I know this is early but - Christmas markets in Europe - where is good?

[cleanandclothed]

I have been to Krakow, Prague and biefly to Vienna. Any other recommendations?

I've been to strasbourg, and it was quite good. Also, Moscow has AMAZING christmas stuff - but not a market, just in there everday tourist market - but have lovely wooden Christmas decorations and russian christmas santas (they call them Father Frost) and intricately carved Snow Maidens.

Valkenburg in Holland? Very atmospheric, held underground in caves.

Stockholm,just beautiful in December,dark and glittering.

Bruges

Avoid the Zurich one, essentially it is the railway station with a load of tut on sale. There is a rather gorgeous Swarzowski (sp) crystal christmas tree though.

There's a nice one in Leeds but that's probably not the type of destination you're looking for

We've been to the markets in Salzburg which were lovely.

I hear Cologne is very good too! I have not been at Christmas time but my friend lived there and thought it was excellent - hmmmm mulled wine :)

Cologne is wonderful. Lots of them, including a Medieval one on certain nights of the week. Absolutely amazing... we used to live there and I'm desperate to go back if only for the Christmas markets.

Hope you don't mind me asking here, but as there seems to be quite a lot of people that's been around: What is the earliest time these usually start? Mind you, I don't fancy one in August, of course, but could do with an earlier one this year, as ds gets a bit worked up with crowds lately. He's only 2.5, so I think it gets a bit much if too full.

Thanks so much for the ideas! Not been the Leeds - have been to the York one which is good. Am tending towards Cologne because I haven't been there at all. Need to start saving!

MisSal - a lot start towards end of Nov.

We've just booked to go to Arras the last weekend in Nov. Not the best market but we have friends nearby so combine the two. If doing on a budget Ibis hotels very good.

Great, thanks orienteerer.

The Leeds one near the LGI i a German Market and usually have nice stuff there. Think it usually starts around middle/end November actually link here

I went on a 3 day trip to Brussels and Bruges Christmas Markets with Newmarket Coach Trips last year, ( via Ferry) at the beginning of December.It was very well organised, with a lovely rep.We were picked up in our local town. The hotel was good, and they dropped us in the centre of Brussels for a full day. There was a lovely sound and light show in the main square in the evening.We had a few hours in Bruges in the morning on the way home.We thought the trip was excellent value for money.