Winter wonderlands
Aileen Eglington looks at the best markets to visit for all the festive feels
If there is one thing we have learned during the pandemic, it’s that life is precious and every moment is to be celebrated. There is no greater occasion to paint the town red than Christmas, but where is the best place for channelling the festive feeling with ice rinks, pageants, delicious foods and glittering markets? The month of December sees towns all over Europe transformed into magical winter wonderlands.
And cities such as Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich are the perfect backdrop to embrace the redolent smells of spices from mulled wine, sizzling sausages, and roasted chestnuts.
Here, Aileen Eglington, a connoisseur of Christmas markets, shares advice for finding your perfect break this festive season. “It’s about enjoying the pleasure of being at a real Christmas market again,” she says.
Our central European neighbours really know how to do a Christmas market. And we are spoiled for choice with so many huge markets right around Germany, Austria, Switzerland and northern Italy. But before choosing your destination, do your homework and follow these top tips:
Book your flights early to avail of the best prices. Allow two to three nights to make the most of the trip, and get an early flight out and a late-night flight back if you can. Make the most of each day! If you like shopping – real shopping that is – pick a cosmopolitan city with fabulous boutiques such as Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt or Vienna. Enjoy a classical concert in places like Prague, Vienna, Budapest or Salzburg.
Pick a city with good connections to Dublin, Cork or Shannon. Munich is one of the best served for Ireland these days with a choice of flights from different airlines including Aer Lingus and Lufthansa.
If you have time to explore, take a train or hire a car to get to a new destination. My favourites – within a train ride of Munich airport – are Nuremberg, Heidelberg and the wonderful Rothenburg ob der Tauber where you can find Käthe Wohlfahrt, the biggest Christmas shop in the world. Bliss!
How about a river cruise taking in Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna? During this Christmas market time, check out Uniworld, Croisi (Cruisescapes) or Cassidy Travel for deals!
Talk to your local travel agent and compare online hotel booking sites for prices. And if we have learned anything from the recent past, it is the importance of having travel protection.
Finally, my biggest tip of all is to wear comfortable, warm shoes or boots with a wedge sole – this applies to both men and women! All those old towns are lined with cobble streets, but low temperatures too means warm clothes and footwear is essential.
Traditionally, most European markets begin around November 24th and stay open until December 24th, but this year some markets are starting early. With just weeks to go, here is our round-up of the best Christmas markets this festive season.
Prague
Enjoy the Christmas markets all around the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. And for a night with a difference, book a showstopping experience at the Black Light Theatre of Prague.
Budapest
It’s called the spa capital of Europe for a reason. And there is nothing nicer than being in the wonderful spa waters on a frosty starlit evening. This is an amazing experience that everyone should try at least once. Perhaps you’d prefer to go ice-skating or take a boat trip down the Danube? And why not check out Saint Nicholas’ daily arrival at Café Gerbeaud on Vorosmarty Square, where Budapest’s main Christmas market takes place.
Salzburg
For the ultimate family Christmas getaway, look no further. Ryanair are flying from Dublin to Salzburg before Christmas this year which is great news for travellers. So you can fly out on December 18th and return home on December 26th. What a wonderful way to end the year and you might even get a day’s skiing in, with a day trip to Flachau or Bad Gastein! The Sound of Music Tour is another magical way to spend a few hours before hitting the Salzburg Christmas markets all around the Old Town. Make sure to book dinner at the wonderful St Peter Stiftskulinarium, one of the oldest restaurants in Austria, dating back to the 11th century.
You can go ice-skating or even take a boat trip down the Danube
Get a hot chocolate in Café
Tomaselli, or treat yourself to Sachertorte [chocolate cake] at the Sacher Hotel – in fact, stay there! Further ideas include Red Bull Hangar-7, the Stiegl Brewery and the Salzburg Outlet Centre, near Salzburg Airport – all highly recommended.
Riva del garda
Situated on the northern shores of
Lake Garda, the picturesque Riva del Garda has wonderful markets every year. The Christmas and New Year festival in Riva is a big attraction and allows tourists to take in the surrounding villages such as Arco, at the foothills of Arco Castle, and the wonderful medieval village of Canale di Tenno which I just recently visited. You might even bump into Santa doing the rounds in Riva del Garda! The good news is Aer Lingus has started up flights to Verona again and Ryanair is flying into Bergamo.
Krakow
Enjoy buying wonderful Polish jewellery, wood carvings,and Bohemian glass at the Christmas market at Krakow’s main square. Running from November 24th to December 26th, Krakow really is a magical experience for all the family in winter.
Vienna
Vienna in my view is one of the best cities to visit in the run up to Christmas, with direct flights from Dublin with Aer Lingus. There are so many Christmas markets dotted around the city, and fantastic cosmopolitan shopping to boot!
For an added treat, take a tour of the Sissi Apartments or, if you are in luck, enjoy a concert by the Vienna Boys’ Choir! Vienna’s Christmas markets start this year on November 4th, and last right through Christmas and New Year until January 9th. This is an ideal opportunity to hit the shops and take in the sales.
Munich
For anyone planning a trip to Munich, I advise flying in early and coming back on a late flight. This allows even more time to shop and explore this wonderful German city. Munich is a superb getaway for the boys too with lots going on, including the Science Museum, BMW, Mercedes Benz, the largest men’s shop in the world called Hirmer and, of course, all those breweries! Conveniently located about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Munich airport is some of the region’s most beautiful ski resorts. If you fancy some time away from the slopes, take a night or two in Munich
to enjoy the Christmas markets.
Getting there couldn’t be easier with even more choice these days and flights from Aer Lingus and Lufthansa. It’s also makes a great city for a short break and there are lots of deals on www. booking.com, and all travel agents including Cassidy Travel. Tip: It is an easy train ride into the city centre from Munich airport – the train station is just below arrivals in Area Z.