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Christmas Markets 2012

Enjoy a festive break to Christmas markets across Europe

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One of the things we always think about when planning for the festive season is shopping. And for a few short weeks in the run-up to Christmas, many city streets are now transformed into winter wonderlands, as continental market stalls roll into town, bringing with them the scents of food and drink, as well as the chance to purchase some last minute trinkets in time for Christmas.  These add to our well known Christmas street displays and shop window extravaganzas.

Take a look at the best Christmas market deals available or click here to read more tips and ideas.

Top Mid-Week Christmas Market Breaks

New York Christmas Shopping from £655pp 
Departing from London - 4 nights for 2 adults dept December from £655pp
Departing from the South- 4 nights for 2 adults dept December from £655pp
Departing from North West - 4 nights for 2 adults dept December from £655pp
Departing from Midlands- 4 nights for 2 adults dept December from £669pp
Departing from Scotland - 4 nights for 2 adults dept December from £659pp

Budapest from £110pp 
Departing from London - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £110pp
Departing from the South- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £110pp
Departing from North West - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £160pp
Departing from Midlands- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £179pp
Departing from Scotland - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £295pp

Amsterdam from £110pp 
Departing from London - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £110pp
Departing from the South- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £115pp
Departing from North West - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £119pp
Departing from Midland- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £169pp
Departing from Scotland - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £129pp

Cologne from £199pp 
Departing from London - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £199pp
Departing from the South- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £199pp
Departing from North West - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £220pp
Departing from Midland- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £220pp
Departing from Scotland - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £249pp

Paris from £189pp 
Departing from London - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £189pp
Departing from the South- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £189pp
Departing from North West - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £220pp
Departing from Midland- 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £299pp
Departing from Scotland - 2 nights for 2 adults dept December from £269pp

 

Christmas markets originated around the time of the Middle Ages, Christmas markets offer the chance to experience the history of some of Europe's most well known cities and take in the festive spirit through shopping and seasonal activities such as carol singing.  The biggest and the best are found in Northern Europe - particularly in Germany.

 

Tips on how to get a deal on Christmas Market Holidays;

 

Check the dates and times the markets operate before making a booking. Several websites issue this information or you can check with local tourist boards

 

Use price comparison to find the best flight or ferry options - book early to get the cheapest prices.  Book as early as you can as the markets are very popular with visitors, especially for weekend breaks

 

If travelling to a UK market then consider taking your own car versus using public transport - there are great rates on rail deals, coaches and car hire that can help you get the best transport price - remember that parking your own car may be expensive in some city centres

 

If you can travel midweek you can save up to 50% on air fares and may also make savings on hotel bills

 

Use price comparison to find the best hotel deals - staying outside of the city centre may reduce room costs

 

Consider package deals that offer transport and accommodation in one price - a number of operators offer these with local UK transport pick ups - check travelsupermarket.com for more info on these

 

All markets have a range of gifts and goodies on sale. Don't buy at the first stall, have a good look around before buying to find the best choice of product and prices and be prepared to haggle on price. Whilst many stall owners will not cut their prices, it's worth making an offer.

 

Ensure you take out an EHIC card and a full travel insurance policy - it may only be a short break, however you still need cover

 

Shop around for your holiday money - stalls deal in cash generally so you will need currency - buying currency on line before you go will give you the best deal or by a market beating pre-paid card on line before you travel and withdraw currency locally

Best Christmas Markets for;

  • Tradition - Vienna, Nuremberg, Dresden, Munich, Basle, Lincoln
  • Size - Cologne, Strasbourg
  • Food - Brussels, Cologne
  • Setting - Salzburg, Prague, Tallinn, Copenhagen
  • Unusual - Valkenburg (Holland), Reims


Best in the UK - Manchester, Lincoln, York, Birmingham


The largest and most well known markets can still be found in cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt and Vienna, which can be easily reached with cheap flights from many UK airports. And you can also visit many other cities, including Lille, Bruges, Copenhagen, Nuremburg, Salzburg, Prague, Dusseldorf and Berlin to name a few.

 

Combining flights and hotel stays to these places as well as other European cities, offers the chance of some one-stop Christmas shopping and the chance to take in the sights and sounds of historical cities.  Christmas markets are a popular destination for those looking to take in the splendour of a city break and also to pick up some ideas for presents. Each year, thousands of tourists flock to these markets in order to explore and shop.

 

The markets offer a huge range of food and drink to sample - from hot sandwiches made from locally sourced meat to freshly warmed mulled wine and hot chocolate to help stave off the winter cold. You can also pick up a traditional Stollen cake and lots of sweet treats to make more of the Christmas Break. With a wide range of food and drink, you're sure to find something to warm you up as you browse the quaint little stalls searching for stocking fillers.

 

If you are looking to enjoy such a market but stay closer to home, there are a number of Christmas markets around the UK - including Manchester, Birmingham, London and Edinburgh - attracting market traders from the continent, offering you the chance to buy presents, sample some European foodstuffs and enjoy the entertainment laid on throughout the festivities.  And you also get to sample some of the excellent shopping in these locations with the revamped Bull Ring and Post Office building in the Midlands, Manchester's vast new Arndale Centre, King Street and Market Street to tempt you.  In both of these cities the Christmas Markets lie right in the city centre.  For London you can head to Hyde Park for a Christmas Market and Fair or down to the South Bank for an alternative location.

 

Wherever you go be sure to try and make a mini breaks of your trip and stay overnight.  There is a vast range of accommodation in many Christmas Market destinations to choose from and spending longer will really get you into the festive mood.  Enjoy!