|
 Experience
the scenic and intimate
origin of St. Nick and
discover traditions many
centuries old.
Smell the pine and
woodstoves over the
crispness of winter
while
exploring the store
windows filled with
Christmas ornaments and
holiday cheer. We
want you to enjoy your
membership and
experience the not so
well known traditions
that make St Johann and
Maria Alm a travel
destination you look
forward to every year.
This package includes
...
-
Stay at a Five Star
Hotel
-
Airfare Included
-
Breakfast/Dinner
Package
-
Biggest Krampus
parade (St Johann)
-
Experience St
Nicks origins
Members: Starting at $900.00
*
Email Lisa for this
great offer !
Non-Members: Starting at
$1400.00
**
* Based on Chicago to
Munich airfare
** Based on double (or
more) occupancy and
Chicago to Munich
airfare
Krampus
St. Nicholas, the
special children's
saint, is
honored throughout
Austria. It is said that
God rewarded Nicholas'
generosity by allowing
him to return to earth
each year to bring gifts
to all
the good children. St.
Nicholas comes on his
feast day, a
special holiday apart
from Christmas. Some
place s
he comes on St. Nicholas
Eve, December 5, and
other places on the day
itself, December 6. St.
Nicholas (or Nicolo
or Niklaus) is
dressed as a
bishop with
flowing robes and a
miter. He
carries a big book and a
bishop's
crozier. During
the year angels, who
sometimes come with him,
write children's good
and bad deeds in this
book.
In
Austria a strange and
frightening creature,
Krampus, is
usually with St.
Nicholas. This devil
figure, often in chains,
is dressed in fur with a
scary mask and a long
red tongue. Krampus
carries a wooden stick
or switches to threaten
children who misbehave
or do not know their
lessons. St. Nicholas
never lets Krampus harm
anyone. In some areas,
though, hooligans
dressed as Krampus do
cause distressing havoc.
When children promise to
be good and study hard,
St. Nicholas rewards
them with a treat. He
may come by himself or
with angel helpers.
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 Austrian
Christkindlmarkts
open before St.
Nicholas Day.
There one finds
delightful St. Nicholas
delicacies—chocolates,
marzipan, decorated
cookies, even bread
shaped like the good
saint. The treats can be
very small, just a
single wrapped chocolate
turned into a hand-made
little Bishop Nicholas.
Spiced
speculatius
cookies are shaped like
the saint and Krampus.
These are decorated with
colored icing, fruit,
and nuts. There are even
prune-people of St.
Nicholas and Krampus.
Children leave shoes for
St. Nicholas on the
windowsill or outside
their bedroom doors. In
the morning they find
the good saint has
filled good children's
shoes with oranges,
apples, nuts, sweets,
and small toys. Of
course, all the children
are good.
In
some towns St. Nicholas
processes from the
church before giving
little presents to all
the children. Saint
Nicholas, and Krampus,
may also visit in homes
to ask children if they
have been naughty or
nice and perhaps to
recite their prayers. Or
the Children may simply
find treats in their
shoes in the morning.
Shopping
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Germany
and
Austria
have
contributed
many
of
the
elements
that
we
consider
a
“natural”
part
of
the
Christmas
celebration.
What
would
Christmas
be
without
“Silent
Night”
(Austria)
or
the
Christmas
tree
(Germany)?
 But
there
are
other
Christmas
items
we
take
for
granted
that
have
their
origins
in
German
Europe.
The
next
time
you
decorate
the
Christmas
tree
(or
take
the
decorations
down!),
take
a
closer
look
at
the
ornaments.
Those
shiny
glass
balls
(Glaskugeln)
and
tinsel
(Lametta)
are
Austrian/German
inventions.
Austria,
a
beautiful
country
in
Central
Europe
carries
the
age
old
tradition
of
Christmas
markets,
offering
a
large
variety
of
gifts,
and
souvenirs
for
your
near
and
dear
ones.
The
fragrance
of
roasted
apples,
freshly
baked
gingerbread
fills
the
festive
air
and
induces
an
enthralling
charm
on
you.
Even
the
historical
documents
refer
to
the
tradition
of
holding
Christmas
markets
as
an
integral
part
of
the
Christmas
celebrations.
Few
of
the
notable
Christmas
shopping
markets
in
Austria
are:
Rathausplatz:
Located
on
the
square,
in
front
of
the
City
Hall
in
Vienna,
is
one
of
the
most
popular
Christmas
markets
with
elaborate
decorations
and
wonderful
presents
on
offer.
We
bet
you
will
be
able
to
locate
the
ideal
Christmas
gifts
for
your
loved
ones.
Schönbrunn
Castle:
The
erstwhile
residence
of
Austrian
Emperors
becomes
the
center
of
much
fanfare
during
Christmas.
The
festive
concerts,
performances
are
the
highlights
of
the
Christmas
market.
Spittelberg:
It
is
one
of
the
most
endearing
Christmas
markets
selling
traditional
handicrafts
freely
on
alleyways,
niches
and
courtyards.
The
other
noteworthy
Christmas
markets
are
at
Innsbruck
and
Salzburg.
At
Innsbruck,
the
Christmas
market
is
set
up
at
the
foot
of
the
Golden
Roof
while
at
Salzburg,
the
market
takes
place
in
front
of
the
Cathedral.
For
pictures
of
the
Krampas
celebration
in
St
Johann
click
the
link
below
and
view
'Fotos'
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