It’s the time of year when our thoughts turn to Christmas once again. From the presents we need to buy to the friends and family we want to invite round on Christmas Day, there is always a lot to plan. Take a break from the stress of the season by booking a trip to some of Europe’s famous Christmas markets this year. Breathe in the scent of mulled wine as it wafts through the air, warm up with some hot food and stroll past sparkling stalls adorned with fairy lights. We’ve put together some of our favourite Christmas market holidays, so have a browse through our winter warmers for further information…
Rhineland festive Christmas markets
Germany’s magical cities provide a beautiful backdrop to some traditional Christmas markets. Depart on a cruise from Southampton and you can make your way through Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz to truly soak in what Christmas means in Rhineland, a region that borders the banks of the Rhine.
Sample local delicacies beneath a magnificent twinkling Christmas tree and make your way around quaint wooden stalls in Cologne, take a romantic horse and carriage ride across the Old Quarter of Koblenz, and admire Bonn’s unusual advent calendar. Visitors to these German cities can also pick up arts and crafts, enjoy local music and sip on delicious, hot mulled wine at the events.
Continental Christmas markets
If you fancy a bit more variety, this continental selection journeys from the United Kingdom to Germany, Holland and Belgium. Get in the festive spirit at Bremerhaven and pick up some Christmas decorations for your tree, or go skating in Bruges before meandering through the wooden chalets that border the ice rink. Excursions from Ijmuiden to Amsterdam allow travellers to stroll beside illuminated canals to a number of neighbourhood markets selling everything from food and drink to toys and clothes.
Spend Christmas abroad
If you really want to experience Christmas abroad, go one step further and spend Christmas Day overseas. Fly to Berlin a few days ahead of time to explore Charlottenburg market, which sits in front of the beautiful palace. Classic rides will take you back to days gone by, while the big wheel is perfect for views of the city. Gingerbread, stollen and marzipan provide tasty snacks, and the festive atmosphere is quintessentially German.
On Christmas Eve, this tour takes travellers to see Checkpoint Charlie and Bellevue Palace, which is set in the Tiergarten area of the city. The palace dates back to the 18th century and is now the official residence of the Federal President. Christmas Day is a time for dining in style at the hotel with a traditional turkey dinner, and on Boxing Day visitors can spend a leisurely day in Postdam.
Whether you are planning in November for December 2015, or you are already thinking about Christmas 2016, a trip to Christmas markets around the world is the perfect way to get into the spirit of the season. You can pick up unique gifts for friends and family, as well as sampling some of the best local produce around.
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