best Christmas market? Europe or UK?

Beate

I agree - I don't remember the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park from earlier years so I am going for the first time this year. It seems to be pretty big!

ljhhuk

Edinburgh has a great Christmas market and last year I got some lovely wooden things that I had never seen before. You can also ice skate in the gardens and enjoy Edinburgh's brilliant atmosphere!
Thetrainline.com has some good prices to Edinburgh if you book now. Two singles are usually cheaper than a return ticket.

moneylover

GH wrote: »

I have narrowed it down to Krakow , Cologne or Basel for a Christmas market trip this year as these are served by air from where I live. Which of the 3 is the best?

Well, I wouldnt go to Krakow just for the market nice as it is, but Krakow is just an interesting place with so much to do and when we went a couple of Christmasses ago we had snow.

If you are able to go in December you can see the Nativity Cribs exhibition which is in the museum by the market and just amazing
http://www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=40183

peterbaker

I liked Prague, but I really liked Berlin as there are substantial markets and a great atmosphere in almost every corner of this wonderful old city which has succeeded in building a once more proud place for itself as a distinguished and important European capital.

Not so obvious, but SWMBO really likes Barcelona in the lead up to Christmas, so it's not to be overlooked if you like everything within easy walking distance.

Stephen_Leak

GH wrote: »

I have narrowed it down to Krakow , Cologne or Basel for a Christmas market trip this year as these are served by air from where I live. Which of the 3 is the best?

Cologne (aka Köln). Usually in the main square in front of the magnificent cathedral. Bockwurst, glühwein ...

Beate

I applaud your correct spellling of German words, Stephen Leak.

gooismeid

Manchester's Christmas market is now huge and spread over three sites in the city centre. There are lots of authentic German/Austrian/Swiss stalls selling gluhwein and traditional foods (although more expensive than you'd find in Germany), and loads of craft-type stalls for Christmas presents and decorations. Most of the people in my office - including me - tend to go practically every weekend just for the atmosphere. And the gluhwein, obviously.

lolarentt

hollydays wrote: »

Cologne is nice,lots of craft stalls and mulled wine.Take a dictionary-I dont know German for Horsemeat:eek:

Agree Cologne is great, we're going again this year. Starts on w/e 25 November, cheap flights from Stansted (German Wings) and East Midlands (easyJet). Also lots of great brauhaus's to sample the local Cologne beer, kolsch, which is only brewed within around 20km of Cologne. They have many markets, in different squares, and you can visit the great chocolate museum on the river.

sparepenge

I live in Bath & the Christmas market consists of lots of wooden chalets in the Abbey courtyard, & spilling down to where the Crystal Palace pub is & around the side of M&S. It's worth visiting once, but it gets extremely busy, & because of the narrowness of the "aisles" between the chalets is very difficult to get around, especially if you have a pushchair. Also most of the stalls are run by existing shops in Bath eg the lovely Austrian shop in Margaret's Buildings has had a stall at the market in previous years. It's not cheap either & we think the food/drink stalls (again run by local restaurants) are very expensive. Best time to visit is usually 6pm on a week day.
Best Christmas markets I've been to in Europe are Tivoli in Copenhagen (there is an entrance fee, you can also go on all the rides, & the atmosphere is lovely but very busy), Nuremburg & Munich. The one in Toulouse is OK especially for food, but not really for Christmas gifts - it's more like those visiting French markets which come over here.

boots_babe

nuttywoman wrote: »

Does anyone know what the european markets in Manchester are like? Thanks

We went to these last year for the first time, and were genuinely amazed at how large they were. They are spread out over several sites, each of which is huge on it's own, but then when you realise that after you've looked around one site that there are a couple more yet to look round, you realise just how big it is.

We found it to be a great atmosphere, lots of opportunities for buying Christmas, and really good fun. Planning to go back this year - although not checked exactly when they are yet.