{"id":7275,"date":"2013-12-18T20:44:32","date_gmt":"2013-12-18T20:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=7275"},"modified":"2013-12-26T20:16:40","modified_gmt":"2013-12-26T20:16:40","slug":"the-fraueninsel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/the-fraueninsel\/","title":{"rendered":"The Fraueninsel…."},"content":{"rendered":"

The Fraueninsel<\/a> is a small thriving island in the middle of <\/span>Lake Chiemsee<\/a>. \u00a0 I imagine it’s beautiful to visit whatever the season, but for just 6 days of the year, it is also the setting of a truly unique Bavarian Christmas Market – reputed to be one of the most romantic and atmospheric too…<\/span><\/p>\n

\"IMG_1609\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At this time of year, the Fraueninsel’s banks (all 300 metres width and 600 metres length of them) are lined with beautifully decorated stalls of the gift, and seasonal food and drink variety. \u00a0 All are interspersed with the small businesses that are permanent features here – the local fish smokeries, and potteries for instance, and the inns and restaurants that provided warmth and sustenance on this, the most bitterly cold of days that we visited (we can highly recommend the particularly good grilled lake trout at the Inselwirt<\/a>\u00a0by the way, a great place with friendly service!)…<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1613\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Our day here started with a boat journey. \u00a0 One that passed magnificent mountains on the way to our destination, and provided plentiful opportunities for ornithological appreciation (many a wild guess was given by the Small People as to what variety of birds we had spotted, but I don’t believe there are flamingoes on the Chiemsee). \u00a0The chance to stave off the cold with a steaming hot mug of gluhwein (of course!) probably contributed to the good cheer of almost everyone on board too!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1619\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I often miss being surrounded by the sea, as we were in Denmark, and many aspects of this island reminded me of life in that part of Scandinavia – especially the lovely quirky wooden clad houses for instance, and all the paraphernalia that comes with having deep water on your doorstep – the countless boats, fishing nets and smokeries for example…<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1633\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(not another Christmas Market?!)…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

There are something like 300 permanent residents here, and apart from the nuns at the Benedictine Convent (who are famed liqueur makers) and the adjacent Saint Michael’s Chapel (well worth the visit, its ancient interior is stunningly intricate… \u00a0For a moment I thought the 6 Year old had discovered a new enthusiasm for historical religious buildings, as having called him (in hushed tones obviously) several times to hurry up, I then had to go and rescue him from some ornate metal lattice work, as it turned out his hood was stuck!), this community is made up mainly of craftsmen, fishermen, and artists. \u00a0 \u00a0And I have to say that I am quite jealous of their little island – what a fantastic place to live. \u00a0Imagine waking up each day to views like that, with not a single morning traffic jam to contemplate over breakfast either – there actually is no traffic on the island!<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1629\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Having wandered the stalls for a couple of hours, and as the density of crowds had begun to build in anticipation of the spectacle that must be Fraueninsel Christmas market at night, we decided to call it a day and headed for the boat to take us back across the water. \u00a0 This post should actually end with us getting the boat successfully, it taking us back across, and us driving home again. \u00a0 Except that this is me, and we got on the wrong boat and had to stand at the quay shivering under the big fat feathery flakes of snow that had begun to fall, only to have to go back across the water and then starting all over again. \u00a0 \u00a0 They do say that every cloud has a silver lining though don’t they? \u00a0 And we wouldn’t have seen this view of the island had that not happened…<\/p>\n

\"IMG_1635\"<\/a><\/p>\n

One to look out for next Christmas for the Christmas Market aficionados amongst you…<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share me:<\/h3>