If you do not want to spend Christmas cooped in your home, you can take your family to Christmas market breaks by coach. Visiting popular markets at the same time exploring a country’s culture is a fun and different way to spend Christmas Day.
Where Do You Want to Spend Your Christmas Day?
If you want to shake off the usual Christmas routine, you can travel across Europe, discovering and exploring the array of different markets of each country. Some of the popular locations you can choose to celebrate the holidays include:
- Austria
Austria is a beautiful location with snow, trees, snow-capped hills, hiking trails, and lakes. Austria is a breathtakingly stunning place to visit and spend Christmas day. You will fall in love with everything the country has to offer. If you are taking the coach tour, you will most likely find yourself celebrating Christmas with a three-course meal and entertainment.
- Switzerland
If you want to have a white Christmas, another option you can select from is Switzerland. In the country, you are bound to have an amazing time, as you sit down for a meal with your family. You are more than welcome to join the country’s Christmas celebration and most importantly, see Christmas through their eyes. It will be an unforgettable experience, as you will get to enjoy a sleigh ride and participate in other Swiss Christmas traditions.
- Germany
By far, Germany hosts one of the most impressive Christmas markets. Their Christmas markets attract several people each year. In the crowded markets, you will see both local and foreigners strolling through the markets. Since you will be in Germany on Christmas Day, you will have a wonderful time eating a delicious three-course meal. Have fun spending the holidays in Germany and shopping for items in the markets.
- Spain
For people who do not like cold weather and prefer to celebrate Christmas in warmer climates, but at the same time have a fun time, they should visit Spain. In Spain, you will come across several different sights. You will get to eat delicious food, enjoying listening and dancing to traditional music, and explore shopping opportunities in the Spain’s Christmas market. Your coach tour of Spain will not disappoint you and you will have a wonderful time exploring Spain and taking pictures of the many sights you come across on your tour.
Which country do you want to travel to for Christmas? It is a difficult decision, as all the countries sound fabulous. You can place all the names of the countries in a hat and pull out a chit to decide.
If you have a country in mind that you would like to go, you can start making plans to, as come Christmas time, most Christmas market break tours by coach become booked. People who are seriously thinking about going should know a little bit more about the markets they will encounter in each country so they get an idea on what to expect when they reach.
The Top 4 Christmas Markets
Here is a list of Christmas Market held in each country close to Christmas Day:
- WeihnachtsZauber, Berlin, Germany
The city of Berlin hosts Christmas from November 23rd to December 31st. In Berlin, you need to visit the Gendarmenmarkt square, which is where you will find the WeihnachtsZauber Christmas market.
The Franzozische Friedrichstadtkirche, the Deutsche Dom, and the Konzerthaus, which are three renowned buildings of the city, surround the market. Inside the market, you will come across a number of stalls and in the centre of the market; you will find an impressive Christmas tree. You find everything from cuisines, snacks, and souvenirs. On New Year’s Eve, a celebration takes place so try to be present so you can see all the festivities.
- Innsbruck Old Town, Austria
The Christmas market takes place from November 15th to January 6th. When you visit the market, all the beauty in front of you will spellbind you. Surrounding the market are medieval houses decorated with lights with several stalls located near it.
At the market, you will find ornaments, wooden toys, food, and more. Each day, trumpeters gather to plays play carols. Be sure to try their donuts and cranberry sauce sold at the market. In the background of the market, you will see stunning snow-capped mountains. In fact, it feels as if you are walking into a winter wonderland.
- Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona, Spain
The first Christmas market in Spain took place in 1786 and the tradition has continued ever since. Each year, hundreds of people visit the market to shop and look through over 200 stalls, selling all types of things.
You can buy Christmas gifts, small figurines, ornaments, and other items. You will also get to see musical parades, a Nativity scene contest, and exhibitions. You will have a fun time visiting all the stalls and purchasing traditional items to take home with you. Barcelona is a great place to go and explore with your family and friends, especially during Christmas so you can visit the stalls.
- Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz, Basel, Switzerland
Do you want to visit the largest market in Switzerland? If so, you need to visit Basel. The Christmas market takes place on November 25th and December 23rd. Each year, in November, the city prepares for Christmas, putting up stalls, lights, and decorations.
You should visit the Christmas market on Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz. You will like Christmas markets set up there, as you will find more than 100 stalls, traders, wooden huts, and practitioners. The locals of the Basel regions display their skills and talents as well. You can opt for Christmas tours and go to concerts.
You should visit one of the country’s Christmas markets to have a new experience. You can book a Christmas market tour breaks by coach from a tour company. Be sure to check the rates before you book. You have an incredible time in whichever city you decide to go to spend your Christmas.