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This blog is about our family trip to Europe for a Danube River cruise, Christmas Markets, and a visit to Budapest.

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December 17/18 – Leaving for Nuremburg

Jessica and crew picked us up around 6:00pm for our trip to the airport.  Will’s dad, Bill accompanied us so that he could take the car home instead of parking at the airport.  Our flight is delayed a couple of hours but the British Air suggested we get there for the original departure time in case they are able to get the delay dealt with.  They didn’t manage to do that but at least we were able to stay in the lounge…food and drinks and much more comfortable seats.

Eventually we were on a plane and settled in for the long
flight.  First thing they did is feed
us.  Dinner at 11:00 or so at night. 

Some of us managed to get some sleep and others not so
much.  We had a layover in London.  Fortunately, we had enough time between
flights that we were able to make our connection to Munich. 

We arrived in Munich near midnight and checked in to the
hotel.  Pick-up for our transfer to the
boat is at 10:00 in the morning so we all hit the beds. 

December 19 –Nuremberg, Germany

Everyone was able to get up in time for some breakfast
before it was time to board our bus for the drive to the boat.  There was a lot of snow on the ground…looks
magical.  Hopefully we will have a white
Christmas. 

We met Tara and Claus and were off right on time for the two
hour drive to Nuremberg.

We were on board the AmaVerde by about noon.  The boat had some food and drinks available for a light lunch.  Tara arranged for a taxi to pick up whoever wanted to head into Nuremberg.  Liam wasn’t interested in going so Mary stayed on the boat to look after everyone’s carryon luggage. 

The group went in to Nuremberg... 

Seen in front of a store.

to the Christmas market in a central square.  As we remembered from our last trip to Europe for the Christmas Markets...it was magical.

The market square had a large fountain at one corner, the Schoner Brunnen

At one end of the plaza was the Fruenkirche.

From down the street they could see the St Lorenz Church.

They also had some famous Nuremberg sausages at a sausage
house.  Nuremberg sausages are about the
size of a large finger.  The story is that
they were made small so that they could be pushed through a keyhole to feed
prisoners.

The group was back late afternoon and we were all able to
check into our rooms.  There are three other couples in the group and we will met up with them in the lounge before dinner. 

 After dinner we were all quickly in bed…jet lag certainly isn’t fun. 
The boat is staying overnight at Nuremberg so we will be touring there
tomorrow. 

December 20 – Nuremberg Castle and Christmas Market

We split into two groups today for a city tour with a drive by the city walls…all pretty
much intact.

The walk gave good views of the city and the old buildings. 

Most of the group took the tour that included the
castle,

St Sebald Church,

and the Christmas Market.  

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Video of Frauenkirche church

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More Nuremberg Christmas Market

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Jessica and Mary just did the Christmas Market.  Jessica is just getting over a broken foot
and didn’t want to do too much walking. 

When the groups connected Will decided he wanted to go to the nearby Toy Museum.  We all went with him.  Liam much prefers doing hands on things and there were toys to work with. 

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More Nuremberg 

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Some photos on the AmaVerde.  She was dressed up nice for Christmas.