One thing our Viking River Cruise through Germany had in common with the Christmas Markets we visited along the way was that they both gave food a starring role.
In case you missed it — or just to get in the right mood for what you’re about to see — you may want to take a minute to go back to yesterday’s post and look at my pictures from some of our favorite Christmas Markets.
On the cruise itself, we had a delicious dinner one night celebrating the country’s cuisine. These were all dishes we would get to taste often during our trip, especially at the Christmas Markets.
Now, I didn’t think I was a bratwurst kind of girl but somehow I found myself on our first night in Cologne with a slab of meat on a stick.
And I finished the entire thing.
I felt kind of bad because the amazing smell was testing Michael’s vegetarianism big time but we quickly discovered potato pancakes — a staple of the Cologne markets — which were fried to perfection and served with a generous helping of applesauce.
Everywhere we looked, there were sweets, from candy
to crepes
to pastries of all kinds.
And pretzels! The real kind of pretzels!
It was so much fun trying to figure out what the signs meant
and what the people were actually making.
We easily recognized frankfurters
and quickly got used to seeing this sign (remember the mugs I loved yesterday?)
and we figured out pretty quickly that Schneeballen meant Snowballs!
Note: These, sadly, don’t taste nearly as good as they look although if you go in knowing to expect a cookie-like inside rather than something soft and creamy, they do grow on you.
We didn’t expect to find Mexican food at the Christmas Markets
and we certainly didn’t expect to turn a corner and see this in Nuremberg:
My favorite! And look at the nice blankets they have outside so you can sit and enjoy a donut. Or two. How do you say Boston Cream in German?
I had to have one even though it was not exactly local cuisine.
Yes, I march to the beat of my own drum. But that’s okay because, to quote my can of Coke Light,
Or, according to Google Translate, “You’re really sexy because you go your own way.”
Ha ha! I’m going anywhere Viking River Cruises will take me!
Wow, look at all that great food. I would have LOVED that.
I would really love to experience Germany through its food. Everything looked so delicious and I really like the coca cola message.
I would, too! The food is just out of this world.
Oh wow what some delicious looking food, the Germans really seem to do some amazing things. x
Wow who would have thought that DD would have been there. I’m really looking into Viking for our cruise in 2017 but with the kids I’m not so sure if it’ll be the one.
Eating my way through Germany? Now that sounds like fun. Everything looked delicious, especially those potato pancakes!
Great photos Lois. Looks like you did have a delicious time!
Okay seriously, I just gained 5 lbs. just reading this. And I can have my DD coffee with all this amazingness…count me in!
Some Schneeballen with a coffee actually sounds pretty good. Those caught my attention..
This looks amazing! And I think a Viking River Cruise would be so wonderful – every time I see their commercial it looks so dreamy!
Wow – what a wonderland of delicious food!
We found the meals on the Viking surprisingly good and can’t wait to leave for Portugal with them in May!
I’m not a vegetarian but, other than potato pancakes and pastry, I think I might starve in Germany. Although I’m sure no one has ever starved on a Viking Cruise. I once went on a press trip to Southern Moravia (Czech Republic’s Austrian border) and quickly learned that almost every menu item OINKED! It was the wurst!Then again, how many upscale, gourmet German restaurants do we have in the US?
A Viking Cruise is on my radar, just not sure when. The food looks very tasty! I’m thinking it might be difficult to be a vegetarian in Germany.
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Yum! Everything looks delicious!
Sie sind ein schönes Mädchen, Donuts und Bratwurst liebt. (Okay, I had to look up donuts and was pleasantly surprised!) This looks amazing. Did you leave any food untouched? I wouldn’t! YUM.
Wow, there were definitely lots of sweets and treats. I hope you tried some pretzels, those look delicious!
Oh I’m so jealous! Randy and I were going to Christmas markets this year except he went into rejection….glad we didn’t go.
Now that looks like an amazing cruise. The food looks and sounds delectable. I would take a cruise like this for sure. Happy Holidays!
I hope the potato pancakes weren’t fried in lard, big over there. Everything looks fabulous!!!!
They have Dunkin Donuts too? The food looks so good, that meat in your hand is huge!
That food looks amazing. My favorite part of traveling is the food!
You are hitting some of the same spots that we visited this year in Germany and eating many of the same foods. How fun! I just had to try a pretzel everywhere we went. They were amazing!
I’m never surprised to see a Dunkin Donuts. But I’d definitely be surprised to find one here in the states that provided blankets for customers sitting outside. What a great idea.
I have not heart of the Coca Cola light before. Looks like they have great food!
This is so very cool. Germany is on my bucket list and I have always been fascinated by their cuisine, traditions, the people. Oh my gosh, I can’t stop looking at these beautiful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
That sounds like so much fun! And a lot of food
I was wondering if I would like the food in Germany. It’s looking like yes! Haha!
As usual I will be leaving your blog craving donuts and oh how I love bratwurst. I will be making it for New Years!
Those look like wonderful Christmas Markets for great shopping along with some delicious foods to try out as well!
The BEST part of the Xmas markets! I always eat my way through. Nothing better than pretzels and meat in Germany.