Christmas markets (abroad)

Xterminator

Anyone planning to go away to Christmas markets this year? There seems to be a fair bit of uncertainty around travel and covid etc.

myself and the wife are fully vaccinated and have the cert etc. Herself would like to visit a nice market this year. Thinking something like Berlin. Are we mad? is anyone else booking now?

miamee

We have loved going to a few Christmas markets as a weekend getaway in the past but OH is not interested in travel with all the testing and certs etc. even though we are both fully vaccinated and have our Covid certs. We might see closer to the time rather than booking now (if it was up to me, I probably would book now!)

I think the furthest we'll be going is to Belfast this year, their market is a nice one, closest to the real thing you'll get here

TRS30

I think we might do the same this year. We usually do a day trip to the outlets in Banbridge however thinking that over night in Belfast and take in the markets might be a nice change.

Posy

I'm thinking the same thing- Belfast is a nice middle ground without having to have PCR tests, show certs at airport security etc... Must check it out!

DvB

Belfast is a great spot anyway, I was in college up there so got to know it well back then & head up regularly ever since. The christmas market in Donegal Square (assume its still there!? or have they moved it??) is great though, last time I was there it was a real pure Christmas buzz. The few drinks afterwards didn't hurt either 😀

tscul32

We got to belfast every year with the kids for an overnight and a visit to the city hall market. Wasn't on last year unfortunately but we booked our hotel during the summer for this December, delighted to hear it's going ahead. We did have a notion of trying for a mainland Europe market but not worth the hassle this year. The belfast one is lovely though.

Smell the glove

Off to Belgium this December for a Christmas market. Our first time going to one abroad, can't wait.

Posy

Oh, sounds lovely, Smell the Glove. Make sure you take pics! 🎄

The Valkenburg Christmas Market in South Holland, down near Maastricht and beside the Belgian border is amazing- the market is in the caves under the town, so doesn't matter if it's raining/snowing/freezing! I went a few years ago and the whole place is gorgeous at Christmas. 🙂

Smell the glove

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117790033#Comment_117790033

Sounds unbelievable. I'll have to Google that now! Off to Gent ourselves, it looks lovely over there at Christmastime.

Posy

It's such a shame we can't do Christmas markets in this country! 😂

Del Boy

Highly recommend Prague for Xmas markets. Went couple of years ago. Very cheap city. Lots to see and do.

TRS30

Sounds like Belfast is good choice. I'll start looking into it. Anyone recommend any hotels?

Xterminator

i've booked cologne. i love the German take on the markets - the sights, the food and the atmosphere.

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117781295#Comment_117781295

No it is still there in the grounds of City Hall as far as I know. Unless they move to a more spaced out location but I can't see that happening.

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117790033#Comment_117790033

This sounds absolutely amazing Posy, I'll have to look it up. I know the cold and stopping for a Gluhwein or a Glug is all part of it but someof them can be bitterly cold...in a cave sounds perfect!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117791940#Comment_117791940

We spent one evening at the markets in Cologne the year we went to Dusseldorf, and they were stunning. Incredibly busy to the point we left early (on a train back to Dusseldorf) but you could see why it was so popular!

DvB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117792305#Comment_117792305

Agree. Its the perfect spot for it. Would be a shame if they had to move it elsewhere.

pigtail33

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117791940#Comment_117791940

I visited those a few years ago, and loved every minute! There are so many different markets dotted around the city. They all sell quite similar products, but all have a different feel about them. The main one, beside the Cathedral does quite very busy though. I'd love to go back.

Dazler97

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117782940#Comment_117782940

Will we not get run out as where from the South and most unionist live there

miamee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117793707#Comment_117793707

No of course not, that is a myth. I have been to Belfast many times over the past 15 years or more and never had an ounce of trouble or feeling I was going to be 'run out'.

Dazler97

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117793713#Comment_117793713

Good because I've already been attacked up here for being Irish it's awful

Posy

There is crime in Belfast, like any city, but if you're in the centre and don't wander into any area festooned with Union Jacks, you should be fine! I'm sorry you hear you had a bad experience before, it's certainly not the norm.

DvB

Lived up there for 3 years, most definitely not the norm at all. Use your common sense as Posy described and you'll be as safe as you would be in any city.

tscul32

I have never had an issue in Belfast and been visiting several times a year for a lot of years.

tscul32

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117791655#Comment_117791655

Personally, we go cheap and cheerful. Premier Inn all the way. Beds always super comfy, book room only and breakfast at the George's market if a weekend. Weve two rooms booked this year for the 5 of us, got a Friday night for £34 per room.

Posy

Oh, that's good value!

If you want fancy, I imagine the Europa would be your best bet. 😁

TRS30

Thanks guys will have a look.

Similar to others, have been going 'up north' for years (have family up there) and have never had any trouble anywhere.

Shirlywhirl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058204926/christmas-markets-abroad

We've booked Munich! Possibly a mad idea but we thought we'd chance it. Hotel is free cancellation and flights where fairly cheap if we do have to cancel. Really hope to go though, missed Christmas markets last year! Berlin markets are great, we were there two years ago. We also went to a thing called Christmas Garden Berlin, it was so nice. Lots of light installations and a mini market in a park. If you go this year you should see if that's on as well.

Loughc

Now this looks class.

Posy

I've been to Edinburgh at Christmas and it's just gorgeous!

I used to live in Scotland and went to Edinburgh every Christmas for the markets and atmosphere. It's wonderful. Highly recommended. You'll get cheap flights but accommodation can be dear enough.

frash

Giving this a bit of a bump

Considering going to Cologne

If anyone has been before, do they have any accomadation recommendations?

AirBnB pricey enough but with Mrs Frash + 4 kids I think it's the best option

Smell the glove

Ghent cost us €520 for 2 people. That's flights and 4 nights in Ghent. Not bad at all.

Happydays2020

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117988910#Comment_117988910

Great place.

I have stayed in a few different spots. Pullman, Ibis in the train station and the Marriott. The Ibis might be good value and is in a great location.

I really like the Pullman and is close to my favourite market (the Angel Market). The markets do get very busy on weekend nights.

https://www.cologne-tourism.com/see-experience/christmas/ this suggests there may be some ticketing this year at the markets.

Sheep Shagger

Seriously thinking about using up a days leave (we loose what we don't use by year end) for a random trip to Edinburgh to have a look around the markets and shops in general. With kids etc it's tricky for the two of us to go so might even do a day trip.

Can do a random midweek day for 50 euro return all in and the good thing about Edinburgh is it's compact and the tram between city centre and airport is cheap.

CheerLouth

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118072173#Comment_118072173

Do it! Then report back so me and Mr. CL can do it next year 😋

Posy

Edinburgh is fab, and lovely and Christmassy- and small enough to stroll around. It's lovely in the winter, and the Christmas market is pretty decent too. 🙂

Yeah, the tram between the airport and city centre is sooo handy. Last time I was there, I stayed in the airport hotel (which was really nice) and got the tram into the city in the day. It was so handy to check out and just walk across the road to the airport!!

Sheep Shagger

Sorry to resurrect a year old thread but there seems to be some late cheap ish availability in some parts of Europe for anyone who is able to act quickly.

https://irishflights.ie/2022/12/01/last-minute-weekend-flights-from-all-airports-on-the-island-of-ireland-to-christmas-market-destinations-from-e20-return/amp/

We're actually in Frankfurt this weekend and its great. The markets are hugh with both stalls with arty stuff and various food and drink options.

Frankfurt isn't the normal city break destination but for the Christmas markets I'd highly recommend if even for next year.

a2deden

Edinburgh has gone from oh they supposedly have a decent christmas village to the best city ive visited. Its christmas market is good, the city is the prettiest ive ever seen.

Loughc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119955276#Comment_119955276

I only seen a review on the Edinburgh markets and it and the city at Christmas time look AMAZING!!!!

a2deden

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119957953#Comment_119957953

I dont often recommend a city as people have different tastes, but all ive been doing since my visit has been telling everyone to go. Will probably go in summer 24 just to holiday in the city separate to christmas and do the highland stuff

Caranica

Be warned, the Edinburgh Christmas market is about half the size this year (if that). The original operator pulled out very recently. So it's much smaller and much more crowded. Queues to get in evenings and weekends. Not a patch on previous years. £7 for a lukewarm mulled wine

Posy

The last time I went to Edinburgh, it bucketed rain the entire time and totally ruined my trip. 😑

dartboardio

Debating Prague or Krakow for Christmas markets, never been to Prague so slightly leaning towards that one.. have spent a few months in Krakow before and loved it so kinda want something different

Ideally somewhere cheap for eating out/beer/ etc, i know Krakow is cheap as chips even still nowadays, a pint and a shot for the equivalent of a euro in some side street bars...

Happy to spend anywhere from 50-100 euros for a hotel per night

Sheep Shagger

Really want to book something lol

Starting to see a few deals popping up, when Ryanair add their December schedule to the website there should be more options too.

Xterminator

just booked Vienna. no special offers yet, but it will be our 1st 'big' market since covid.

Sheep Shagger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120558927#Comment_120558927

Nice, decent prices flights?

We did Frankfurt last year, thought about Paris bit heard their markets aren't great.

Will see if I can get cheap Ryanair flights once they release their schedule.

Sheep Shagger

Anyone booked a good deal yet, still waiting for flights to come down a bit / winter schedule to be added :(

Posy

I haven't even booked my summer holiday yet. 😂

Xterminator

think i paid through the nose for the flights. didn't get any deal at all. Hotel is sorted and reasonable with fantastic location.

Sheep Shagger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120798727#Comment_120798727

Where did you book for and how much do you mind me asking.

Can get Amsterdam for about €75pp return but hotels are mad money. Will keep looking as maybe the likes of Cassidy Travel etc might have some decent prices packages that are cheaper than DIY.

Xterminator

i paid aer lingus via website. they cancelled my original flight and we had to rebook flights and accommodation for new dates. the problem with booking early.