Nuremberg unfurls like a storybook city on a weekend visit, its medieval sandstone walls and narrow lanes dusted with a romantic chill as you arrive; the Christkindlesmarkt at the Hauptmarkt becomes the heart of the experience, a glittering constellation of wooden stalls selling gingerbread—Lebkuchen—handcrafted toys and warming Glühwein, while the scent of roasted almonds and spicy sausages draws you from one beautifully decorated booth to the next. By day you can wander Nürnberger Burg and the castle’s ramparts for panoramic views over red-tiled roofs, the river Pegnitz and the infamously pretty street Weißgerbergasse. By night the market’s twinkling lights and carols create a convivial atmosphere that feels both ancient and cosy. Local Franconian eateries make the weekend feel both festive and authentically Bavarian without ever rushing the experience. One cannot miss the experience of skinny Nuremberg sausage and the taste of its famous Lebkuchen, which is known as Elisenlebkuchen which contains mostly nuts and mostly flourless.