HIGHLIGHTS: Charming Christmas Markets and town tours throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Northern Italy and Eastern Europe, Christmas traditions of the various regions, the Buttnmandl and Krampus traditions in Berchtesgaden and Austria, Christmas ornament museums, Christmas ornament manufacture tours, special Advent concerts, Klausjagen in Kussnacht, Christmas smokers, nutcrackers and pyramids in the East German Erzgebirge, Advent culinary specialties.
Based on medieval tradition, the frightening straw-men "Buttnmandl" appear during Advent
St Nicholas, his helper and the straw-men Buttnmandl in Berchtesgaden
Szopka: Nativity scene in Cracow