In the Austrian region Hall Wattens, 10 small villages set in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps a few kilometres from the Brenner border, there is a suggestive Advent itinerary, between markets, lights and music, which leads to discover one of the most felt and living traditions of Tyrol.
Starting point to discover the region is Hall in Tirol, one of the most beautiful historical towns in Austria, a jewel that boasts 700 years of history, so much to be present nominated for the World Heritage of Unesco Culture. The small streets of the old town on Christmas are filled with lights: stars, bells and sparkling decorations shine in the streets and squares, while a Advent calendar Bright project the days that are missing on December 25 on the walls of the palaces of the splendid Oberer Stadtplatz. Country of stalls of artisans and farmers of the region They offer many ideas for Christmas gifts, made with natural materials such as wood, wool, straw or terracotta, but also precious and delicate as glass. Following the scent of traditional Tyrolean pancakes you meet a corner dedicated to greasy: Kirchtagskrapfen, gingerbread, brûlé wine, Kiachln with waxes or blueberries, the typical Schnaps or regional cheeses.
One sweet Christmas music resounds in the town, accompanying walks: choirs and bands of wind instruments, of the region, but also of neighboring cities, present every day, from 18, music shows for guests of the city market.
Christmas is the children's favorite holiday and Hall awaits them all Fiabe scale. Here, every day starting from 17, in a suggestive setting that recreates a small forest that leads directly to an enchanted world, fairy tales and stories of the Christmas tradition of Tyrol will be narrated. A small zoo with many animals to caress will make children's days unforgettable at the market, which can also discover with a pony or camel ride through the streets of the center.
The market is open from 21 November to 24 December 2014: Monday to Friday from 15 to 20, Saturday from 10 to 20, Sunday from 13 to 20.
The Advent Tour
All the small towns in the Hall Wattens region have their market, each with its own characteristic and a particular that makes it unique. Once you visit the capital market Hall you can continue Advent Tour to the Christkindlmarkt of Absam, open on 5, 7, 14 and 21 December 2014, from 14.30 to 20. The market offers many typical stalls with local farmers' products, schnaps, apple juice, speck.
There will be dishes with traditional recipes, live music shows from 17 to 18, horse-drawn carriage rides and ride on pony for children. Obligated mat Wattens market, open all weekends of Advent, from 29 November to 21 December 2014, from 15 to 19.30 and 8 December 2014 from 14.30 to 20. A special program awaits the youngest: every day a small mountain of snow awaits them for the games, on Sunday a corner dedicated to fairy tales and on Saturday a very special surprise, a tour of the market on a very unusual medium, the blade!
The Advent Tour also stops at Thaur, with a market held on 29 November 2014; a Gnadenwald on 13 December 2014, from 15 to 20, with stalls, music and children's program; in Mils on 28 November, 5, 12 and 19 December 2014, from 17 to 21.
The 5 December in Tyrol is a very special day: we celebrate San Nicolò. The days before it all children become incredibly obedient. A legend tells that in the night between 5 and 6 December St. Nicholas goes to visit the children. His angels during the year checked who behaved well and San Nicolò descends to reward them. But if someone has been a miller, he will not receive the gifts of St. Nicholas, whose arrival in Austria has lived a bit like that of Santa Claus, but he will have to wait for the visit of Krampus, a distrustful avoletto, with a black fur, rafts and horns, who enjoys frightening the children.
The arrival of San Nicolò is celebrated in all countries of Tyrol. In Absam the event is on December 5th at 17, in Wattens on December 6th, but in a country the party turns into a real event. A Volders you keep Devil market, which has as its protagonist the Krampus. On December 3, starting from 17 the streets of the small town are filled with stalls, with handicraft and food products of the region and the arrival of the Krampus is expected. On December 5, at 17, all children descend into the square to wait for San Nicolò, which followed by 20 angels will bring gifts to all good children...for the least good will come instead the Krampus, with their scary rafts, playing loud bells.
From 21 November to 24 December 2014, the Hall-Wattens Tourist Office offers a special package of 2 overnight stays from 75,00 euro in b&b and 105 euro with half board treatment, per person in double room.
