Get travel inspo in your inbox every week from storytellers Marilee and Paul. Discover wonderful places, delightful hotels, and meaningful travel experiences in the USA, Europe, and beyond – currently, GREECE. 100% original content by Paul, the photographer, and Marilee, the writer behind Spotlight Sojourns.
✨A European Christmas in St. Paul
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This festive season, Paul and I chose to explore European-inspired Christmas Markets at home rather than our usual travel abroad. The holiday discoveries continue this week in Saint Paul, the Minnesota state capital. You’ll find the Saint Paul European Christmas Market at the intersection of 19th-century industrialization, 20th-century transportation, and 21st-century restoration. Union Depot is the 1923 landmark railway station, one of the last grand railway stations and part of the Lowertown Historic District, a landmark commercial neighborhood. In 2012, following restoration and renovation, Union Depot re-opened as a major transportation hub for passenger trains, Metro light rail, national and inter-city buses. And also, as a special events venue. Four years later, the European Christmas Market made its debut at the Depot. Until the Minneapolis Christkindl Market opened in 2024, St. Paul hosted the Twin Cities’ only traditional Christmas Market. Paul and I enjoyed the St. Paul Christmas Market overall. It’s much larger and offers a different vibe than the Minneapolis Christkindl Market across the Mississippi River. Yet both share similar traditions of an admission-free, family-friendly event focused on holiday spirit and community goodwill. Reader, here’s to finding old-fashioned charms, simple joys, and meaningful moments this holiday season. Until next time, Travel on, sparkle on, meaningfully✨ Marilee + Paul Kostadimas PS: Since the Metro Green Line conveniently connects both St. Paul and Minneapolis, you can visit both markets over a weekend. Both markets are still open until December 21st, 2025, and are already planning their 2026 programs. Do let us know if you go! PPS: Do you know friends or family who’d like a little inspo in their box? Please forward this email. They can subscribe by clicking the button below:
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Slow travel with the Hidden Gemologists
Get travel inspo in your inbox every week from storytellers Marilee and Paul. Discover wonderful places, delightful hotels, and meaningful travel experiences in the USA, Europe, and beyond – currently, GREECE. 100% original content by Paul, the photographer, and Marilee, the writer behind Spotlight Sojourns.
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