On Sunday 4 December at 6am a cohort of 41 intrepid Germanists embarked on their Christmas market experience. After a long coach journey we arrived in the beautiful medieval town of Monschau. The youth hostel where we stayed was in the old castle, dating back to 1096 and overlooking the beautiful town with its timber frame houses and atmospheric Christmas market.

After an early dinner we ventured down the cobbled path leading to the old city centre and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. On our return to the youth hostel we met in the common room in order to celebrate a typical German ‘Nikolausfeier’, with cookies, carols and a surprise guest: the real ‘St Nikolaus’ with his golden book.

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