Calendar best Christmas markets of Europe

 





In Europe began the Christmas markets, and in some capitals, this winter tale will last until the beginning of January. So what to choose, where to go shopping for Christmas gifts!





The Gendarmenmarkt square in Berlin during the Christmas holidays

Germany
Time:
Cologne — 24 Nov–23 Dec
Nuremberg — November 28–December 24
Dresden — 27 Nov–24 Dec
Munich — 27 Nov–24 Dec
Berlin — November 24–December 31
Frankfurt 26 November–22 December

It is believed that "the most" Christmas fairs take place in Germany, because of the medieval traditions of that country the custom to hold new year's and Christmas markets have spread throughout Europe. If you go to Germany just before Christmas, you can visit the fairs in Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Dresden and Berlin. And believe me, each of them will have their own peculiarities. For example, in Nuremberg, you can buy Europe's best Christmas toys, unique technology of their manufacture jealously guarded by local craftsmen. And guests Christmas Dresden waiting for the annual fruit cake Stollen festival, which takes place the second Sunday of December, and the election of the gingerbread Princess.

Well, the main Christmas fair is held in the capital of Germany — Berlin on the Gendarmenmarkt. Here are hundreds of shops with traditional German food and handmade toys. And if it so happens that during the walk you will catch the rain in November in the city is not uncommon, it is possible to hide in a three-story store Christmas decorations Käthe Wohlfahrt. Surrounded by thousands of Christmas balls, Christmas squirrels and bears it's hard not to believe in Christmas miracle. By the way, the sale of the German stores begin around the same time.





Christmas decorations, hand-painted, sell at the Christmas fair in Vienna

Austria
Time:
Vienna — 15 Nov–26 Dec
Salzburg 20 Nov–26 Dec
Innsbruck — 1 Dec–31 Dec

The main Christmas market of Vienna takes place on the square in front of city hall. Here set a huge Christmas tree and trees decorated with lanterns in the form of red hearts. In early December in the capital of Austria is light frost and snow, but the festive mood that's for sure you won't. In the frosty air smells like Apple cider with rum punch and roasted chestnuts, and if you get tired of walking around the city on foot, you can use a vintage horse-drawn wagon that will add flavor to your amazing trip.

On the square of Maria Theresa is lots of stalls with Christmas sweets – candies, cakes and traditional biscuits in the shape of crescents – Vanillekpferl. And if you walk further on a small square between the two twins Art and history museums of Vienna, you will see benches of craftsmen where you can buy Christmas gifts: tableware hand-blown glass, miniature wooden cradles and scented candles.





The Strasbourg Christmas fair takes place at the walls of the Cathedral

France
Time:
Strasbourg — 28 Nov–31 Dec
Paris — November 15–January 6

Surprisingly, but the main Christmas celebration takes place in France, not in Paris, and in the historical capital of Alsace, Strasbourg. Due to its location next to Germany, Christmas is celebrated with the German scale. In addition, among the French there is a version that Strasbourg became the birthplace of the first Christmas tree (the French call it the "Christmas tree").

On the square near the Cathedral, settled about three hundred food stalls where you can buy clay pots with duck and goose foie Gras, deer stew, tarte-flambe (Alsatian traditional pie stuffed with cheese, onions and bacon), roasted chestnuts, curly carrots and a lot of Goodies. Drink all the infusions on a cherry pit or quince.





Christmas fair at the natural history Museum in London

UK
Time:
London — 17 Nov–24 Dec
Edinburgh — 21 November–4 January
Glasgow — 14 November–21 December

At Christmas time the famous Hyde Park (Hyde Park) from the place of rest of the townspeople and holding high-profile rallies turns into a magical story called "Winter Wonderland" (Winter Wonderland). The opening of the ice rink, which has no equal in the UK, it is generously illuminated by thousands of lights that create a starry sky effect above the heads of tourists, and bears the proud title of the "Ice age". Yes, and the whole of London decorated with lights, and it is best to look at this beauty from the height of the giant Ferris wheel – the London Eye. But you know, if you came to London to celebrate Christmas, you will see an empty city. Shops and restaurants are closed, museums are closed, in the street, no cars, no people. The city placed at the disposal of bored tourists, who are not invited to family dinner with Turkey.

 





The main square during the Christmas market in Brussels

Belgium

Time:

Brussels — November 28–January 4
Bruges — November 21–January 2

If you consider yourself a gourmet, a connoisseur of Haute cuisine or just like to eat, then Christmas markets in Brussels and his fellow Bruges is for you. Without the famous Belgian chocolate here, of course, has not done. In addition, traditional waffles, fresh oysters, snails, baked according to old recipes meat and gingerbread of various shapes and colors. To wash down all this is a juniper tincture or a strong local beer, varieties of which – a few hundred. But not only gourmets can please Belgium. In stores starts a boom of discounts, and you can often find sales that are still fresh collections of clothing and accessories.

 





Christmas tree imported directly from the krkonoše mountains in Northern Bohemia

Czech Republic
Time:
Prague, 29 November–1 January
Plzen — 27 Nov–23 Dec

 

Holiday fair in Prague – the first in the category "best Christmas tree". Set the forest beauty on the famous old town square and around it turns a "dance" of stalls with Christmas gifts, wooden toys, hot sausages, veprevo knee on a spit and with a special strudel with raisins and nuts that is cooked only for Christmas. Celebrations are taking place in other areas of the city, near the old town square is Wenceslas square — here in the light of the trees, decorated with lanterns, there are small stalls with warming drinks – it's nice to pour a glass of punch, Mead, hot tea or mulled wine and to go to Tynska Cathedral.

Source: domashniy.ru/