best Christmas market? Europe or UK?

JuliaLB

We have been to several over the last few years: Cologne had the most varied shopping, but we felt that there was not that much else to see there, although the pubs were fantastic.

Copenhagen - a lovely city in Winter with a lovely non-agressive atmosphere, even in the main shopping streets, and marvellous food. Tivoli gardens was fun but we did not think that the market was that good.

Salzburg - very pretty city, lots of markets, but mainly selling food and Xmas decorations. We also went out of town to Hellbrun (stately home plus gardens) - this was magical, with fires where you could sit and roast sausages and marshmallows, also had animals to visit.

Lubeck - which is where Ryanair flies to as Hamburg. Absolutely marvellous. Lovely atmosphere, several markets, beautiful outdoor ice rink, the home of marzipan, so lots of that to buy. Only 10 mins from the airport, so very easy to access. Although there were not that many wooden toys at the markets, there were some good toy shops with them in (and good value too.)

In summary, the most varied shopping was in Cologne, but all the others are good in other ways. If I had to choose one, I would choose Lubeck.

jezza2412

susancs wrote: »

My sister works for an Austrian firm and her colleagues recommend salzburg, Austria on Saturdays in December. We have booked for a day trip leaving Stansted early am and returning late the same day. The bus from the airport takes 20 minutes and everything is in walking distance in Salzburg. It gets dark about 3.30pm and it's then the carol singers, sleigh rides etc start. You also get the added bonus of being able to visit Moazart's house . Apparently it is great for children and adults alike. With 1p flights from Ryan Air it works out not a bad trip price.

We went to Salzburg for the Christmas market last year and it was a total nightmare: just heaving with tourists- you couldn't stand still for two seconds before being swept away in a tsunami of tour groups on the march.

And to make things worse it was raining rather than snowing so you were constantly being poked in the eye or dodging umbrellas.

There was just no way you could savour any kind of atmosphere and we couldn't wait to get out of there.

Horace

Beate wrote: »

You don't need a dictionary for Germany, I would say just about everyone will understand you. The German market in Birmingham is really nice and authentic, they come from Frankfurt, we go every year, as I am German myself and cannot live without a German christmas market!
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=68503&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=0

This year we will be checking out the Winder Wonderland in Hyde Park as well, it is said to have a German Christmas market as well.
http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/

I agree with Salzburgh though, it is such a lovely city, and really easy to reach by Ryanair.

I am pleased to know that the German market we have in Birmingham is authentic. I just love visiting especially at night when it has a really lovely atmosphere.

Be wary of the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park because it is not as good as Birmingham - it only had 6 small wooden sheds selling overpriced tat when I was there last year.

Birmingham is by far the best - I love the christmas decorations, unusual gifts, chocs and even gluhwein.

marsha8

I went with friends to the Christmas market at Salzburg last year.We booked to fly with Thompson flights from Coventry & got a really good deal as we could fly any day. We used Martin's Flightchecker site to book our flights.Salzburg was lovely & the shops classy though perhaps rather expensive.The market was large & Christmassy with hot food & drinks.A really memorable experience & the only thing missing was snow!!
:T

nettyporthole

I'd recommend the market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber - really romantic medieval town in Franconia with a low key Christmas market. There's loads of small shops in the town too, so it's quite a change from the monoculture of the big city shops. Loads of other stuff to do, too. I remember walking on walls etc.

trees139

Re: European markets
My husband now lives and works in Luxembourg and each December I fly out to see him and visit the wonderful Christmas market, which is set out in the main square and overflows into the side streets. It is well worth a visit, if you cannot find it just follow the smell of the mulled wine - you can't miss it.
To get there fly Ryanair to Frankfurt Haan where there is a coach which takes you directly into Luxembourg city (approx 1 1/2 hrs but through the most beautiful countryside) for I think about 10 euros (not too sure as husband always pays in advance from his end)
Trees :A

diddydi

Has anyone been to the Christmas market in Lille? I am going next week on the 2 for 1 Eurostar deal from Ebbsfleet. Just wondered what the best things to buy would be.
Thanks for any info.