Christmas will soon be upon us. Take the chore out of shopping with a trip to some of Europe’s Christmas markets. With mulled wine, homemade gingerbread, spicy bratwurst, and Christmas presents, it’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit in magical festive surroundings.
– Prague:
From beautiful baroque buildings to Art Nouveau architecture, Prague is one of the most striking of European cities. The main Christmas markets in Prague are held at The Old Town square and Wenceslas Square (5 minutes’ walk from each other) with smaller ones at Republic Square and Havel’s market
You can buy glassware and jewelery, lace, wooden toys, decorations and hats, gloves and scarves from brightly decorated wooden huts. But dont miss the opportunity to sample some delicious local food and drink such as ‘Trdelnik’ a traditional Czech pastry or some hot sausages or ham from a huge spit. Czech beer is famous or you may prefer some warming hot wine
Travelling with children? The Christmas market at Old Town square has an animal stable where children can stroke sheep, goats and donkeys. On most days, local choirs sing carols dressed in traditional costumes and a spectacular giant Christmas tree dominates the scene.
– Munich:
Munich is a city unlike any other in Germany and is the heart of Bavarian ‘Gemutlichkeit’ – the joy to be found in companionship. Its Christmas market has roots going back to the 14th century and is held on the Marienplatz in the heart of the city centre
The famous market offers traditional Bavarian gifts such as wood carvings from Oberammergau, gingerbread and exquisite glassware. Crib figurines, bees wax candles and sweet treats are also on display.
The Kripperlmrkt, a short walk away on Neuhauser Strasse, specialises in cribs and other nativity goods, and has been famous for centuries. Children willove the Heavenly Workshop held in the Town Hall. Under the supervision of professional artists from the city’s Children’s Museum, girls and boys can have fun with arts and crafts, baking and dressing up
There are over 20 Christmas markets in Munich including a medieval market with gospel singing and even a Christmas market with ice skating at Munich’s international airport
– Cologne:
The lovely cathedral city of Cologne has seven romantic markets for Christmas each with its own distinctive character and programme Head to The Christmas market at Cologne cathedral for food and drink, arts and crafts or Home of the Elves, a rustic market in the heart of the old town with traditional market stalls , quaint alleyways and gnomes galore. Then there is the fairy tale Christmas market at Rudolfplatz and Cologne’s oldest Christmas market on the Neumarkt, in the shopping area against the backdrop of the church St Aposteln.
The maritime Christmas market is situated directly on the Rhine and has about 80 stalls in white pagoda huts with roof peaks that look like the sails of ships; there is a lively programme with pirates, mulled wine and lovely gifts.
– Vienna:
Vienna’s impressive architecture dominates the city, from the palaces of Belvedere to the magnificent buildings at the Ringstrasse. These are wonderfully complemented by swathes of parkland and the beautiful blue Danube that dissects the city. From mid-November onwards, the city’s pretty squares become home to magical Christmas markets with lovely gifts and delicious pastries and hot punch. As well as the Vienna magic of Advent at the Rathauspatz with over 15 stalls, the Christmas village on Maria Theresien Platz has 60 stalls with traditional handicrafts. Christmas Village in the old AKH is a popular meeting point in the run up to Christmas, especially with the younger stet
– Brussels
Exhibitors from all over Europe set out their stall around Brussels famous Grand Place and Place St Catherine selling everything from food to lace and crafts and unusual tree decorations. There is also an outdoor ice-rink at Place du Marche aux Poissons and a sound and light show at Grand Place.
Christmas Cruising
Or for a different way to savour the Christmas atmosphere – cruise on a luxury ship through the heart of Europe, when the festive lights, the Christmas markets and often a dusting of snow capture the magic of the season. Between the end of November through to New Year, AmaWaterways’ luxury river cruise ships offer guests time to visit the festively lit cities and villages with their Christmas markets piled high with gifts and decorations
Christmas market river cruises
AmaWaterways’ Christmas Time cruise is a 7 night sailing between Nuremberg and Budapest on thirteen departure dates from the end of November throughout the festive season, making it an ideal way to see the Christmas markets and take in Europe’s festive atmosphere. The cruise takes in the world’s largest Christmas market in Nuremberg, the festively decorated stalls of the Old Kornmarkt’s in the medieval city of Regensberg and the “royal” Christmas markets at the Thurn and Taxis Palace, where craftsmen can be seen making their goods. In Passau, guests enjoy an optional tour to Salzburg, the `Sound of Music’ city, with its numerous festive markets and tourist attractions, and on to Melk, to visit the magnificent baroque Benedictine Abbey.
In Vienna, guests have the opportunity to see some of the numerous Christmas markets in Austria’s capital, including the 60 traditional Christmas market stalls at the Imperial Schönbrunn Palace. The cruise concludes in Budapest, festively decorated for Christmas, and an illuminations cruise past the city after a farewell dinner on board enables guests to see the city at its finest.
contact AmaWaterways freephone 0808 223 5009,www.amawaterways.co.uk
