Most magical place in Europe (early December)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the appeals of Christmas markets. You like packed, overrun shopping full of Chinese trinkets?

Cheerful, aren't we? I've been to many markets across Europe and while I understand your comment about made in China trinkets (even Europeans complain about it), the markets are really for the festive atmospheres and being with family and friends enjoying hot drinks and food and being social. Some of my best travel memories are of sipping hot mulled wine as a gentle snow falls in a historic city square. I never buy anything from the stalls but I always get the market mug or two as a memento. Right now I have a decent collection of the mugs from Germany, Austria and France. They are the perfect size for the breakfast coffee.

In some cities there will be a market that is more artsy and devoted to arts & crafts by local artisans. Vienna has a great one by their modern art museum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the appeals of Christmas markets. You like packed, overrun shopping full of Chinese trinkets?

Cheerful, aren't we? I've been to many markets across Europe and while I understand your comment about made in China trinkets (even Europeans complain about it), the markets are really for the festive atmospheres and being with family and friends enjoying hot drinks and food and being social. Some of my best travel memories are of sipping hot mulled wine as a gentle snow falls in a historic city square. I never buy anything from the stalls but I always get the market mug or two as a memento. Right now I have a decent collection of the mugs from Germany, Austria and France. They are the perfect size for the breakfast coffee.

In some cities there will be a market that is more artsy and devoted to arts & crafts by local artisans. Vienna has a great one by their modern art museum.

Curious, how old are you and when was the last time you went to one? This all sounds like a fantastical recollection of a time long gone.

[Anonymous]

I went to a Christmas market in stuttgart ten or so years ago, and my favorite part was the regional food stuff: smoked fish on sticks, potato puffs, etc. I didn’t really shop much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.

Agreed. I’m the 18:41 poster who went this year. The only market that we went to that felt hallmarkish was this tiny town in Austria we visited only because I wanted to see a very specific thing (and no not Hallstatt). The rest of them, ugh.

Every other stand is a Gluhwein stand. And if it’s not a gluhwein stand, it’s a sausage stand. Lots of made in china stuff, but I did find some handmade items. You have to know what you’re looking for. Some of the true made in Germany stuff can easily be purchased at like a Homegoods (the German smokers and some of the wooden decorations and ornaments). You can get it cheaper at homegoods plus you don’t have to worry about getting it home.

The crowds are unbearable and I don’t mind crowds, but you literally could not move.

The weather is also really crummy….its a cold, wet mess. You likely will not get snow. In two weeks, the sun came out twice.

Uh, gluhwein is amazing. What’s the problem here?

gluhwein is fine and all, but when 75% of a christmas market is only gluhwein stains, its like what??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the appeals of Christmas markets. You like packed, overrun shopping full of Chinese trinkets?

Cheerful, aren't we? I've been to many markets across Europe and while I understand your comment about made in China trinkets (even Europeans complain about it), the markets are really for the festive atmospheres and being with family and friends enjoying hot drinks and food and being social. Some of my best travel memories are of sipping hot mulled wine as a gentle snow falls in a historic city square. I never buy anything from the stalls but I always get the market mug or two as a memento. Right now I have a decent collection of the mugs from Germany, Austria and France. They are the perfect size for the breakfast coffee.

In some cities there will be a market that is more artsy and devoted to arts & crafts by local artisans. Vienna has a great one by their modern art museum.

Curious, how old are you and when was the last time you went to one? This all sounds like a fantastical recollection of a time long gone.

45 and the last markets was in December 2023 in Munich and Bamberg. Will also say we went to Nuremberg and do not recommend it, we were there for the opening weekend and the place was packed and so crowded that even I felt uncomfortable. But Munich in the snow was delightful and Bamberg is a charming small German city (the largest place not to be bombed in the war) and had fantastic sausages on a bun

[Anonymous]

Calling it 'magical' is only going to set you up for disappointment, I'm afraid.

[Anonymous]

The Christmas markets in Germany were amazing! BUT you need to research which ones are the touristy ones and which are for crafts etc. I went to 6 Christmas markets in 1 city and they all had a different feel. The markets where you pay to get in were better and had local artisans. The other ones were more for people getting together in the evenings. I bought some really amazing German crafts. The food was great! Our family had such a great time that we will definitely go back.

[Anonymous]

In 2023, we did Paris and Strasbourg the week before Christmas, and it was awesome. Paris was beautiful and Strasbourg was charming. However, my pre-teens were bored with the Christmas markets after visiting 1 or 2, so definitely plan other activities.

[Anonymous]

For a completely different option:

My 20 year old and I spent a week in Southern Spain in December. The weather was perfection. Two nights in the city of Malaga and saw the castle, the two Christmas light shows, and just walked around. Four nights in El Chorro for hiking, horseback riding, walking the El Caminito Del Rey, and the Via Ferrata. One day in Granada to see El Alhambra. If you like nature and more active trips, this was a good one!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.

Beg to differ. Trier, Germany was amazing. I was there over 20 years ago for Christmas, and still think about it every Christmas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People want it to be like a Hallmark movie, but that rarely rings true.

Beg to differ. Trier, Germany was amazing. I was there over 20 years ago for Christmas, and still think about it every Christmas.

20 years ago it was very different and that experience is no longer relevant to today's experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Christmas markets in Germany were amazing! BUT you need to research which ones are the touristy ones and which are for crafts etc. I went to 6 Christmas markets in 1 city and they all had a different feel. The markets where you pay to get in were better and had local artisans. The other ones were more for people getting together in the evenings. I bought some really amazing German crafts. The food was great! Our family had such a great time that we will definitely go back.

Wow, 6 markets in one city? You must really like Christmas Markets! Did your entire family have fun though, even kids?

[Anonymous]

Lapland x 1000!!!!


https://www.kakslauttanen.fi/winter-safaris

It is magical! Book the log cabin/glass igloo that can hold up to 6 people (even though there are only 4). It has a mini kitchenette, a bathroom/shower, and a sauna. A nice table in front of the fireplace to play games, or have breakfast/lunch. Also, be sure to pack marshmallows and to purchase the firewood for your fireplace. They will come in and set it up for you the first night…it is divine.

Lots of amazing activities… snow mobiles, husky dog sleds, reindeer sleigh rides, etc. also, a ton of snow to play in and walk around in. We stayed 3-4 nights and it was perfect!

Get half board/full board. Also, we wanted a car (comes with metal spikes in the tires to grip the road) and it allowed us to stop at a grocery store on the way to the resort.

We have been fortunate ate enough to take a lot of great trips and this one is at the top of the list!!!!

Book the cabin and activities ASAP.

Also, the key to feeling good is dressing appropriately. We were there in February and were just fine. Invest in good wool underwear, good wool socks, good snow boots, neck gaiter, I.e. we also ordered hand and foot warmers for all (could pack in our checked bags note plane) and they made all the difference. Only night I was cold was when we went hunting the aurora borealis in a horse drawn sleigh….should have added more layers that night!

If you choose to do this trip….you will not regret it! It was amazing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For a completely different option:

My 20 year old and I spent a week in Southern Spain in December. The weather was perfection. Two nights in the city of Malaga and saw the castle, the two Christmas light shows, and just walked around. Four nights in El Chorro for hiking, horseback riding, walking the El Caminito Del Rey, and the Via Ferrata. One day in Granada to see El Alhambra. If you like nature and more active trips, this was a good one!

We did this one year. I recall walking around Seville at night with singing groups singing carols i'd never heard. We toured the Alhambra a couple of days before Christmas

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Christmas markets in Germany were amazing! BUT you need to research which ones are the touristy ones and which are for crafts etc. I went to 6 Christmas markets in 1 city and they all had a different feel. The markets where you pay to get in were better and had local artisans. The other ones were more for people getting together in the evenings. I bought some really amazing German crafts. The food was great! Our family had such a great time that we will definitely go back.

Wow, 6 markets in one city? You must really like Christmas Markets! Did your entire family have fun though, even kids?

The bigger and midsize cities and even towns have multiple markets. Many are close to each other, so you can walk from one to the next in 5-10 minutes. Often markets are set up right by museums and in historic squares so it's very easy to weave them into your sightseeing. It's true that each market has its own personality. Some are much more touristy, others are for locals meeting up for wine and not really much in the way of vendors. The main one in Vienna by the town hall is geared towards children with light shows and perhaps a bit tacky but a few minutes away you have multiple other markets that are smaller and more intimate and with interesting vendors. So there's something for everyone.

I mentioned going to Bamberg and there were at least three different markets we came across while exploring the city as a day trip. One that stood out was a little market run by the local diocese and its volunteers that was inside a courtyard off a square and had easily the best mulled wine, surprisingly good, and a few interesting local vendors, and superb sausages. It'd be easy to miss it if you didn't stumble on it, but it was part of the fun.