Record cold temperatures and abundant snowfall  will make 2009's Christmas markets in the heart of Germany one of the most memorable in decades. While Europe's extreme weather brought flooding to  Venice, Italy and snow to Nice, France, in Germany the plunging temperatures caused challenges for those attending the annual Christmas markets.

Deluxe river cruise ships were forced to transform into ice-breakers as they navigated their way through ice flows that formed on the Main River from Nuremburg to Frankfurt.  Sub-zero temperatures with wind chills of -18C greeted visitors to Christmas markets in Bamberg while blowing snow transformed Rothenburg ob der Tauber, known as the "Pearl of the Romantic Road"  into a real-life snowglobe. 

"Many passengers from countries such as Australia and the southern United States hope for snow on our Christmas cruises," said Nancy Paredes, Cruise Director on the luxury cruise ship MS Avalon Affinity which departed Nuremburg for Frankfurt on December 17. "This year they weren't disappointed."

Christmas markets are an important annual tradition in Germany.  The first Christmas market was recorded in 1393 in Frankfurt and today, over 2,500 Christmas markets take place across the country. They begin at the end of November and continue through to December 24 and 25 offering a festive atmosphere of lights, nativity scenes, romantic huts for sampling roasted almonds, traditional baked goods such as bratwurst and Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and festive drinks such as gluhwein (spiced hot wine).

For more information on Christmas Markets visit: Germany Tourism