After breakfast at the hotel this morning, I headed in to Schwerin’s City Centre and walked through the Altstadt (old town) to the Schweriner Schloß.
The Palace/Castle is home to the State Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and it also houses a museum so I went inside for a look around – including visiting rooms in the Residential Palace, and a look at the Porcelain & Silver collection.
It was foggy so the weather rather hampered by efforts to get a decent photo from within the Castle Gardens outside!
I then went to meet the Stadtrundfahrt (round-city-tour) bus, and enjoyed an hour of interesting information as the bus made its way round the circular route of Germany’s smallest State Capital.
After the bus completed its route and finished once more at the castile, it was time for lunch. I walked back to the City Centre where the Christmas Market was in full swing. I went to one of the many hot food stands and had a portion of Currywurst with a bread roll.
My next task for the day was Christmas shopping: A small gift from Germany for Mum, Dad and Corrie. Christmas cards also bought – along with stamps for the ones which are going to destinations in Germany (the ones for the UK will be posted in England).
Both the Schlosspark Shopping Centre and the Christmas Market were packed – it was difficult to find anywhere just to stop and think for a minute. But eventually, I managed to get my shopping done.
With my hands full, I made my way back to my hotel room to sort out the day’s purchases. After a bit of a rest, it started to get dark and I went back to the Christmas Market.
Tonight was a ‘Late Night Shopping’ night meaning both the market and the shops in town would be open late. There was also a programme of live music within the market square – and it is this I went to see. It had been bitterly cold all day and the fog did not lift at all – so regular top-ups of hot chocolate were needed during the hours I spent watching the live music.
Eventually I decided I had got a bit too cold and was in need of some food. I went to the Italian Restaurant “Kristina” just opposite the station, and had a pizza (followed by yet another hot chocolate, in place of a pudding). I walked off by dinner as I headed back to the hotel.
Tomorrow – Sunday – is my last full day in Germany and normally on these weekend visits I do a day trip. I’ve yet to decide if I will or if I won’t – but I am considering going to Rostock, which is the biggest city in the state.
I’m off to bed now.
Gute Nacht.
FH.
