Suitcases & Coffee | Senior Travel Tips for Europe

Last Christmas, our plans to return to Germany for the Christmas markets did not work out. Instead of jet lag and cobblestone streets, we packed the car and headed to Fredericksburg, Texas. It was not quite Heidelberg, but this little Hill Country town had a charm all its own.

We rented a short-term home that was decorated from top to bottom for Christmas. Twinkling lights, garlands, and cozy touches made it feel festive the moment we walked in. It gave us the sense of being "away" while still being in the comfort of home.

Downtown Fredericksburg was easy to explore on foot. The Marktplatz featured a large Christmas tree, a nativity scene, and a 26-foot wooden German Christmas pyramids, or a Weihnachtspyramide, out of the Erzgebirge region. It was the most authentic nod to Germany I could have hoped for.

A few German restaurants served schnitzel and sausages, offering a taste of the markets we missed overseas. But instead of rows of wooden stalls filled with ornaments and mulled wine, Fredericksburg offered a different kind of holiday ritual. Main Street was lined with local vineyard tasting rooms, each one welcoming visitors with Texas hospitality. Hopping from one to the next became its own kind of tradition.

Driving instead of flying was a gift in itself. No baggage limits, no long lines, and no time zone changes—just a leisurely road trip. Yet as I sipped wine in Texas, I could not help but remember steaming mugs of glühwein, ringing church bells, and centuries-old squares glowing with market lights.

Fredericksburg gave us a cozy and festive Christmas close to home. It was not Germany, but it was a reminder that holiday magic can be found in unexpected places.

💡 Travel Tip from Mom’s Purse
If you cannot fly across the ocean, pack a little Europe into your purse. A tin of spiced cookies or your favorite market mug makes even Texas feel a bit more German.