Erfurt

It's over four hours from Krakow to Zgorzelec, a town just shy of the border with Germany. Our accommodation for the night is a hotel at a motorway service station, so we're not expecting much, but are excited at the prospect of the KFC which shares the building. Much to our disappointment however, it has closed at 6pm, so we're left with the mediocre fare of the hotel cafeteria.

The following morning we leave Poland behind us, and make our way westwards to Erfurt, a city right in the middle of Germany. It has a strong medieval background, and is known for the Kramerbrucke (Merchants Bridge), which is a shopping street built on a bridge, as well as the cathedral and citadel.

Despite being a wartime bombing target, the city suffered limited damage and retains a lot of impressive architecture from various time periods.

Erfurt is also host to one of the larger and most-renowned Christmas markets in Germany, utilising most of the space available in the town's large square. The cathedral and St Severi church on the adjacent hill provide an imposing backdrop.

It's an enjoyable market, and delivers the best souvenir mugs so far, which take the shape of Puffbohnen (broad beans)!

With the legs weary, we retire to a nice gastropub away from the hustle and bustle, before returning to the hotel. Another long drive tomorrow, which will take us to Essen in the far west of the country.