One of these will get you into the Christmas spirit – 10 European Christmas Market deals. There’s a choice of fantastic offers to whisk you off to a magical winter wonderland by air, rail or sea. YourHols has chosen 10 of the best deals around right now… but keep your eye out, there’s bound to be more to come before Santa prepares his sacks.
Budapest
Explore Hungary’s vibrant capital city and enjoy the many historical sights and attractions. The enchanting Budapest Christmas Fair in Vörösmarty Square feature more than 100 wooden stalls selling a unique array of arts and crafts which reflect Budapest’s rich and dynamic cultural heritage. You can also enjoy delicacies such as mulled wine, sweet Hungarian pastries, roasted chestnuts and other market snacks.
Fred.\ offers two nights B&B at the three-star Best Western Hotel Orion, with flights from London until December 30 from £269 per person.
Berlin
Berlin’s Christmas markets are world-renowned, with thousands flocking to the city every year to taste the best Glühwein and Bratwürst while exploring the stalls throughout the city. Potsdamer Platz comes alive in the winter with a ‘Winter World’ that features a huge ice rink and the world’s longest toboggan run.
Cheapflights.co.uk offers four nights B&B at the Berlin Mark Hotel, from Stansted on various departures in November and December £169 per person. See Cheapflights
Verona
Piazza Dei Signori in Verona is the home to the well-known Mercatino di Natale Christmas Market, a special annual event in this beautiful Italian city. Twinned with Nuremburg, it is no surprise that Verona’s Christmas market has a typically Germanic influence. At this time of year, the city is illuminated by hundreds of lights, creating a magical and romantic atmosphere. Make sure you try the Bavarian food and beer along with local Veronese specialities.
Thomas Cook Cities offers two nights B&B at the three-star Hotel Armando, flying with BA from Gatwick on November 27 from £197 per person. See Thomas Cook
Bruges
Enjoy a little luxury on the Queen Mary 2 for three nights and visit the Christmas market in the medieval city of Bruges. Little wooden chalets create a magical atmosphere with stalls selling traditional Belgian arts and crafts. There are also street entertainers and fairground attractions.
Cunard offers three nights departing Southampton on December 12 from £699 including $90 on board spending money per person. See Cunard
Ludwigsburg
Each year, this charming medieval town lays on a unique Christmas market experience where ‘King Friedrich the First’ parades through the market in his robe every Saturday. The narrow winding streets, historic squares and the smell of traditional German Lebkuchen (gingerbread) makes this a unique Christmas Market experience.
Fred.\ offers two nights B&B at the three-star Best Western Hotel Favorit with flights from London to Stuttgart from £329 per person between November 25 and December 23.
Lake Garda and Trentino
Enjoy the festivities of the Trentino region from the lakeside town of Riva del Garda, and visit the pretty Christmas markets of Trento, Merano and Bolzano.
Shearings offers six nights half-board as well as two excursions and reurn coach travel from the UK, departing November 30 from £449 per person. See Shearings
Amsterdam
Brighten up your winter with a visit to the Amsterdam Christmas Markets. With stalls selling festive decorations and heart-warming local cuisine, plus an outdoor ice rink, there’s something for the whole family.
Superbreak offers a P&O mini-cruise from Hull and two nights at the three-star Hampshire Hotel Lancaster Amsterdam, from December 12, from £121 per person. See Superbreak
Tallinn
Enjoy festive treats at the Tallinn Traditional Old Town Christmas Market. The Estonian city is also home to Europe’s first Christmas tree which dates back to 1441. You’ll find handicraft specialists and their work, Estonian food and drink of the season, snow sculptures and a mini-zoo for the little ones including rabbits, goats, lambs, ponies and geese.
Traveljunction.com has rooms at Merchants House Hotel from £67 per person per night. Ryanair offers one-way flights from £38.99.
Dresden
One of the many highlights of Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid which watches over the square. Visitors can taste the ‘Striezel’, the culinary tradition of the Dresden Christollen which this Christmas market is named after.
In addition to the unusual delicacies offered every year, the public bathhouse also proves popular. Why not purchase a handmade, historical craft at Neumarkt? The market is also established within the impressive walls of the Dresden Royal Palace during the Stallhof Advent Festival.
Hilton Hotels offers rooms from £182 for two people per night. See Hilton Hotels
Cityjet offers return flights from London City to Dresden from £128. See Cityjet
Zurich
A novel answer to festivity on the go, one of Switzerland’s most famous Christmas markets is held in Zurich’s main train station. But it’s not just travellers and commuters that add to the bustling atmosphere – with around 150 market stalls, the Zurcher Christkindlimarkt is one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe. At almost 50ft high, the clear focal point of the market is the beautifully ornate Christmas tree, decorated with around 6,000 crystal ornaments, dazzling thousands of visitors every year.
Trivago.co.uk is showing Hotels in Zurich from £65 a night. See Trivago
easyJet offers flights from Luton from £35.99. See easyJet
