Fancy a festive treat? Find Europe’s best Christmas markets
Europe’s Christmas markets are calling: and this year they’re set to be bigger and better than ever.
Berlin’s main market will have a snowy ski slope between the stalls so you can take a toboggan ride before warming up with a hot chocolate (or something stronger).
In Austria the festive markets of Salzburg, Innsbruck and Vienna promise record numbers of stalls selling treats like gingerbread, gluhwein and hand-crafted Christmas gifts.
Salzburg, Austria. Christmas Market in the old town.
Alpine-style markets with classic wooden chalets, fairy-lights, Christmas trees, ice rinks and atmosphere galore fill historic squares across Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Poland and Hungary. And in Italy you can enjoy a real white Christmas with markets amid the snow-covered Dolomites.
Better still, Europe’s Christmas markets are surprisingly easy to reach and there’s still time to book a trip.
SNOWY VIEWS
In November and December you can join a dozen Christmas market holidays with Shearings. Pick Ostend & Belgian Markets if you don’t want to travel too far. Or Vienna & the Steam Train to Christmas break for special memories on a historic train ride. Or the magical Italian Dolomites trip for those snowy views.
As with every Shearings coach-based holiday, trips start at joining points across the UK (Home Connect takes you from your front door). Hotels, porterage, breakfasts, some evening meals and lunches are included, from £449pp for five-day trips.
SAIL AWAY
If you fancy sailing from one market to another, there’s Traditional Christmas Markets on the Rhine from Titan Travel. After crossing the Channel and being driven to Cologne you board the MS Serenade river ship, then sail to Koblenz, its half-timbered buildings glorious amid the Christmas lights.
Then cruise to Mainz and Rudesheim, both full of stalls, steeped in history and pretty as Christmas cards. The leisurely five-day trip includes 11 meals, lots of onboard entertainment and costs from £799pp.
A sleek Eurostar train from London starts Christmas Markets of the Rhine with Great Rail Journeys. You’ll have a UK tour manager at your side throughout and spend four nights onboard the beautifully decorated MS Amadeus Imperial or Silver II.
There’s carol-singing and a gala Christmas dinner on board, plus a Christmas-themed afternoon tea with mince pies, gingerbread and mulled wine. And, of course, there are daily visits to some of Germany’s most picturesque festive markets. Enjoy the five-day festive break from £1,195pp.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk