Where I’m Going (and Why I’m Taking Trains)
When I plan a Christmas Market run, I want a mix: classic German markets, a little theme-park magic, and a couple big-city “wow” moments. I also want to feel welcome as a traveler and have a few queer-owned spots on my map. Here’s how I picked my 2025 route, plus why I’m choosing trains over cars or planes.
How I picked my cities (with LGBTQ warmth in mind)
- Berlin: Big, bold, and full of markets. I’m doing Rotes Rathaus, Weihnachten im Park, Gendarmenmarkt at Bebelplatz, and the LGBTQ Christmas Avenue. Berlin is a great first stop: lots of flights, strong transit, and a real queer scene. I add two cafés to my map where I know I’ll be comfy, warm, and fed. Plus I did a long tour of Berlin in 2024 so it makes the start easy for me since all the research is done.
- Cologne: The Cathedral market is a show. Heinzel’s Wintermärchen adds a cozy, old-world vibe. Cologne also has an LGBTQ community woven right into the city. Plus it has a Chocolate Museum and if you know me you know I am not passing up a sweet treat! It’s also a friendly base for my day trip to Phantasialand Wintertraum (more on that below).
- Phantasialand: This is a winter theme-park mood board. Lights, rides, hot food, and that steampunk-dream area called Rookburgh. It’s easy to reach by train + shuttle from Cologne, and it gives me a different kind of Christmas feeling than a standard market. Not only that with the possibility of snow on an already ridicoulsy well-themed amusement park. Can you say #Aesthetics?
- Frankfurt: A classic old-town market with those pretty timbered buildings. It’s also a useful rail hub, so I can hop in for an afternoon, get the skyline shots, sip something warm, and keep moving without losing a day. Now my research is that Frankfurt is not a long term stay; but it is a great base for the next location- Strasbourg.
- Strasbourg: The “Capital of Christmas.” I want the Rue du Maroquin teddy bear house (yes, I am absolutely that person), and I like how Strasbourg feels both French and German around the holidays. And did you know the region inspired the town from the Disney Movie Beauty and the Beast.. Does that mean Gaston might be walking about to stare at?
- Paris: Ummm. Of course I am going to see Paris in Winter. Paris is not only the best in spring! I’m hitting the market at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries, and Hôtel de Ville, but Paris in December is also about lights. I plan a 60-minute lights walk plus of course a stop for Hot Chocolate. So I know I wont just wander and miss it. This is a once in a lifetime trip. Also Paris has plenty of queer-friendly cafés; I star a couple near my markets and plan my days around that!
- Disneyland Paris: Look, I grew up on Disney music; I am gonna age myself but we had all of the Disney DTV music videos on VHS. A winter day has to be pure joy, and the parades and decorations will be life affirming. Plus my last trip I missed one important thing. Visiting the Dragon below the castle. Not making that mistake again. . I’m also trying Pym’s Kitchen because I like a price-per-portion moment.
- London: Having seen a YouTube video of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland years ago. It is huge and has been on my radar ever since! Plus the London’s lights (Oxford, Regent, Carnaby, Covent Garden) are a whole event. I also like Southbank, Leicester Square, and King’s Cross Market for quick shoots. London has a rich queer scene, so I pin a couple spaces to warm up and chat. And I may be considering a show at Magic Mike Live while there. Don’t tell my mom. Shhhh.
That’s a lot of city names, but notice the shape: clusters. Cologne ↔ Frankfurt ↔ Strasbourg is a neat triangle. Paris ↔ Disneyland Paris ↔ London works with the train. Berlin sits at the start when I’m fresh and ready to sprint.
Why I’m doing trains (and not cars or planes)
I’m team train for this kind of trip, and here’s why:
- No gas, no parking, no low-emission zone drama. Many European cities have rules for cars in city centers. I don’t need that stress during the holidays.
- No “other side of the road” issue in the UK. I love London, I do not love resetting my brain to drive on the left. I’d rather ride the Tube and be happy.
- City-to-city centers. Trains drop me where I need to be. I walk or hop local transit. No shuttle from a far airport, no 90-minute bus, no expensive taxis.
- Work time. On trains, I sit, warm up, sort photos, write a few captions, and eat a snack. Done.
- Weather buffer. Winter weather can hit planes and roads hard. Trains have issues too, but I can usually rebook or catch a later one the same day, and I’m still downtown.
I’ll do one plane if I must for the very first hop into Europe, but after that I’m rail all the way. I look for direct trains first. If I cant complete the trip direct building in 30-45 minutes into my schedule allows me the time to grab a snack and run to the restroom and if I am dragging luggage with me make it an hour MINIMUM.
Sample flow for my Tour
- Fly in → Berlin (2 nights) . I did an 8 day stay in Berlin last year.
- Berlin → Cologne (2 nights)
- Cologne → Phantasialand (2 nights) with a day trip to Phantasialand
- Cologne → Frankfurt (2 nights)
- Frankfurt → Strasbourg (Day Trip)
- Frankfurt → Paris (train, 2 nights)
- Paris → Manchester (FLY) Hey the other reason why I am taking this trip is Jamiroqaui is concert while I am there!
- Manchester → Disneyland Paris (Fly and Train) 2 Nights
- Disneyland Paris → London (4 Nights) Tran with Eurostar
Train tips that keep it smooth
Book long hops early to lock seats and prices.- Travel light: carry-on suitcase + small day bag. You don’t want to drag a heavy bag across cobblestones in the rain.
- Pass vs Single Tickets: Compare the Eurail Pass vs single tickets before purchasing
- Snacks + water. Elevator lines, crowds, and cold = eat before you’re cranky.
- Offline maps and tickets downloaded. Wi-Fi is not a plan
- Luggage Storage: Arriving late locate and book for Luggage Storage that way you can run to visit a Christmas Market or 2 before heading to your Hotel.
I’m excited for the full range of sites. From old squares, big-city lights, steampunk roller coasters, and cozy café breaks where I can thaw out and feel at home.
That’s Part 2. In Part 3, I’ll get into how I find the markets inside each city, how I get around once I’m there, and how I learn the food, rides, and prices fast so I spend more time sipping and less time searching.
