2. Christmas Wonder Land
Supermarkets are packed with sweet tins and advent calendars, houses sparkle under the
weight of a thousand fairy lights, and famous adverts are shown every fifteen minutes. A few
years ago this would mean that Christmas is imminent, but these days it could still be on the
build-up to Halloween. Still, despite the total over-exposure we love Christmas here, and
everything it entails. And one of the most fun things you can do on the run up to the big
event is head to an authentic Christmas market.
This list isn’t definitive in the slightest. It’s just some of my personal favourites, markets that
capture my imagination and really get me in that Christmassy mood. You know the one,
drifting to sleep with the fire on with the familiar sounds of The Great Escape on the TV…
3. Lille Market & More…
Lille Christmas Market is in the heart of the city in the north of France, dead easy
to get to either by air or by rail. It doesn’t have the largest number of stalls that
you’ll find, but it has a real charming atmosphere with a replicated wooden village
covered with artificial snow. There’s a stylish 18 metre tree along with a 50 metre
wheel that you can ride, giving you great views over the entire cityscape.
Liege has a magnificent Christmas market surrounding an ice rink, offering a truly
idyllic experience to really get you excited for the holidays. More than two million
people visit the market every year to see 200 stalls selling a range of items from
gifts and crafts to delicious traditional Belgium chocolate.
4. Colonge or Boppard?
Cologne doesn’t have one Christmas market. It has six! Frankly it’s almost a bit
greedy but when you’re visiting you don’t care. One of the most popular ones is
definitely the market at the Cathedral, which towers over the stalls for a truly
breath-taking setting. However I prefer the market on the Rudolfplatz, which has
a range of figures that draw inspiration from the Grimm fairy tales, which the
whole family will love. Also while you’re in Cologne there’s a Chocolate Museum
you can visit – amazing.
The Boppard Christmas market doesn’t just make this list because it’s fun to say.
That’s part of it, definitely, but it’s not the whole reason. No, the major reason is
because if you want to see a quieter market, somewhere less renowned but still
selling a wealth of fascinating traditional items, you won’t find anywhere better
than Boppard. It truly defines the classic image of a quaint Christmas market.
5. Come and Cruise
One of my favourite ways to see the Christmas markets is as part of a relaxing
mini break, and river cruises are a delight at this time of year. For a completely
luxurious experience, book yourself onto a river cruise and sail the waters of
some of the most scenic waters across the world, stopping at Christmas
markets along the way. Complete and utter bliss.
Come and join us on an Christmas river cruise,
with River voyages.
http://www.rivervoyages.com
6. Come and Cruise
One of my favourite ways to see the Christmas markets is as part of a relaxing
mini break, and river cruises are a delight at this time of year. For a completely
luxurious experience, book yourself onto a river cruise and sail the waters of
some of the most scenic waters across the world, stopping at Christmas
markets along the way. Complete and utter bliss.
Come and join us on an Christmas river cruise,
with River voyages.
http://www.rivervoyages.com
