It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so why not make the most of the festive season by enjoying a short break to one of Europe and the UK’s famous Christmas Markets? Choose from German Christmas Markets, York Christmas Markets, Christmas River Cruises and many more. Let us help you choose your perfect Christmas Market break, and enjoy the magical atmosphere of the most incredible markets in 2018.
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"What sights, sounds and smells! All our senses were stimulated, it was lovely to escape the blatant commercialism and to recapture the magic of childhood Christmases.”
Mrs Ainsley
Get into the festive spirit this Christmas and join us on one of our European Christmas market breaks. From mulled wine to unique gifts and tasty local delicacies, it really is the season to be jolly. Enjoy historical German Christmas markets as we head to iconic destinations such as the city of Cologne and the mighty capital, Berlin.
Take in Austria and its seasonal offerings in Salzburg and Innsbruck, or spend time in picturesque Prague, one of Europe’s most popular cities. Alternatively, stay in the UK and enjoy the delightful York Christmas Markets and Christkindlmarkt in Leeds, or relax on our Christmas river cruises docking to visit many magical markets.
Whether you’re looking for a short trip, a long weekend or slowing down and making a holiday of it, there’s something for everyone amongst our fantastic selection of Christmas market holidays. X really does mark the spot with these exciting x-mas deals.
If you’re thinking of a festive foray into Europe, but you’re not sure where to start, Bruges may just be the answer.
Love bugs looking for something with a bit more heart will love the atmosphere of Salzburg Christmas Market.
If you’re looking to experience more from your Christmas Market break this year, why not try Cologne?
Strasbourg is the Capital of Christmas, and if that doesn’t put the excitement into kids of all ages, we don’t know what will.
Restricted mobility certainly shouldn’t put you off, Erfurt is one of the most accessible for people who struggle to walk or have a disability.
What better way to get into the festive spirit than with a visit to one of Europe’s most magical Christmas markets. From Alsace in France to Salzburg in Austria and the ever popular German markets in Cologne, we’ve got it covered. So, whether it’s a short break you’re after, or maybe you want to make a holiday of it, there’s something for everyone amongst our selection of tours and here’s a few of our favourites.
Always leave your Christmas shopping to the last minute, because you’re fed up with the same old shops, selling the same old gifts? Then it’s a must that you visit one of Europe’s magical Christmas markets. From handmade decorations and trinkets to traditional wooden toys, you’ll find an array of gifts the whole family will love. And whilst you’re on with getting Christmas all wrapped up, no visit to the festive-filled markets would be complete without sampling the delicious local delicacies on offer, especially the Glühwein!
We’ve all heard about the famous German Christmas Markets and one thing is for sure, you won’t be surprised when it comes to the food and drink on offer. You’ll come across fantastic German beer on tap quite easily and, of course, what could be more German than a Brätwurst sausage?
You also find a great selection of Stollen to bring home with you, as a traditional Stollen weighs in at 4.4kg it’s another great reason to travel by coach as you won’t have to worry about a weight allowance on the way home.
Mulled wine in Germany is known as Glühwein.
The traditions between Austria and Germany differ only slightly. You can get your hands on the traditional gingerbread hearts better known as Leberkuchen and even find yourself tucking into roasted chestnuts. Be sure to try the giant pretzels and the mulled cider known as Gluhmostt whilst in out enjoying festive Austria.
Mulled wine in Austria is also known as Glühwein.
If you’re heading to the Czech Republic you’ll probably be told to try the mead. Known as medovina in Czech, it’s a sweet, honey wine that you will find hot and spiced to perfection, and great for warming your hands.
If you’re looking for something filling, the hog roast also is something not to be missed. Got a sweet tooth? Try the trdelnik. A sweet pastry made by wrapping dough around a stick and grilled. Topped off with sugar and a walnut mix, it’s delicious.
In the Czech Republic mulled wine is known as Svařené Víno
Belgium produces 23 tonnes of Foie Gras each year, and the controversial delicacy is ever popular around Christmas in Belgium.
You can pick it up quite easily from the markets around the country but, it can come with a hefty price tag. If something more novel is to your taste, you can get your hands on a chocolate Sinterklaas, you’ll have to admire how festive this chocolate Santa is and how good it tastes is just a bonus. You will find a large selection of the famous Belgian beer and ales at the markets. It’s said that Belgians drink around 74 litres of beer per person (statistically) each year! So, we’d consider this perfect territory for any beer enthusiast.
The mulled wine in Belgium is known as Vin Chaud.
The Dutch have their own deep-fried tradition when it comes to festive treats, the oliebollen. You may know them as Dutch doughnuts, or literally translated to oil spheres.
You’ll have no problem coming across these at the markets, or poffertjes for that matter. Poffertjes are small pancakes made with yeast and buckwheat flour, giving them a more spongey texture than a traditional pancake. For something a little more warming, there’s the famous Dutch pea soup, erwtensoep.
You will find Mulled wine in The Netherlands to be known as Bisschopswijn.
If you’re heading to Austria why not pick up some porcelain? Traditionally made in Vienna, be it for a coffee lover or even a beer enthusiast, you can get your hands on a variety of porcelain gifts from mugs to steins.
If you’re looking for something iconic, Swarovski Crystals may be more up your street. You can pick up some authentic jewellery from the Swarvoski Kristallwelten in Tyrol, or you can find Swarovski in many boutiques and jewellery shops around the country.
If France is in your Christmas itinerary, why not treat someone, or yourself, to a nice bottle of champagne? If you’re heading into Strasbourg, pick up some traditional Alsatian wine.
If you know somebody with more of a sweet tooth, how about some macaroons for a perfectly French gift?
The Czech Republic is well known for its puppetry, you can pick up a marionette easily in many shops, especially around Prague.
They may not be the prettiest of items but they are packed full of personality and would make a great present for children and big kids alike.
Germany is the home of the nutcracker, so why not take one of these iconic figures back home with you? Or, is something more unusual to your taste?
You could treat someone to some Hamburg Elbkiesel, sweets that are made to look like gravel, or even a Schnapps pipe, a novel way of replacing the glass for their favourite tipple.
If they’re a bit far-fetched and you’re wanting to get tradition to a tee, how about some lederhosen?
When in the Netherlands, it will be hard to miss the Klompen, full foot wooden clogs traditional to the Dutch.
Approximately 3 million pairs of Klompen are made every year in the Netherlands so you should have plenty of opportunity to get your hands on some whilst you’re there.
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Why not take a look at our full list of our tours to Christmas Markets?
4 days from only £269pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 days from only £259pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 - 5 days from only £399pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 days from only £269pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 - 5 days from only £299pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 - 5 days from only £449pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 - 5 days from only £319pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 days from only £339pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
4 days from only £349pp
Departures: Nov 2018 - Dec 2018
