is home sweet home for the next three hours.

These seats are massive.

So obviously we're trying to enjoy every market to the fullest, which usually means lots of gluh, vine, and as many of the local foods as possible. So far, most of the local foods are either really greasy and deep fried, very fat, or very sugary, Usually all of the above somehow. So we're doing our best to eat healthy.

In between.

Today's breakfast is banana and smoothie.

We've added a new challenge to this trip, which is in addition to visiting nine countries in nine days to visit nine Christmas markets, we're also going to watch all nine episodes of the Office Christmas. We're spending a lot of time on trains.

We're just goetters.

You know, stick around to the end because we will also choose an Office favorite.

Okay, we just had to pause the Office because something magnificent has happened. I have had thousands of coffees in my life and I think this might be a first. It's not confirmed, but it looks as though they've put coffee grounds and water in the cup and then the lid is the filter. I've never seen this before. Definitely did not expect this on a train.

Okay, we've made it to our connecting station 10 minutes late, but that means we should still have nine minutes to catch our next train.

Let's go.

It's so funny if you go to book a ticket on the train's website, like right at the very top, it brags about it's 97% on time rate and we have yet to be on time.

I don't know if this is right or not.

Why does it always have to be like this?

Well, turns out our train is 30 minutes delayed. I know I just went on and on about trying to be healthy, but.

Strasbourg. Strasbourg. It looks like Strasbourg. I shouldn't want to say it wrong. All day.

Happening. The train travel has been so chaotic that I've resorted to not booking our hotel until we're actually on the train to our final destination. So now I'm going to find a place to stay in France.

We're going to France.

It's also very quiet on the street. Hotel wine.

Oh, there you are. We made it.

Besides our 30 minute delay and and the door that just closed on my body, this has been our smoothest travel day in a very long time. We're here in Strasburg.

We made it to the city that calls itself the capital of Christmas.

I am looking forward to seeing if it lives up to the height. I feel like that's a pretty bold statement.

I don't know if like everybody calls them that or if they just call themselves that cuz there's a big difference.

France.

I'm so happy.

This hotel is funky.

Let's get a fun hotel tour of Europe.

Laundry day. What in the world does this mean?

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I'm so curious. This feeling of excitement, the moment we get to a new market is going to wear off. Like, so far we've done this four times, and each time I'm like, this is the best.

I thought Nuremberg was crowded, but this might be on another level. And it's Thursday. It's not even the weekend. Wow, look at this. The top of it is literally disappearing into the clouds.

All right, we just paid €8 to go up 300 stairs to the top of the cathedral. Wow, look, it's already a great view. I thought it would be packed, but for some reason, all the people down on the street who were wearing the big winter jackets didn't want to come climb 300 stairs. This is amazing.

157, 158, 159, 160.

I am actually getting so dizzy.

37, 243.

Whoa.

This is insane. I was just reading. The oldest part of this cathedral dates back to the 13th century. It's a little, like, uneasy just knowing how old of a building we're standing on right now.

Worth it.

Totally worth it. Working up an appetite for all the yummy French food we're about to eat.

Wonder what that's like.

She actually has yet to have any glue vine.

Speaking of glue vine.

One glue vine. Yes.

The red one. In this Pouch.

Okay. Thank you. In case you missed part one of our Christmas market tour series, Glue vine is typically the first thing we try when we get to a Christmas market because it is a staple. And we've been comparing each Christmas market based on their glue vine, the vibe of the overall market, and what's the third?

Food, of course.

Oh, the food, duh.

Maybe most importantly, I'm trying white blue vine for the first time.

Regret it.

Yeah. Cheers. Is yours different too? Is it like citrusy, like lemony? France does their hot wine very different. Let's go try it.

It's so different.

I don't think I'm a fan.

Any mulled wine is great in my book, but this is not what I'm used to and I don't think I love it. This was definitely unexpected. I was fully prepared to go.

Mmm. This is France has the best wine. France.

But it's not.

Wow.

They didn't disappoint with the lights.

No. They've done a great job of decorating. So the tree is actually the largest natural decorated tree in all of Europe. It is 30 meters tall. And to put that in perspective, the tree that's in Rockefeller center is only 80ft tall. So it's bigger than the most iconic Christmas tree in all of the U.S. okay.

This market has the most food I've seen in any other place. Let's go see what looks the yummy. Yeah.

That.

That is what I want.

Oh, this is it. This is your spot.

Oh, it looks so good.

Miss. Thank you.

Oh, my gosh.

I'm so happy. This pasta is called spatzil, which I believe is a Hungarian pasta, but they top it with Muenster cheese, which is a local cheese.

This might be the best thing I've ever eaten. I'm not just saying that the past. I need another.

Wow.

It just has this like je sais quoi. I don't even know what that means.

The best way I know to describe it, it's like a really fancy tasting Mac and cheese.

Okay. Kira hyped a lot of things up, but that is actually amazing. And now the tree is doing something special. Everyone's paused. I didn't know this happened.

Could life be any better right now?

This is so lovely.

Like we're in Amsterdam.

Yeah. Okay. This wasn't even on our list of those to try. We were walking in this amazing neighborhood on this canal with these really cool old looking houses. Like, it's very villagey feeling. And there was homemade soup on this lady's sign and steam was coming out.

And we just had to get it. Honestly, to find something that's not filled with sugar or fried is a treat at this point.

It's true. It came in the same cup that glue vine comes in. It's butternut squash with celery and carrot. She topped it with curried coconut cream, fried onion, and cilantro. I feel like I just need to sip it.

This is so satisfying. It's so cozy and warm. Savory.

So am I going to get my own?

Yes.

Okay. It looks so good.

Was it good? So this part of town that we're in is called Petite France, and it's just a bunch of homes that are from the 16th and 17th century with canals running through them. This probably wouldn't be considered like, the Christmas markets of Strasburg, but I think this is my favorite part.

So far, I have found my next dish. Stop it. He's making three. I thought I was just getting one.

Don't do that.

I'm so excited. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm trying to control my. Myself.

I think these are the same fried potato things that we had yesterday in Nuremberg, except here they put monster cheese on them. Like a big slab of monster cheese. Yeah.

And they toasted them on the spot.

We have been looking out for these all night.

O bona fuzzy.

Oh, my God.

Remember earlier, not too long ago, when I was like, this might be the best thing I've ever eaten? I changed my answer. I think it's even better than winning for food. Yes.

I think it's just because they put cheese on top of everything.