Encore Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022 at 3:30 p.m. on KPBS TV / On demand with iTunes + Prime Video
Join us on our discovery of Europe's Christmas Markets, where the town center, market square or just the narrow, cobblestone streets of the cities and towns of Europe come alive in winter with festively decorated wooden stalls offering all sorts of treats and delights. As we travel through Germany, France and Switzerland we visit cities and towns and learn of their history, see their major sights, and visit their charming markets. Besides being a visual treat, the show is also a musical treat, as the Kingston Trio provides special folk arrangements of traditional Christmas carols to add to the magic and enchantment of the medieval and castle towns we visit.
In our visit to Bernkastel-Kues we see the town hall decorated as an advent calendar, and learn of the traditional beverage of the markets, the Gluhwein.
In Nuremberg we visit the imposing castle, and one of the most famous of all the Christmas markets. You can almost smell the roasting sausages and gingerbread sold in the stalls.
In Rothenburg we learn of the traditional wooden Christmas decorations from the son of the founder of the Kathe Wolfhart Christmas store, and wander along the ramparts the the fairy tale village.
Then we have a quick stop in the wine town of Rudesheim. A unique visit is made to the ancient town of Michelstadt and its Christmas market.
And then into France, to see how the French celebrate the season in Strasbourg. We conclude our travels in Switzerland, with the sights and sounds of the holidays in Basel and and the alpine city of Lucerne.
This show is a true Christmas treat, as we experience Europe at a time of community, conviviality and color. It will fill your senses with the warmth and the fun of the holiday season, with some geography and history lessons to boot!
