The Christmas Market of the city of Nuremberg is famous worldwide. With over two million visitors per year, the "Christkindlesmarkt" is almost a multicultural experience all by itself as you will be surrounded by people from all nationalities and no matter where you come from, you might be able to hear people speaking in your own language. But few of these people know about the market of Nuremberg's twin towns, located right behind the Christmas Market. The market has over fifteen stalls offering original local products. You'll be able to find Scottish kilts, Spanish wine, Russian matryoshka dolls and much more. The atmosphere also has its own flair. The ever-present crowds just a couple of meters away won't be as prominent here. You'll actually have time to stop and look at the products without being pushed around or stepped on. If you're planning on going to Nuremberg this Christmas, do go to the Christkindlesmarkt; its fame didn't come out of nowhere. But don't forget to check out the smaller but equally magical market of the twin towns.

www.christkindlesmarkt.de/english/
Google map: bit.ly/e9Fq8M

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Zirndorf is a small town near Nuremberg and home of the Playmobil Fun Land. Hotel Knorz is a 20 minute walk along paths to Playmobil, signposted by Playmobil figures.

Hotel Knorz offers bed and breakfast in a 1960's built but refurbished building on 3 floors (no lift). They have serveral family apparments, which include a fridge, two ring electric cooker, kettle and crockery. So you can bring that fussy child and eat in.
Breakfasts are a buffet of cerals, cold meat, cheese, smoked salmon and fruit, with fresh rolls and croissants and hot chocolate and chocolate spread for the kids.
The hotel is down a quiet side road, but the garden rooms have the advantage of being away from what trafic there is.

Staff were very helpful and with only one exception spoke english very well. The families staying were all german apart from us.

Zirndorf is a very attractive town with many old buildings and lots of outdoor seating at restaurants and cafes.

Volkhardtstr. 18
90513 Zirndorf
0911 / 96 06 350
knorzhotel@t-online.de
www.knorzhotel.de

Nearest station is Zirndorf, which has a 30 min service Monday to Friday, hourly at weekends. Alternatively you can get the U3 tube and then bus 70 or 72 from central Nuremberg.
It is a 10 minute walk from the rail station to the hotel.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Playmobil Fun Land is a themed activity park based on the Playmobil children's toys. It is aimed at children under 12 and is fun interactive activities. There is minimal queing and no roller coasters, just lots of things to do. We spent two whole days there. Hight season entry (August 2009) was 10 Euros per person irrespective of age, so 40 Euros for a family of four per day.

Things to note:
Much of the play involves water, so come with swimming gear to stand under the waterfalls. If soemone gets wet, use the tumble dryers provided to dry clothes.
There is a large indoor section if it's raining. Outdoors, sandpits and things are covered with awnings on hot days.
Food and drink is NOT a rip off e.g. tea for one Euro, single scoop ice cream cone 80 Cents!
The cafeteria has lots of choice eg pasta with different sauces and pizza, very much aimed at kids. A kids meal is 42 Euros.
You pay a pfand (deposit) on all crockery which is then refunded when you hand it all in, so keeping everying tidy and clean.
Most staff speak very good english.
Much of the park is wheel chair accessibile (so good for buggies too) and they have a wheel chair raft on the boating lake.

We had two super days out and the kids would love to go back.

There is an appartment hotel with family rooms for four across the road from the park. However, as the park is not loacated in a particularly interesting part of Zirndorf we stayed at the Hotel Knorz, an easy walk to/from Playmobil and the town centre.

PLAYMOBIL-FunPark
Brandstätterstraße 2-10
90513 Zirndorf

Phone 0911/96 66-1700
www.playmobil-funpark.de
funpark@playmobil.de

Nearest station is Zirndorf which has a 30 minute train service from Furth which is on the main line to Nuremberg (or use the Underground)
Alternatively, get the bus 113 from central Nuremberg. Tourist info in Nuremberg have all the details and will printout timetables for you.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

One of the best restaurant/beergardens I've ever been to is located in the old city wall, partly in the tower, partly in the walk along the battlements. There's a variety of things on offer. Sit under old trees in the beergarden and enjoy local and Polish fare which is excellently cooked, and beer which is excellently brewed. Or sit on one of the romantic little tables by candle-light in the walk on the battlements with your sweetheart, looking at the medieval castle skyline. Or sit inside in the restaurant on rustic dark wood tables. Be sure to check out the large function room in the tower with near-360 degree panoramic views above the roofs of Nuremberg. Enjoy!

Hintere Insel Schütt 34;
tel: 0911 242 77 40;
email: info@restauration-kopernikus.de
www.restauration-kopernikus.de/restauration-kopernikus.html;
Closest U-Bahn: Woehrder Wiese, or walk from Lorenzkirche U-Bahn in 5-10 mins, going eastwards along the river Pegnitz past the lovely Heilig Geist Spital

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends