My personal favorite Christmas Market is in the bohemian district of Spittelberg, a maze of tiny cobbled streets where the buildings have been restored to their original eighteenth and nineteenth century baroque style. This is a left wing district and center of arts and crafts; and in December it is teaming with people huddled round the Punch stands.

It seemed like the start of a perfect day as she ate her breakfast at the little wooden table in the corner of her garden. The sky was clear and blue with just a faint haze as the last of the morning due evaporated into the air that was sweet with the smell of flowers. The sun was bright and the early morning rays made everything in the garden glow with a vivid and invigorating freshness. Birds sang and insects buzzed; the world seemed full of optimism and promise.