Trier, Germany

Four and a half hours after we drove off the Eurotunnel at Calais, we arrived in the car park of the Park Plaza Hotel in the ancient German city of Trier. We were there for a three night break, the week before Christmas.

Our hotel was really well placed for us to reach all the main areas on foot and there was plenty to see during our stay. The city was originally founded by the Romans in 17BC and they left plenty of evidence of their stay! From the Porta Nigra (Black Gate) which was originally one of four gates into the city, to the Amphitheatre and the Roman Baths.

For a small entrance fee, we went inside Porta Nigra and the Amphitheatre and to help us understand what we were viewing we were given a small pamphlet in English. We followed the ‘Tourist Route’, a walking tour around the centre of the city which takes in many of the old and famous buildings and also visited the City Museum which charts the history of Trier.

The traditional Christmas market was laid out in the main Market Square and Cathedral Square which is close by. Full of the German Christmas favourites, we enjoyed the traditional Gluwein, Wurst and Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes – my favourite!)

The Moselle River forms one of Trier’s city limits and even on an overcast December day we enjoyed a brisk walk along its banks.

I can’t think of a better place to start the Christmas festivities, but it would be a stunning city to visit in the summer as well!