best Christmas market? Europe or UK?

pctaddy

Salzburg is brilliant if you can get cheap flights. As mentioned before, the airport is only a short bus ride from the centre. There are three markets plus another at Hellbrun nearby which begin in November (we're going from 22 to 29th as they start that weekend) Later there's yet another in the Fortress at weekends. and one in the station. The best is apparently at St Wolfgang on a weekend but you have to catch two buses there though it isn't far really. Apparently the lake has underwater lights for the duration of the markets. I "did" the Salzburg and Hellbrun markets last year; they were perfect.

ThriftyIsNifty

A couple of years ago I went to the Weinachtsmarkt in Stuttgart. This was predominently modern stalls, but lots of interesting things. The best bit was a Laplander Teepee with an open fire inside where they served salmon cooked by an open fire.

Next door to Stuttgart is Esslingen where they have a 'Middle Ages Market'. This was far more fun, with braziers and open fires and lots of really nice things on sale in leather, stone and metal (not all at once!). Lots of good food and drink too.:beer:
http://www.mittelalterliches-esslingen.de/

You can get to Stuttgart by train quite quickly now. Eurostar to Paris and then TGV from Paris East to Stuttgart direct. Guides to trains can be found at:
http://www.seat61.com/Germany.htm#Munich

It's probably pricier than flying, but more envionmentally friendly...:A

I have recently been looking into this with a view to going in December, hence having the links handy!

Beate

hollydays wrote: »

If you want to avoid eating horsemeat- at least know the word for it..

Are you trying to be offensive? Why do you think you would get offered horsemeat on a German Christmas market? But as it obviously means so much to you, the word is Pferdefleisch.

hollydays

er..how is that offensive?

babypringle

we're going to the xmas market in Bruges ... P&O are doing £18 daytrips for a car and passengers in November and December. It's just over an hour's drive from Calais to Bruges.

http://www.poferries.com/tourist/content/pages/template/offers_ferry_offers_last-minute_special_offers.htm;jsessionid=ac10182d30d9c4b116bbf9654e4c9f64d128662c98d4.e38Mc34Ma3iKa40Lc3iOa34Oax8Ne6fznA5Pp7ftolbGmkTy

mathsmonkey

I've been to Salzburg, that's definitely a nice place. I also lived in Graz (Southeast Austria), they have a lovely Christmas market too. Ryanair fly there, then it's about 15 mins. by bus into the city centre. As well as the market, they also have outdoor icerinks, a huge advent calendar projected onto the town hall, and loads of ice sculptures. Really pretty.

anna_pirie

horse meat =pferdenfleisch in german

dave44_2

The best Xmas markets are definitely in Germany, with Munich and Nuremberg arguably the best, although Salzburg and Prague are also very good.

I regularly go to Munich and there are several different ones around the city including in the main town square. Lots of different craft and food stalls etc. in a lovely setting. If its a little cold - its snowing here in Munich as I write and forecast to be -10 over the next couple of days - then a Gluhwein (mulled wine with a optionally an extra shot of brandy) will soon warm you up, or head for the nearby Hofbrauhaus for beer and good solid Bavarian food indoors.

Munich is about an hour by train from Salzburg airport so very reachable on Ryanair, or also with Easyjet and Air Berlin direct (Air Berlin have just started flights to Munich from Stansted and there are good bargains around as introductory offers form 1euro plus taxes)

Nuremberg is also very good and can be reached direct from Stansted on Air Berlin as well, or by train in just over an hour from Munich.

henhouse_2

Munich is wonderful, there are various markets dotted around, all easy access by tube, train or taxi. the one in the centre is superb, the one held under cover at the beer festivel tent is good and one near the chinese tower in the English garden is magical in the snow. If you combine witha twin centre break say Innsbruck or Saltzburg even better. Enjoy.:T

Avallon_2

I live near and work in Lincoln. I love it. However, the Xmas market no longer offers an authentic/cosy experience. I'd say that it's like a large farmer's market. A few food stalls selling nice but expensive food and a bunch of stalls selling tat. If you've never been to Lincoln, then it would be a worthwhile visit for the city itself, look at the market as a 'bonus'.