I want to go back to the Christmas Market to shop and eat. I would buy some of these aromatic dried fruit and spice hangars for myself and my friends. They smell and look divine. I couldn’t buy any because there was no room in my suitcase.
They also have soap and bath salt hangars that would make your bath smell heavenly.
Eating is the principal reason I want to go back to the Christmas Market! The hot off the grill lokse or potato pancakes were ridiculously good.
The piping hot langos, which are garlic fried potato flatbread, were out of this world.
Top it off with a cup of hot, spiced, mulled wine, in a variety of flavors, and you can see why I want to beam back there right now! That was my cup of spiced red wine you are looking at.
They had all sorts of fabulous foods and I would like to have time to try them all!
The ice rink in the old town center was getting readied for holiday skating.
Bratislava is a browsers paradise,
with quaint streets, wonderful shops,
and delicious restaurants.
There is beautiful architecture,
and fascinating history to keep your mind occupied.
Cheers to you from surprising Bratislava~
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Lokse, latkes, hmmmm they sound similar? Cindy, I am curious about the mood in Europe these days, Are people reacting like portrayed in the mainstream media or have things returned back to “normal”? Loving your pictures as always.
Hugs to you across the ocean, Linda
Bratislava seemed a world apart. I asked people if they were concerned about terrorism and they said , “no,” not for Slovakia, which they felt was too small, not a world player, and too off the beaten track to be a target. It did feel like a protected other worldly place.
Happy to hear that Cindy. Enjoy your adventures and keep sharing your delightful moments with us back home.
Thank you Linda and be well my friend. Thinking of you and your license issues and hoping all is well. <3
There’s a lot to love in these! And I would likely be very partial to the food ! 🙂
It’s good I didn’t stay long. Those langos and loskes spoke to me, and if I kept eating them, I would be a sorry sight! 😉
😉 I completely understand Cindy.
<3
I’d go crazy at the market. Beautiful stuff, Cindy. It reminds the markets in Munich. 🙂 Are you there for Christmas.
Delicious deep fried potato flat bread!
We are home now, but we hit the Christmas Markets in Vienna (WOW!) Wurzburg, Bratslava and Budapest which I will post next. My oh my, were they wonderful! They imbued me with more Christmas spirit than I can remember in a long time!
Can’t wait… Vienna! I loved those Christmas shops in Rothenburg!
Rothenburg is so gorgeous!
Cindy ,these are lovely photos and the food is out of this world. Next time take an empty suitcase to fill it up with food , for you, your family and friends. 🙂
YES!!! How I wish I did that! You think like I do! <3
Looks lovely. Of course, anything you eat doesn’t need to fit in your suitcase! 😀
Exactly my thought, except my stupid stomach couldn’t hold as much as I would have liked to eat! 😉
Ha ha. Well, I’m sure you did your best, Cindy 🙂
I definitely did my very best! 😉 🙂
It really is a lovely old town square…you’ve captured the holiday magic so well!!
It just had oodles of charm, and the food, these people know how to cook, and eat!
I visited in the summer..a different atmosphere..but walked for hours and ate too much 🙂
Sounds like a perfect time in Europe! The walking thankfully gets rid of the calories!
Love the spiced, cooked wines and those markets, Cindy – such a colourful and welcoming feel 😀
I really wish I could beam places! I would beam to Alsace for cookies, and to Bratislava for the langos, and anywhere in Germany for Schnitzel. It’s a bummer to have to fly to eat this incredible food. Beam me over Scotty, right now, please! 😉 😉
:star: What a picturesque place, & what a perfect holiday season post! :star:
The hot spiced wine really hit the spot on a cold day outside. I got warm and kinda snockered at the same time! 😉
THANK YOU!
Amything for you Resa~ <3
Hungry, hungry, hungry :bear:
I would suggerst beaming to either Hungary or Slovakia for the hot wine and the hot langos and lokse’s. I’ll beam over and meet you, and then we can go to Alsace for cookies…..See this is what happens to me when I am home! 😉
Oh you temptress. 😀
Ryan air from London for a song, in time for the Christmas Market! Apparently lots of Brits are taking advantage of the cheap fares and doing just this, which is why lots of signs are in English.
That sounds quite tempting too 😀
Was just looking at your coaches, they were gorgeous!
thank you, it looks amazing, no wonder you want to go back
Yep. Good food is a powerful incentive to me! 😉
unfortunately me too
<3
YUM Yum yum. Wish I were there. Garlic potato pancakes? Almost erotic.
Definitely! Imagine it with schnitzel. Oh to be able to just beam over for a meal…….
What fun! And the food takes me back to when I lived in Prague!
Prague is my favorite city in Europe. It is the most magical fairyland city. So gorgeous!
Thank you again for your photographs, excellent in content, composition, and technical skill. The goods from the Christmas Market are so enticing that I have pre-ordered them through Amazon and await, hoping I live long enough, for drone delivery once Jeff Bezos gets through the trifling bureaucratic difficulties.
A question, what is a Maine lobster, an insect of the sea, doing screwed to a sign for a Farmaceuticke Muzeum in Slovakia?
Cracking up! You are hilarious……. There were more of those sea bugs in Slovakia signs. I took photos of them of course even though I have no understanding of them. Now I feel compelled to google.
When I read, ” I have pre-ordered them through Amazon and await…..”
My heart lifted! I am a tried and true Amazon frequent flier. Could it be? I can order Slovakian langos and lokses from Amazon?
But then my heart fell as I read the rest of your comment, ” hoping I live long enough, for drone delivery once Jeff Bezos gets through the trifling bureaucratic difficulties.”
How long do you think it will take for him to start the drone delivery service? I could wait a month……6 weeks max. I think it’s doable.
Vielen danke! Double vielen danke!!
Unfortunately, your wait for drone delivery will be longer than the life span of the oldest lobster.
By the way, they are delicious but require some easily developed skill in breaking up and eating. They have become popular in China, so that has helped the lobstermen. For me, they are best as fresh as possible and steamed while alive. Melt butter with a bit of juice of a fresh lemon for dipping and wear a lobster bib to protect your clothing.
This may sound cruel (it is), but remember, lobsters are cannibals and cruel, too. I was told by an outstanding expert on the subject that lobsters are best microwaved with seaweed and a bit of seaweed while alive (both you and the lobster). If the lobster claws are kept closed with wooden pegs, you are lucky, but if rubber bands are used, be very careful in removing them! Lobster claws are to be avoided! Quickly wrap your supper tightly with some seaweed in Satan Wrap and place in microwave. Further instructions will be needed and perhaps are available from one Roger Berkowitz of Legal Seafoods. Bon chance et bon appetit!
I googled and so I now know. It is the European Red Crayfish. Why the European Red Crayfish is on the Pharmacy Museum signage I do not know. Maybe they made meds out of crayfish? Maybe the reason the crayfish is on other signage is because it looks good (which it does) and tastes good (which I wouldn’t know!)
So yummy!! What great memories and tantalizing sights and smells Cindy 😋
The Christmas Markets of Europe got me soooo in the Christmas spirit. I got the most humumgous Christmas tree you have ever seen when I got home. My son egged me on. It’s huge! Laughing….
Enjoy!!! 🎄
Reblogged this on necltr and commented:
Sit back and enjoy the scenery while someone else has to pack luggage, go through airport security screening, try to recover luggage… und so weiter.
Take three flights home, for a total of 22 hours in the air, argue with the airline, eat airline food ( Gott im Himmel), catch a cold, and then have jet lag for two weeks! The less joyful aspects of travel….
Vielen danke! Double vielen danke!!
PS- I googled and solved the mystery of the sea bugs (see above!)
How charming!
Yes, Europe has the definite edge on charm!
Agreed!! Besides us of course. 😉
that goes without saying…. 😉 😉
Beam me there too!
Cindy, have you ever visited Leavenworth, in Washington state? You’d live it.
Love it.
I love Washington state. We are talking about going back to Olympic National Park. I love the berrie pies of course!!! 😉 Does Leavenworth have a Christmas Market? I have heard about the one in Bethelem PA, but have never seen it.
Yes. Lovely little shops and great restaurants in a Bavarian themed village nestled against the mountains. You feel like your in the Alps in a Swiss village. It’s north off highway 2.
Oooooh, I want to go, they’ll have schnitzel…….
You must go. You will love it. There’s a German restaurant called Cafe Mozarts that is fabulous! If you go now you’ll enjoy all the holiday lights.
Added to my list! Thank you~
This makes me hungry…but you could fry almost anything in deep fat and I would probably like it….what ‘s in those little jars all lined up i a row? Pickled things? This is wonderful, Cindy; very “old world” and Christmasy!
Yes home “pickled things” like the Europeans do so well. They taste soooo good. I think it’s because they pack them picked fresh and ripe from their gardens and know how to make the pickling spices perfectly. I have never had this much Christmas spirit since the kids were little. Europe has these Christmas Markets for a month starting with Advent. Whole families, whole cities, think Vienna, come out nightly to eat, browse, talk, visit, look at the lights and watch the children. It is just so lovely. I am very glad I saw it in serveral countries.
Beautiful photos. Now I must add this to my bucket list.
Oh good! Bucket Lists are excellent for your psyche and spirit!
Thanks for showing me a part of the world I know very little about, Cindy. The Christmas markets look amazing with all the food and treasures. Love the looks of the hanging dried fruits and soaps. And all the food!
And I didn’t even show you all the booths and all the FOOD! You could spend days eating at, and exploring these incredible markets!
it would never have been on my mind to visit there.. however you pictures have changed that… spuds and garlic… yum
Yep, spuds and garlic, fried, about says it all! <3
Wonderful experiences as you got in Europe Cindy 😀
It looks so cozy.
That is a perfect word for it, cozy! <3
Some of the food looks so yummy!
Yep. That describes it perfectily! 😉
Wow, way to tempt those of us who’ve never even heard of this area into wanting to go there too! I just love homemade goodies. I’ve never been big on shopping but I’m sure that my wallet would be empty (and my stomach full) in no time if I were there! Such incredible creativity and yummy stuff. 🙂 ~Lynn
I don’t like shopping either Lynn. These outdoor markets are run by the people who actually make the stuff they are selling, whether it be food or arts and crafts. The whole town joins in. The trees are decorated with lights and ornaments. There are skating rinks and little trains for children. Town folk are at the markets everyday, eating, talking, and browsing. It is really a cultural phenomona so foreign to me and so unbelieveably charming. Nothing at all like our mass-mediated Christmas. You wouldn’t spend much money since everything is so inexpensive, but you would eat, something from the homemade cookies, to the chocolate, to all the different homemade breads, to the incredible pickled fruit and vegetables, something would capture you and you would love it, as I did. <3
Thanks for filling in all the details about this cultural phenomenon Cindy! How wonderful, and this is ideally how the holidays would be celebrated – not commercialized as we experience here. Someday I’ll have to spend the holidays over there! <3
I think you might not come back! <3 <3
Christmas in our countries has been completely ruined, to my great regret!
So sad. I was bowled over by the cultural continuity and charm of these small town European Christmas Markets. It’s how Christimas was meant to be. Truly lovely.
What gorgeous colours and interesting oddities! Such an interesting place. Thanks for sharing another place I’ve never been to. 🙂
I was surprised and entranced by Bratislava. So happy your interest was caught as well!
Those pictures made me hungry for those things, Cindy. I can see why you’d like to go back. Lovely. 🙂 — Suzanne
Yes, the photos make me wish I could beam over for a meal! 🙂
Enjoy and share more such beautiful pictures with us…. 🙂
Awwww, kind people like you make me want to do just that! <3
Oh yum at those potato pancakes and what a wonderful place.
Yes, it was special and I am glad I saw it during Advent!
That hot spiced wine on a cold day… Mmmmmm! And all that food you eat. There is no worry about stuffing it into your suitcase. (grin) Now stuffing yourself into your pants might be a different issue. 🙂 –Curt
Exactly! I shared with Jim though so we didn’t break the scales! Somehow in Europe I never gain weight. I think it may be because we walk so much and because the food is unprocessed.
That’s similar to our recent experience in Mexico… walking several miles per day makes a huge difference! –Curt
Wow, I never would have guessed. Looks divine!
And the prices were wonderful which made it more fun!
It looks fascinating Cindy, wish I was there.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
Me too! <3
Your impressions about Bratislava and its Christmas market are just great and they make me want to go there again. The ice-rink seems to be near the Hotel Radison and we have also been to the opera to see Macbeth. Best regards Martina
Yes the Radisson was on the other side. The opera house was gorgeous. It must have been glorious. I have tickets to see the movie MacBeth. I can’t wait to see how Cotilliard plays Lady MacBeth!
I hope you want be disappointed by the film, because I’ve read that Marion Cotillard never worked less well and that Shakespeare’s words have been shortened a lot. It would be very kind of you if you sent me your opinion! Enjoy yourself:)
I just saw it. Fassbinder was brilliant. Yes it was shortened, but I still thought it was remarkable. Stirred up quite a bit of emotion which MacBeth should do. Cottiliard is such a talented person. She was a very different, and very moving Lady MacBeth. I thought the witches were sparingly and effectively done, although I did miss some of their iconic dialogue. Banquos ghost was approrpriately haunting. The cinematography was the piece de la resistance! Simply stunning, dark, brooding, but oh so beautiful. I loved the whole bit. My son went with me an was less impressed than I was though.
Isn’t it freezing there at this time of year.. Kinda near the Alps
It was chilly but not freezing. We left at the end of November. The ice rink was just starting to freeze up over night, but thawed a bit during the day.
Do you know the exact name of these spice hangars. I`d like to google how to make them, so I can make them next year.
You are exactly like me. I did this. By google image searching, I found wreaths, that were similar, but not exactly the same. I will search further and let you know what I find…..
In German, I found Gewürzkugeln (http://landhausstil.blogspot.de/2014/10/weihnachtsdeko-selbstgemacht-duftende.html ) and Gewürzbäume ( http://www.basteln-gestalten.de/gewuerzbaum=, but that is quite different and not so good-looking. (But I guess, much easier to make.)
Oh thank you! I searched the internet and really couldn’t find anything as close as what you did. They are basically the same, we could just add more fruit and spice and achieve close to the same effect. I know they dried all their own fruit and the scent was magnificent. Thank you for this good find!
Thanks, but I think, these spice hangars from the market are much nicer, Only the sent would be the same.
They were special and I cannot find out more about them online.
What a delightful post. Full of colour and smells!
The smells of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, fried potato pancakes and mulled wine. Impossible to improve upon on a cold winter day!
It looks such fun, Cindy. My chap’s daughter-in-law is from Bratislava but now living in Connecticut – I’ve posted it on her FB timeline!
How wonderful! I hope she likes it. Wondering if she goes back to visit. Slovakia has undergone major changes in the last 60 or so years.
She goes back regularly!
Would love to hear her impressions.
Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: and commented:
All too heavenly! Want to know how to make garlic fried potato flatbread, And thinking of all those spices and what to use them for… Would love to visit.
It is really quite eye opening, both in terms of charm, history, architecture, food and the people. Winning in every category. I hope you do visit and post about your impressions~
Charming, heartwarming. My grandmother’s home town. Thanks for sharing. I understand why she was so food focused ! And the colors and fragrances…a treat for all the senses. ❤️
Oh how wonderful to have a grandmother to place in this lovely town. The history here is remarkable and tumultuous. And, yes, your grandmother was food focused for a reason. The Slovak people know how to cook, well!
☺
You certainly got my attention this morning with the words “potato” and “fried”. They look insanely delicious. What kind of museum is that with a lobster on the sign? I hope WordPress figures out how to do smell-a-vision posts soon.
I want smell a vision too!! And yep, potato and fried, floats my boat all the way upstream! The museum is a pharmacy museum. They had these crawfish signs all around. I think they like to eat them~
It would be interesting to know the relationship between the pharmacy history and their love of crawfish.
The pharmacy dates from the 16th century and was named The Read Crayfish Pharmacy, hence the sign. The history is incredible and terribly sad.
“Michalská Street No. 26 is a baroque burgher’s house built within the barbican of the Michael’s Gate adjacent to the Bratislava Water Moat. In the mid-18th century the front façade of the house was re-constructed in the Classicist style and extended with a stone entrance in the Rococo style. The front façade is adorned with an original cast-iron pharmacy sign with forged canthus ornamentation and a crayfish from the end of the 19th century, manufactured by the known Bratislava blacksmith company Márton. The pharmacy and the apartment above the pharmacy were owned by the Feldesh family, a Jewish family that was deported by the Nazies during the Holocaust to Auschwitz death camp. The decedents of the family leaves today in Israel.”
Source: Wikipedia
I spent five days in Slovakia a few years ago and gained over half a stone in weight despite climbing up and down mountains. The food was wonderful.
I can relate. I bet you don’t regret a stone of it! The food really is special~
This does look wonderful.
It was a delightful surprise~
I can see why you’d want to return!
Lots left to do, see and eat there! 🙂
Looking at your photos reminds me how lucky we are to see in colour, not black and white!
A black and white world would be depressing! Thank you for such a thoughtful comment~
I do not blame you!
<3 <3
I love these pictures so much! I feel I am there in many ways. I can smell those hangers and yumm I would love some of the fruit ones and the good smelling ones. The little gift shop looks so cute! I love this post thanks so much!! What a special market!
Awwwww, what a pleasure to share with a person who likes the same things I do! Thank you & cheers too~
So lovely cheers!
<3
Very impressive – very well captured… 🙂
Awwww, thank you! Beautiful places are easier to photograph!
I’ll be packed in “5” and ready to go to this delightful looking place…have a losko, lango and mulled wine waiting for me please 🙂 Great photos Cindy 🙂
And then we can approach the homemade candy……I’m waiting with bells on!
🙂
Oh, please beam me back with you! 🙂
Let’s go, we can beam together to all the Christimas Markets! <3
Gotta love that armored pig!
Poor piggy needs some armor!