Make Christmas shopping more fun with a festive markets break, writes Katie McGonagle
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In the words of Slade frontman Noddy Holder, “It’s Chrissssstmasssss!”OK, so it’s only October, but when it comes to booking festive breaks, this is the equivalent of leaving your shopping until 4pm on Christmas Eve and having to elbow through the crowds to get everything on your list.
Luckily there’s a far more civilised shopping experience across the Channel in the Continent’s quaint Christmas markets. With the scent of cinnamon and gingerbread in the air, gluhwein steaming on the stove and carol singers setting a joyful tone, Europe’s most historic town squares are about to transform into wintry wonderlands packed with festive treats.
But which market town should your clients choose, and how should they get there?
Land
Western Europe’s festive markets are close enough to reach by coach or rail, so clients who would rather not fly need not miss out. Over-55s specialist Grand UK has added the markets of northern France this season, while Shearings has already seen such demand for its Ostend, Rothenburg and Stuttgart departures that it’s adding extra capacity.
Of Leger’s 35 market destinations, commercial manager Anita Rogers says: “Two of my favourites are Valkenburg and Cologne. Valkenburg has some of the oldest and largest underground Christmas markets in Europe – they’re set in caves which were excavated under the town in Roman times, so it’s a unique sight.
“Cologne also has a lot to offer – there’s a floating market aboard a cruise ship moored along the Rhine promenade, and it boasts the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.”
Leger’s Brussels & Valkenburg Christmas Markets coach tour starts at £239 departing December 1, while the three-day Magical Cologne Christmas Markets costs from £169.
The Dutch town’s Fluweelengrot, or ‘Velvet Cave’, is also a highlight on Crusader Holidays’ Valkenburg Christmas Market tour, where guests can double up on gift shopping with an excursion across the border to Cologne or the lesser-known market at Monschau (from £259).
While Bruges is enchanting at any time of year, the lead-up to Christmas is extra-special, according to Kirker Holidays marketing manager Patrick Millar. He says: “The wonderfully preserved medieval centre of Bruges, glittering with fairy lights, creates the perfect setting for a traditional Christmas market and it’s the ideal place to pick up gifts – not just from the traditional market stalls but also from the city’s excellent chocolate shops.”
A three-night stay starts at £415 including Eurostar and onward rail travel to Bruges, four-star B&B accommodation and a 72-hour museum pass.
Singles specialist Just You also uses Eurostar connections for a twin-centre Lille and Bruges tour (four days from £499, departing November 28 and December 5).
Those looking for somewhere smaller but still beautiful should explore the destinations covered by specialist operators such as Great Rail Journeys, which recommends lesser-known Liège in Belgium, or tiny capital Luxembourg, with its wooden chalets, choirs and brass bands, plus extra winter warmth courtesy of locally-made schnapps.
Air
Germany is the original home of the Christmas market and boasts the lion’s share of classic examples, ranging from medieval-themed markets in Dresden to small but traditional ones in Frankfurt, both favourites of Fred Holidays UK sales manager Lawrence Peachey.
For something unusual, Peachey suggests the scented tree decorations in the off-the-beaten-track market at Wartburg Castle, near Eisenach; or, for families, the Ferris wheel and fairy tale forest at Leipzig, where little ones can come face-to-face with Santa himself.
Those who want to tick off the most famous markets can tour the major stops on Trafalgar’s German Christmas Markets winter tour, which visits the country’s oldest market, Striezelmarkt in Dresden, along with the most famous in Nuremburg, Erfurt, historic Weimar and Leipzig (from £1,185 for the eight-day trip).
Austria is the next step in the festive market heartland, with capital Vienna playing host to 20 Christmas markets, although Osprey Holidays reservations consultant Ross Merchant recommends one in particular. He says: “Rathausplatz, or City Hall Square, is where you will find the best hot festive punch to warm you up!” A two-night break with flights from Gatwick and four-star accommodation costs from £270.
Traditional Germany and Austria remain best-sellers for city-break specialist Cresta, but its festive programme also reaches farther afield to the likes of Copenhagen, where Father Christmas sits in the charming Pantomime Theatre amid a Scandinavian-inspired market; and Estonian capital Tallinn, where kids will be captivated by a herd of reindeer and a mini zoo.
Prague is the most popular Christmas market for Newmarket Holidays amid a programme that stretches from Barcelona to Salzburg via Berlin and the Black Forest. The four-day break focuses on the Old Town and Wenceslas Square, with time to explore smaller markets dotted around the city and an excursion to Dresden. Prices start at £309 including flights from eight UK airports.
Or for anyone inspired by Abta’s recent Travel Convention in Slovenia, Balkan Holidays has introduced breaks to Ljubljana this year. Its two markets – St Nicholas Fair in early December and the town centre all month – are packed with wooden toys and handicrafts, plus the aromas of mulled wine, warm honey schnapps and roasted chestnuts. Three nights’ B&B starts at £290 departing December 11 from Stansted.
Water
Whether they’re addicted to gingerbread or simply can’t get their fill of carols, for some clients, one market just isn’t enough. That’s where a river cruise comes in, ticking off several spots in one journey and offering easy access to the market squares.
The majority of cruises sail along the Rhine, with popular stops at Cologne, Bonn, Koblenz, Mainz and chocolate-box town Rudesheim, where the Christmas market takes place in old cobbled street the Drosselgasse, serving up traditional coffee with brandy and whipped cream, and featuring Europe’s largest nativity scene.
Alongside new options being sold through Fred, Grand UK and SuperBreak (see box, right), most Germany-focused cruises sail for between three and five days.
Shearings, for example, has a seven-day Christmas Markets on the Rhine tour bookending a four night sailing, with coach, rail or air travel to the departure point in Cologne (from £539).
Those who prefer the smaller market towns along the banks of the Moselle will find The River Cruise Line’s Magical Moselle Christmas Markets trip delightfully quaint. The five-day cruise starts in Koblenz, visits Cochem for wine-tasting and an evening market tour, then Zell, an optional excursion to Germany’s oldest market at Trier, and finally historic Alken (from £339, departing December 1, 7, 18 and 15).
The romantic Danube is the top seller for CroisiEurope, which offers festive cruises through the Seine Valley (new this year), Alsace, Black Forest and Belgium. The five-day Majestic Danube Cruise is a round-trip from Vienna visiting Bratislava and Budapest (from £601 cruise-only for 2015).
Budapest is also the departure point for AmaWaterways’ 161-berth AmaBella, sailing a Christmas on the Danube itinerary, stopping at Bratislava, Vienna, Melk and Linz en route to Vilshofen. A December 20 departure starts at £1,999 including flights, transfers, meals, daily tours and excursions.
New this christmas
Over-55s specialist Grand UK Holidays has added a five-day coach tour, Christmas Markets of Northern France, based in Lille and visiting Arras and Amiens, from £319 departing December 1. There’s also a new Cruising the Rhine Christmas Markets itinerary on the Prinses Christina, starting in Cologne and stopping at Koblenz and Mainz (from £349 for five days departing December 1).
grandukholidays.com/travel-agents
Diamond Rail Holidays has introduced Strasbourg this year, home of the oldest and largest Christmas market in France, held in front of its Gothic cathedral. The four-day B&B break starts at £449, meaning guests can try local specialities such as bacon and cheese pastry tarte flambée and winter stew baeckeoffe, pronounced ‘bake off’.
diamondrailholidays.co.uk
Sister company The River Cruise Line will also be visiting Strasbourg for the first time on new ship Serenity, with a four-day Rhine cruise from Mainz starting at £399, departing December 8 and 11. rivercruiseline.co.ukInghams has added Christmas markets breaks to Munich, Nuremburg and Montreaux, one of Switzerland’s biggest markets on the shores of Lake Geneva. As well as shopping, guests can take a brewery tour in Munich, a day trip to Lake Lucerne or visit Chateau de Chillon Medieval Market where stallholders dress in traditional Swiss costume.
inghams.co.uk
Fred Holidays’ Christmas Markets and Winter Breaks brochure has added lesser-known destinations Würzburg, Wiesbaden, Lübeck, Ludwigsburg and Bremen plus a new river cruise, Christmas on the Rhine. This sails between Amsterdam and Basel, stopping at Cologne and Speyer, with an optional excursion to Heidelberg (from £1,987 with flights and meals).
fred.travel/travel-agents
Jet2holidays has introduced Munich’s Marienplatz market this year, with prices from £235 departing Leeds Bradford or Newcastle on December 5 for a two-night room-only break.
tradesite.jet2holidays.com
SuperBreak has introduced its first cruise, the four-night Christmas Market Cruise on Marco Polo, calling at Amsterdam and Antwerp. The package includes rail travel to London, a night in a hotel, and transfer to Tilbury to embark on a three-night full-board cruise on December 14. Prices vary depending on departure point, from £335 ex-Brighton or £340 from Cardiff or Manchester.
superbreak.com/travelagent
