The best places to glug gluhwein and walk in winter wonderland around the world.
Berlin: Second only to Palestine when it comes Christmas heritage, Germany is the point of origin for many of our festive traditions. Berlin itself has more than 60 Christmas markets. However, the Berliner Weihnachtszeitnear Alexanderplatz offers all the usual attractions together with a 50-metre Ferris wheel, and is set amidst the resurgent former East Berlin.
Brussels: Extending from the elegant public space of the Grand Place to Place St Catherine, it's only thanks to the Schengen Agreement that you can visit Plaisirs D'Hiver's 240 stalls without a passport. There's a slick sound and light show, fairground and Ferris wheel, an ice rink and even a toboggan ride, together with circus performers and marching bands.
Copenhagen: Amongst a sea of twinkling lights, Tivoli Gardens coincides with the ideal of a winter wonderland. This year 50 stalls sell traditional handicrafts and delicious Nordic treats, from warming glasses of Gløgg to sweetly spherical Aebleskiver pancakes. The Danes have even embraced pantomime - look out for One Eyed Dick and the Quest for the Big Chest…
Dubai: Offering an upfront interpretation of Christmas as a contemporary festival of shopping, Dubai's sunny al fresco market is held at the amphitheatre in Media City. Stalls are geared to selling presents rather than tinsel and chintz so bring your credit card. Highlights include gingerbread house building, a snowballing zone with real snow, and a Christmas pantomime.
Dublin: New to Dublin, 60-plus stalls are planned for the St Stephen's Green Christmas Market, opening the same day Grafton Street's lights are switched on. Borrowing elements from across the continent, whilst adding an Irish festive twist to an already lively party scene, Dublin's markets should be a winning combination. No alcohol will be on sale, though apparently the city has a few specialist drinks retailers.
Lille: Eurostar's politically induced kink makes Lille an easy cross Channel jaunt. Around 80 stalls crowd the Place Rihour, together with a Ferris wheel and impressive Christmas tree in the nearby Grand Place. However, it's the city's warren of Mediaeval alleyways and courtyards, together with good restaurants and purveyors of locally-brewed ales that combine to make an attractive Christmas destination.
Lucerne: Hardly one of the best-known festive markets even in Switzerland, the lakeside city of Lucerne is worthy of inclusion for its beautiful location and achievable scale. Christmas sees Franziskanerplatz replete with prerequisite ice rink and 70 markets stalls. If you've bought all you need and overdosed on lebkuchen wrap up warmly for a fresh perspective via a paddle steamer cruise on Lake Lucerne.
Mainz: If you prefer Christmas half-timbered, crumbled with gingerbread and washed down with trumpets and trombones, head to Germany's Rhineland city of Mainz. Since 1788, the bell towers of St Martin's Cathedral have witnessed one of the country's favourite Advent markets - look out for an 11-metre wooden pyramid featuring carved figures of the angels, Santa and local boy Johannes Gutenberg.
Prague: Prague's Gothic facades seem conceived with the season in mind. Three main squares, each a short distance apart, all participate; The Old Town Square with its centrepiece of the Krknose Christmas tree, Wenceslas Square and Havel's Market. Carol concerts, mulled svaÅ?ené víno, trdelník sweet pastries and famous Czech beer all add to the mix.
Vienna: As the city's original 'Krippenmarkt' dates from 1298, Vienna's many Christmas markets transcend simple 'tradition'. The city's Rathausplatz has an illuminated 28-metre spruce as a centrepiece to stalls selling roast chestnuts, punsch and all manner of indispensable Christmas ephemera. Elsewhere, take the tram to the immense Habsburg palace of Schloß Schönbrunn for a Christmas market surrounded by the echoes of empire.
This article has been produced in association with www.talkholiday.com
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