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Want cheapish Xmas Market trip

Two of us want to visit European Xmas market (Germany/France/Belgium) for 2 or 3 days after 8 December. Loved Lubeck last year but left it too late for Ryanair really cheap flights this time.

Coming from Suffolk so thought of finding Eurostar trip from Ebbsfleet to somewhere. Possible package with hotel included, or just train and find own hotel. Don't want to drive myself abroad. If we fly it would be Stansted.

Anyone spotted any good deals or got any advice please, I know we've left it a bit late, just want some Christmas spirit. I've been searching but could do with ideas from someone whos done it. Thanks
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Comments

  • richardw
    richardw Posts: 19,470 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 13 November 2009 at 8:29PM
    You may have left it a little late for the best deals. Look at https://www.airberlin.com from Stansted to Hannover, hotels can be very good value and the Market is great. Also the train from Ebbsfleet to Cologne with one change at Brussels, there might be train and hotel deals on expedia or eurostar.co.uk . Look at https://www.germanwings.com flights from Stansted aswell.
    Posts are not advice and must not be relied upon.
  • McAzrael
    McAzrael Posts: 917 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Lille has a Christmas market and is day-tripping distance from you: http://www.noel-a-lille.com/index_anglais.html. Or perhaps call there on your way to Paris for a break. I've never been to Lille so I couldn't tell you if it is any good.

    I have been to Birmingham: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtchristmasmarket The city's a bit drab but I like the market. And driving there is easy.
  • richardw
    richardw Posts: 19,470 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Ryanair has good prices from Stansted to Memmingem.
    Posts are not advice and must not be relied upon.
  • moosetastic
    moosetastic Posts: 1,195 Forumite
    PPI Party Pooper
    cheapest package I've found is with Travelsphere -

    Germany

    Cologne £179 on 8th, £189 on 12th - http://www.travelsphere.co.uk/europe/germany/cologne_christmas_market.aspx

    Ahr Valley and Bonn Market £199 - http://www.travelsphere.co.uk/europe/germany/the_ahr_valley_and_bonn_christmas_market.aspx

    France and Belgium

    Lille Market and Bruges £189 on 12th -
    http://www.travelsphere.co.uk/europe/france/lille_christmas_market_and_bruges.aspx

    We went with Travelsphere a few years ago, it was wonderful, if you book early enough you can go from about £119, we went to Trier and Cochem which in the Moselle valley, but it doesn't look like its available anymore
    You're so very special, I wish I was special :dance:

  • taff007
    taff007 Posts: 108 Forumite
    Lille Christmas market is OK, if a little small and not quite what I was expecting. You can probably cover the market in 1/2 an hour, but the town as a whole has a nice Christmas feel to it and there's plenty to do for a short break.

    We stayed at the Novotel, which I'd highly recommend, which was booked at a really good price through superbreak.
  • splatt30
    splatt30 Posts: 339 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you can get to Cologne it is brilliant for Christmas Markets. There are at least 4 (maybe more can't quite remember). The other option with Eurostar would be Bruges which is gorgeous at any time of year and very festive.

    We Christmas market every year. This year's trip to Prague was a bargain with free flights from airmiles via Clubcard vouchers and £100 off hotel with nectar points on Expedia!!!!
  • I'm not sure if the christmas markets are fantastic. But ryanair has 2 pounds return tickets to olso from e 14th onwards. Or at least they do from london. :)
  • andygb
    andygb Posts: 14,700 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You could go to the Christmas market at Birmingham - only joking, although I may take a trip up there to see what it is like.
    If you can go over to the continent, then Lille in Northern France has a good one, and I bet Strasbourg does as well.
  • thanks for all your suggestions which I looked into. I am too mean to pay more than a tenner each way for flights, been spoilt by Ryanair, so had made up my mind no trip abroad this year. Then yesterday Ryanair had some flights to Lubeck at £3 all in each, each way - Bargain.

    Had to start an entropay card for new electron card, as Coop won't do them now. I've applied twice to Easy Cash Halifax and had no reply so gave up with them.

    Then had frantic couple of hours trying to find a hotel, settled for a s/c apartment room for 2 at £39 each for 2 nights!! Looks basic but ok, better than sleeping in bus station!

    I've been to Lubeck before, its a really beautiful old town and looking forward to another taste of the gluhwein and some Christmas spirit. Thanks again everyone.
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