Continental Christmas: European Markets

Every year, cities in Europe come alive with festive cheer as the annual Christmas markets roll into the main squares, with wooden shacks selling everything from handmade gifts to delicious foodstuffs such as freshly cooked crepes, German sausages and plenty of warming mulled wine on offer.

There are many cities in Europe playing host to these markets, transforming city centres into twinkling, musical marketplaces, where the air is thick with the scents of sizzling sausages, cinnamon and spices, and of course the warming aroma of mulled wine. Wooden stalls line the streets, bringing with them the chance to buy handmade crafts, little wooden trinkets and sweet treats such as gingerbread and cinnamon-roasted nuts.

If you’re looking at heading away for a festive weekend break to take in some Christmas shopping and explore some of Europe’s most historical cities during a time in which Advent is celebrated in style, here are a few destinations for you to keep in mind:

Nuremburg (GER) – 26^th November to 24^th December 2010

Flight time from UK*: approx 1hr 35mins

Each year, the walled city of Nuremburg hosts the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe each year, welcoming over two million visitors a year to the city centre. With a variety of stalls, whose decoration gives the market its handle of ‘Little Town from Wood and Cloth’. And with over 180 stalls selling everything from trinkets to delicious sweet treats, it can be a great place to explore and get in a bit of shopping for the festive season.

During a visit to Nuremberg it’s also worth paying a visit to the city’s Old Town quarter, including the ancient castle in the north of the city, guided tours are available for a small fee and you can look out over the city and its festive light show from one of the towers.

Dresden (GER) – 26^th November – 24^th December 2010

Flight time from UK*: approx 1hr 50mins

Dresden is home to the Striezelmarkt, the oldest Christmas market in Germany, and each year the city comes alive with festive cheer. Home to the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid – a decorative centrepiece at the heart of the marketplace – as well as the worlds’ largest nutcracker.

Dresden is perhaps best known for the traditional ‘Christstollen’, a spiced fruit bread that helps give the market its’ name. Each year a giant stollen loaf is made and presented at the market, as well as plenty of mulled wine and spiced fruit punch to wash it down with.

Dresden also has a number of tourist sites, including the Zwinger Palace, the majestic Semperoper opera house and the reconstructed church at Frauenkirche, as well as a number of museums including the Green Vault and its’ collection of jewels and diamonds.

Strasbourg (FRA) – 27^th November to 31^st December 2010

Flight time from UK*: approx 4hr 30mins (includes change at Paris CDG)

Strasbourg’s many markets are located around the city’s majestic cathedral and the historic city centre (Grande Ile), with 11 markets to explore during a visit to Strasbourg. The market is split into various sections, including a Sharing Village – which is dedicated to helping raise money for charities – and the Children’s Village, where your little ones can play, make arts and crafts and even get a visit from Father Christmas.

Traditional festive fares and mouth-watering local produce are on show during the time of the market, giving you the chance to drink in the Christmas spirit whilst also sampling the very best of what the Alsace region has to offer.

Whilst visiting the city, be sure to pay a visit to the majestic cathedral and the astronomical clock, one of the city’s main tourist draws.

Salzburg (AUT) – November 18^th to 26^th December

Flight time from UK*: approx 1hr 50mins

Salzburg is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart, as a location for iconic musical The Sound of Music and is a popular winter destination for those looking to get in some skiing during their winter break.

The city’s Christmas market is held at various location around the historic city centre, giving you the chance to peruse the stalls in search of festive gifts whilst taking in the sights of this historic Alpine destination, with a number of cathedrals and castles to explore during a visit to Salzburg there is plenty to keep you occupied during a weekend break in this iconic Austrian city.

Zurich (SUI) – November 18^th to 31^st December

Flight time from UK*: approx 1hr 40mins

Switzerland’s largest city plays host to the annual Christkindlimarkt, with over 160 stalls dotted around the city, from the traditional Old Town district to the more upmarket shopping districts such as the world famous Bahnhofstrasse, which is lined with designer boutiques and quaint little cafes. Neighbouring Augustinergasse offers a number of restaurants and coffee shops dotted amongst Zurich’s iconic architecture.

Zurich is also popular as a destination for ‘night shopping’, where the city streets are lit with twinkling lights, including Bahnhofstrasse and the more moderately priced Old Town region.

At Werdmühleplatz Square you’ll find the ‘Singing Christmas Tree’, where choirs of all ages sing carols, adding to the festive atmosphere of the market, and with plenty of wooden stalls selling trinkets and festive foodstuffs, why not take a short break and experience a Swiss Christmas?

*Results based on direct flights from London airports

This post courtesy of travelsupermarket.com