Earlier this week, we took you on a whistle-stop tour of the Christmas Markets available in the UK but did you know that there are plenty of festive treats available in Europe too if you fancy travelling a bit further on coach holidays to experience something a little continental? With this in mind, we thought instead of taking a look at the most popular Christmas Markets, we’d like to introduce you to some of those less well-known so take a look at what we’ve cherry-picked for you and even you’ve been to any of them, let us know what they were like…
Vienna Christmas Market (19 Nov – 26 Dec 2011)
Starting towards the end of November and lasting all the way up until
Christmas Day, you are almost certain to find “Christkindlmärkte” on every corner of this beautiful city of Vienna. The biggest Christmas Markets can be found outside Vienna’s City Hall and Schönbrunn Castle. Stroll among the elaborately decorated Christmas Trees outside City Hall and have your photo taken with The Tree of Seals, The Kasperl Tree or the Post Office In The Clouds as backdrops. Schönbrunn Castle is festively illuminated and is the perfect location for the Christmas Village where festive concerts take place almost every day and visitors can enjoy mulled wine, gingerbread and all manner of tempting treats as they explore the multitude of huts with vendors selling their wares!
Tallinn Christmas Market (26 Nov – 08 Jan 2012)
What this market lacks in tradition, it makes up for in atmosphere and ambience so visitors to the Tallinn Christmas Market in Estonia are certainly in for a wonderful festive visit. It opens on the first day of Advent (usually the last weekend in November) and takes up residence in the Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) with over 50 merchant stalls for visitors and locals to explore. For those visitors looking for a slightly unusual gift this year, why not check out the range available in Tallinn from felted wool hats and slippers to buckwheat pillows, wooden bowls, wickerwork, quilts, ceramics, glassware, little sea-grass animals, home-made candles, wreaths and other decorations. Adding to the magical atmosphere is a huge Christmas Tree situated in the centre of the market, traditional Estonian folklore groups putting on shows featuring singing and dancing as well as the taste of traditional Estonian food such as Sauerkraut, blood sausages, gingerbread, marzipan and so much more – the whole family will definitely be entertained here!
Gdansk Christmas Market (5 Dec – 23 Dec 2011)
The Christmas Fair held in Gdansk is one of three popular Christmas Markets to be held in Poland where visitors can
experience a Polish-style Christmas by tasting the speciality food on offer or simply listening to beautiful Polish carols. Goods on sale include handicrafts from across the country, festive food such as heart-shaped ginger cakes, bigos, pierogi and delicious oscypek cheese, not forgetting to wash it all down with a cup of warming mulled wine to truly get into the festive spirit. If you’re at the Gdansk Christmas Market during the weekend, pay a visit to Santa Claus and don’t forget to check out the beautifully decorated 24-metre high Christmas Tree located near Dwor Artusa.
Tampere Christmas Market (09 Dec – 23 Dec 2011)
The annual Tampere Christmas Market is the oldest in Finland and takes place in
Keskustori. Visitors to this Christmas market will find a mass of stalls each offering a variety of traditional Finnish treats as well as handcrafts and gifts to tempt you this festive season. The locals in Tampere promise a merry atmosphere with performances to raise your holiday spirits as well as the opportunity to view products on sale from local artists and crafts people. This really is the perfect place to find those wonderful Finnish souvenirs and Xmas gifts that are a little unusual.
St Petersburg Christmas Market (mid Dec – 7 Jan 2012)
If you happen to be in Russia during the festive season, a visit to St Petersburg Christmas Market is definitely worth it. The city becomes a mass of festive colour as Christmas decorations brighten up the city centre but please be aware that the weather can be bitterly cold so wrap up warm if you fancy experiencing these Christmas Markets. St Petersburg Christmas Market began in 2006 and has been held every year since at Ostrovskogo Square (Ploshchad Ostrovskogo). Visitors can enjoy meandering around the 70+ stalls that offer traditional Russian crafts and foods such as blini and hot drinks as well as taking a skating turn on the ice rink or viewing festive shows put on by the local Children’s Theatre.
Have you been to any of the Christmas Markets shown above? What were the best bits? Are there any Christmas Markets you would recommend we visit? Do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!