People with plans to travel somewhere else for Christmas this year need to look no further than traveling to Christmas markets by coach. They will have a fantastic time exploring another country’s cultures, interacting with the locals, and celebrating Christmas differently.
With so many Christmas markets held all over Europe each year, deciding on a country to travel to by coach is not easy. If you visit a country with more than one Christmas market, you want to be able to make time to go to each one. You will find all the answers to your problems along with helpful tips when you visit a market in Europe.
1. Visit More than One Country
If possible, you should consider visiting more than one country. Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are just three of the many countries to hold Christmas markets each year. If travelling to one country doesn’t seem practical to you, you can stay in one country, but make a point of visiting all the cities hosting Christmas markets.
If you are unable to visit more than one city, you need to make sure you travel to a city with several markets. If you are travelling by coach, it may take you to just one market, but even that will be worth it, as they provide you and your group with accommodation and a grand meal on Christmas day.
2. Dress for the Weather
If you are going to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or any other cold country, you need to dress for the weather. You need to dress warmly, wearing a jacket, earmuffs, winter boots, and a wool cap. By dressing in light clothing, you will not enjoy your explorations of the Christmas markets, mainly because you will be freezing.
3. Get the Kids
Most people think do not think they will be able to bring their children to the Christmas markets, but that is not true, as they are extremely kid-friendly. In some Christmas markets, you will come across rides, treats, and games. For parents with newborns or toddlers, bringing a stroller will be of no use, as you will have to navigate it through the crowed market, causing you and your partner distress. Instead, put them in a backpack carrier.
4. Schedule Your Trip on Time
Since each Christmas markets starts and end at different dates, you need to schedule your trip accordingly. You can inquire about the dates from the coach company you hire to take you. You can also check the tourism sites of each country to see if they have announced the dates. In Central Europe, most Christmas markets begin in late November and end around December 31
5. Visit Christmas Markets on Weekdays
Make a point of visiting the Christmas markers on weekdays instead of on the weekends. On weekends, the markets get very crowded with people, making it harder for people to shop. You can on the weekends if you want to see hustle and bustle of the market. If you want to shop, go on a weekday. Preferably, go early in the morning.
6. Go Coach
Skip the cost of renting a car by booking an affordable coach that will take you the country. The coach will take you straight to the market. It will pick you up from a designated location and take you to a hotel. From there, you can explore the markets.
7. Skip the Restaurants
When you will be eating local cuisines and snacks sold at the Christmas markets or small fast food joints in the country, why waste money booking a reservation at an expensive restaurant. Save the money for local, affordable, and tasty food. Moreover, use the money to shop at the markets. You never know what you may find.
8. Attend Cultural Events
When you are in a different country, you want to use that as an opportunity to ensure you do not miss out on all the Christmas festivities taking place in the markets. Most likely, you will come across plays, musicals, musicians, and performances performed by the locals. This will open your eyes to a new culture and local traditions.
You need to use the aforementioned tips if you want to have fun on your travels. You need to make your journey to another country in Europe as exciting and enjoyable as you can. It is not every day that you are making plans to visit another country to explore its Christmas market.
What Countries Host Christmas Markets?
Here is a list of countries that host Christmas markets each year:
- Switzerland
- Croatia
- France
- Austria
- Germany
- Belgium
If you reside in the United Kingdom or you want to visit the country, you will be happy to know the country also hosts Christmas markets. You can visit York, London, Manchester, Edinburg, and Birmingham.
Are You Ready to Experience a New Country?
This Christmas, do something different, especially if you are tired of doing the same old thing each year. Even though celebrating Christmas at home is nice, but sometimes, you need to change things up a little bit and be spontaneous.
The best way to make your trip a possibility would be to travel to a country famous for its Christmas markets by coach. It is an inexpensive option. People concerned about how comfortable the ride in a coach would be, just sit back and relax, as most coach tours are equipped with bathroom facilities, spacious seats, and friendly staff.
However, going by coach is not your only option to attend Christmas markets, as you can take a rail or a cruise. You need to confer with the tour company if they offer other alternatives to coach.
Whatever you decide on in the end, one thing will be for sure that you will have a lot of fun, as celebrating Christmas in a new environment is special, as it allows you to open up to a different culture than your own.