Christmas Markets UK & Europe (2014) [Help me find some fab ones please!]

[ChippingInAutumnLover]

So, I am determined to find some good Christmas Markets this year! Please help me

Europe

We have a few days prior to Christmas (18th to the 21st) when I would like to go somewhere in Europe to a/some lovely Christmas Market/s.

Lots of pretty lights, mulled wine, atmosphere and preferably grapes in toffee (The ones in Bruges were A-May-Zing). I'm not looking for somewhere to 'shop' but a couple of nice decorations would be good (but definitely not a priority), I just want the atmosphere and to go somewhere new/different.

UK - I'd like to book up some weekends so we don't end up 'busy' & not able to fit them in!

I live in the SE & we'll be going to Winchester (flexible with this as we can either 'make a weekend of it' or just go for the day).

Happy to travel for the weekend as long as it's worth it

Where do you love/hate & why? Thank you x

Vienna!

It is an amazing city at any time of year but it is especially lovely in the run up to Christmas.

There are loads of markets which have different atmospheres e.g market in front of Schönbrunn Palace is such a gorgeous setting, Spittelberg market is quite quirky and cute down narrow winding side streets, Freyung in the old town is nice and traditional, the market in front of Karlskirche also lovely... Soooo many flavours of punsch and mulled wine wherever you go. The main market is the one in front of the town hall and gets very busy so I don't like it as much to actually try and shop in, but nice to go for a drink and a look.

I really recommend it if you want somewhere with nice lights, decoration and general wow factor. The Vienna architecture is so impressive anyway so when the city is dressed up for Christmas it just looks magical.

Me and dh went to munich last year for his 40th. It was lovely, nice atmosphere and in a couple of locations in the city it feels busy but not crowded in any way, bloody freezing though ???. Great Gluhwein and glubeir.lots of lovely things to look at.
For uk what about Manchester? Busy but good atmosphere over several locations in the city but easy to walk between them, we've also been to Birmingham but i didnt like that one felt too crowded and penned in.

I've been to the one in Prague, it was lovely (and absolutely freezing). I remember there was a little donkey there, I loved him/her! I bought DP back lots of those tooth breaker biscuits that are usually in the shape of hearts, but I got him a tankard shaped one, more his style! Prague is always going to look fabulous.

I've also been to the Salzburg one, I have to say I loved that. It is such a magical city. Ice rink, stalls, yummy coffee and cake places, and those shops with all the exquisitely painted eggs as decorations.

Either of those might have some good concerts on too. I haven't been to Cologne but have a friend who lived there and recommends it.

Solomon that sounds interesting!

Tsukuru I haven't been to Vienna for years either...those markets do sound lovely Definitely not bothered about shopping, if I see something I like that's a bit different, then great, but I'm certainly not going to be looking for presents - I intend to enjoy not stress!!

Munich

Munich

Under - likewise with Munich, lots of good memories but not been for ages.

temp - it's true, Prague is lovely, even without the Christmas stuff. Salzberg - again not for ages...

...I'm going to have to take the whole of December off work I feel

Easy Jet flights to Vienna are eye watering :(

Ooh, yes, Vienna would be wonderful. Also, not just going on rhyme here, honest, but Sienna could be amazing and a variation on the theme...

apologies for spelling error!

Lyon on the 8th of December for the Fete des Lumières. Breathtaking.

If you're doing Cologne from the South East I would think about Eurostar. We went to Brussels on Eurostar then switched to a train direct into Cologne city centre. By the time we factored in over an hour drive to the airport, checking in time, having to watch what we packed, then the trip from the airport to the centre of the city at the other end, it just seemed so much less hassle!

Just over ten minutes walk from the station at Cologne and we were in our apartment (we rented a sort of one bed open plan apartment which was ten minutes from the market. Meant we could eat out or get something to have in if we wanted. And the first morning we woke up to snow. Lovely!

Pink that looks amazing. Unfortunately due to the wedding I can't go this year, but I will look into it for next year!

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.fr/imgres?imgurl=www.lyon-france.com/var/ez_site/storage/images/media/images/vue-sur-fourviere-des-quais-de-saone-fete-des-lumieres/107503-1-fre-FR/Vue-sur-Fourviere-des-quais-de-Saone-Fete-des-Lumieres.jpg&imgrefurl=www.lyon-france.com/Agenda/Incontournables/La-Fete-des-Lumieres&h=853&w=1280&tbnid=rVkJxCQMchLzgM:&zoom=1&tbnh=120&tbnw=180&usg=__UiMBkiKEWSYNmKqzWCNBz_eGYNY=&docid=DlViXzUgfmgmQM&sa=X&ei=BeVoVIL4LPTLsAT37IGYAg&ved=0CCMQ9QEwAA&dur=1022" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here

Esmum I'll have a think about Eurostar for sure. It's just a bit easier to drive to one of the airports than to get to London early in the morning from here. If we go on the Euro star we'll need to book a hotel the night before as well.

oops no markets though (well not great)

Chipping, not sure if it's any help but we go from Ashford on Eurostar as we're in Kent.

No Pink no markets, but lots and lots of pretty lights Definitely in the reminder to look at in Sep next year! (Get time off, hotel booked etc) Thank you!!

Esmum funny you should say that, I was just thinking I could always drive to Ashford. It's quite a way from here, but it might not be any worse than getting back from either the airport or London. What's the parking like there?

Edinburgh one used to be good but last two years has been shite. So much so that we're not planning on going this year and we're only 30 miles away. Edinburgh itself is lovely but the Christmas market is overcrowded, overpriced and dull IMO

Just had a look - Ebbs & Ashford would both be horrible drives there and back, much easier to go from either Gatwick or Heathrow - or Eurostar from London. But thanks for the thought

dementedma oh, that's a shame Is there another one you might go to?

Google some pictures of the gendarme markt in Berlin - utterly gorgeous! I absolutely love Berlin at Christmas time, prague is also stunning and Munich and Hamburg have great markets.

I fancy Copenhagen- have heard good things, and I bet Kraków is nice at Christmas also, we were there in summer.

Berlin is my ultimate choice- they do Christmas properly over there.
In the uk, york is always lovely. Have fun

Parking is usually pretty good. There's an under cover one which is right next to the station or, the one we use, is a normal open air car park about five minutes from the station. DH tends to drop me and DS off with the bags then go and park the car just because a seven year old can't walk as fast as a strapping six footer!

You can pre book them so you're guaranteed a space. I think the one we use is about 6 for 24 hours and the under cover multi storey is double that. Again, DH usually picks up the car and comes and picks us and the bags up. Saves the work in dragging bags to the car.

I must admit Ashford is a lovely station and the Eurostar section is very nice with a couple of cafes and a bar plus a few little bits for toddlers to play with.

Vienna does look lovely - I will put that on the 'get organised' list for next year too - the flights are too expensive now.

Was going to say don't bother with Lincoln. Not impressed at all & you're herded like cattle. Stalls are ten people deep at times.