Festive fun in the UK and Germany
While not as sprawling as some of its larger counterparts, Stuttgart was easy to navigate using its metro system. As a travel counsellor, a top tip I always give to clients is to download Google Maps for your destination so it’s available offline. It’s a great app to help you identify the best way around a European city on public transport. This alleviates the common travel-related stress of getting around in expensive taxis – often in Europe public transport is so much quicker and a more enjoyable and authentic experience than being sat in traffic!
It was lovely to wander through the Weinachtsmarkt and to see the local people enjoying them as well tourists. There were a few to choose from of varying sizes around the city. Stuttgart itself is pedestrian-friendly, making strolling through the cobbled streets and smelling the aroma of mulled wine enjoyable. We discovered unique handcrafted souvenirs and tasted seasonal treats across the few markets we visited.
Of course, visiting festive markets is the typical thing to do while on a German city break at Christmas time. Although they were lovely, I like finding hidden gems in each destination I visit, and love to pass this knowledge on to my clients. Therefore, after some digging, I found out that Stuttgart is home to the world’s first-ever TV tower, with the bonus of a cute café at the top! This was my personal highlight – seeing the city from above, and learning some history while enjoying a hot chocolate and a cake.
The main purpose of this trip was for Tom to return to the small town of Reutlingen, south of Stuttgart, where he lived for several months. Although it’s a very quiet little town, we enjoyed its Weinachtsmarkt and even saw a local band performing festive songs. In addition, we conquered a Guinness World Record only found in Reutlingen – home to the narrowest street in the world (a record you certainly wouldn’t find in Dubai)! Every town no matter how big or small has a hidden gem. I’ll find these for you!
From Stuttgart, we jetted off to London, our previous home city of several years. We couldn't resist revisiting familiar haunts in Tooting, south London, especially the old pubs and markets we used to frequent. The local hangouts we frequented welcomed us warmly, offering delicious curries from the curry houses that have been stalwarts on the high street for decades now in Tooting.
Of course, we also spent time in the more ‘touristy’ parts of London, having fun with friends at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, seeing Nicole Scherzinger take the lead in the West End show ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and enjoying a night of festive music at the Sky Garden. Everywhere was buzzing, full of locals and tourists soaking up the Christmas atmosphere. London is so special at Christmas. I really recommend and encourage you to be organised with your itinerary, especially if you want to see a show. Booking your trains in advance is key if you’re staying elsewhere – I can book these for you and with all my years of experience living in London, can recommend the best-suited locations for your hotel.
The final leg of our festive journey took us to Sheffield, where Tom is from. The Sheffield Wednesday fan in him loved the footy action at Hillsborough, especially when they scored a very late winner after being 1-0 down against QPR. You can’t beat the atmosphere of a football game in the UK – there’s nowhere else like it. The camaraderie of fellow supporters and friends added to the excitement in the stadium.
Our final stop was Bakewell in the Peak District. The picturesque landscapes of the gorgeous village provided a peaceful contrast to the energetic city scenes we’d come from. With Tom's family, we enjoyed the unexpected bright blue winter sky that day and the beauty of charming cafes serving the famous Bakewell tarts.
We very much embraced our festive adventure even though it was a lot of travelling. My top tip for anyone is to pack lightly if you are thinking of doing something similar, in addition to booking national trains well in advance. It was great to be able to make the most of the London Underground and buses. I still believe London is home to the best public transport system in the world, due to being so user friendly, quick and affordable.
If you’re planning a trip to the UK and want to immerse yourself in the culture or the beauty of the countryside, I can arrange these excursions for you. Travelling can be stressful, especially when it comes to navigating a new city or making sure your itinerary runs smoothly. As a Travel Counsellor, I handle all the logistics, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday without worrying about the details.
Just as I planned our trip to seamlessly include a bit of everything, you can trust me to create a holiday that balances adventure and relaxation, tailored just for you and your family. Reach out today and let’s get planning!
