Christmas Markets **General/Annual Bumper Thread**

Am thinking of heading to see the Christmas Markets this year, thought about it for a few years. At the moment, looking like Berlin or Munich, was wondering if anyone had any experience of either or both, or even anywhere else to consider.

Flights seem dear enough for that time, due to the markets i suppose. Its around the €180 at the moment.

Was in Budapest a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the markets. At almost every corner someone was selling mulled wine, lots of tasty treats and some good handcrafted gifts. They also have a huge indoor market, cant recall the name but they sold everything there from little gifts to huge butcher counters.

I agree that Cologne is a great recommendation. My wife and I visited last year. Flew into Dusseldorf which is an interesting enough city if you have a few hours to spend on the way home.

We also took a train to Bonn to see their markets and that is also a lovely though smaller city. Cologne had numerous markets spread throughout the city, each a little bit different. The city makes for a very enjoyable long weekend.

If you have not visited Munich or Berlin before I suggest save those for another trip where you can enjoy those cities without the Christmas crowds.

This website is very useful to compare Christmas Markets across Europe and come up with ideas. Plenty to consider:
http://www.christmasmarkets.com/Germany/cologne-christmas-market.html

Totally agree with Tonadoni - loved Tollwood and there was a lovely trendy market in Schwabing also. Was deep snow there when we went so make sure to bring appropriate footwear and clothing.

We fly to Memmingen with Ryan air when we go to Munich, and despite the gasping from the anti Ryanair brigade, we have managed to get really excellent fares. Memmingen is 73 miles away from Munich. You can get the train down to Munich in 1 hr 20 mins at a cost of €29 for up to 5 people, or you can get a bus right outside the door for €18.00 one way each - straight drive down the motorway.

Does any one know of any Christmas markets that stay open over the Christmas period? Prague does but we've been there a few times so looking for somewhere else. We're looking for someone like Prague that doesn't close restaurants and bars on the 25th/26th.

donadoni wrote: »

I wasn't aware of that connection to Memmingen at all. Is that a direct flight from Ireland? Thanks for the hint. I have to look into that.

I know that market in Schwabing you're talking about very well.

Yeap, we liked it, not so kitsch'y!

Yea, Ryanair fly to Memmingen for a few years now. It is called Munich West in brackets as it is the 76 miles up the road, but in Germany with such excellent public transport and motorways, that is a hop, skip and a jump. People go off on one when they read the Munich West bit, but I research before I travel which usually helps eliminate surprises! The airport itself is an ex army base. You land, your bags are on the conveyor belt before you get there, and you are unterwegs with no messing about. and at a damn good price.

I started a thread last year asking the very same question. Got some decent feedback on Vienna & Saltzburg.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81458625

If you do a search for Christmas Markets, you may turn up some other threads.

We wound up going to to Bruges last December 2-5. The quality of the stalls wasn't great, and there wasn't that many of them, but the beauty of the city itself more than made up for it. The weather was crap. It was bitterly cold with that horrible sleety rain, that is miserable to be out of doors in, no matter how many glasses of mulled wine you have. It was much more fun to explore all the indoor chocolate shops and cafes.

The outdoors ice skating rink in the town square was lovely, but other than that, there wasn't much of a Christmassy vibe to the place. Was told that if we were there after Dec 6 (the feast of St Nick) the atmosphere would have been better.

We flew into Brussels/Charleroi on Ryanair for about 40 quid a head. It's not the main Brussels airport. Aer Lingus wanted 130 each to fly into that one. From Charleroi, you take a shuttle bus into Brussels for 22.50 a head. It takes about 50 minutes, which is about twice as long as it takes to get to Brussels central if you fly into the main airport. We were happy to do so for such a good saving. From Brussels, there are trains that depart every half hour for Bruges. The journey takes about an hour.

Never been to Prague, but I had an afternoon to kill in Brussels last December, so I spent some time at the Xmas market. I saw all it had to offer in under an hour. Most of the stalls were food & drink related. Other than some nice candles, I didn't see anything worth buying. Mind you, it was lashing rain and freezing cold, so I wasn't in the mood to linger much. It was nice to have the market there to kill some time, but I certainly wouldn't have made a special trip from Ireland just to experience it.

Bruges is much better imo. It's Xmas market isn't much bigger than Brussels, but with its gorgeous old buildings, canals, town square with the ice skating rink, bell tower and chocolate shops etc etc, it is much more atmospheric imo.

You might get good idea if you look and search in the Christmas forum. Here is the Link

OP,

I've been to both twice at Christmas time (approximately the week before Christmas).

In my opinion Prague wins hands down. Don't get me wrong I like Brussels, but I find that Prague at Christmas is really truly wonderful.

They have little wooden shacks everywhere selling their special Christmas Bread (sweet) and their style of mulled wine (stupidly can't remember the name of either). They have loads of stalls and shacks selling Christmas related things and Old town Square, in particular is so beautiful. I was there one year for the turning on of the Christmas lights which was a pretty big celebration.

They usually have carol singers/concerts in the square every few days as well.

I'd definitely recommend Prague.

Slipshaney wrote: »

Thats brilliant - thanks for the detailed feedback

We are looking to stay in Prague (if we go) for around a week - is this too long?

It depends what you want to do to be honest.

It's not too short anyway. 5 days in my view is optimum but as I say that depends what you are planning.

Christmas Markets and general shopping 1.5 days.
A day exploring the outskirts of the city including the Castle (also has toy museum)
A day general walking and visiting Charles' Bridge
Old town square and astronomical clock (can probably combine this with the Christmas Markets

Other general sightseeing - Museums, Cathedrals (St. Nicholas' in particular), the powder tower.

There's a lot to see and if you travel by foot rather than metro you can take in a lot more of the city (I only ever travelled by foot)

In my opinion, there's more to see in the city itself than there is in Brussels. With Brussels however, you can do a bit of travel out of the city (such as the train to Bruges) to see additional stuff.

It really depends how much you want to move around and the type of holiday you want. I generally build in a day of relaxation into my holidays to just potter around without rushing from one attraction to the next.

Price wise, there probably isn't a huge difference these days. I first went to Prague 10 years ago and it was dirt cheap, I mean you couldn't spend your money in it. It was mad. I was back there two years ago and prices have very much gone up in the main thoroughfares but if you do some walking and go to restaurants and pubs off the beaten track then there's still great value. If you do go, there's a lovely Mexican just off Wencelas Square - (across from a Sex Show (don't ask)) that is very very cheap and has lovely food (I can't think of the name but it's not hard to find).

Brussels is more or less the same price as here, but you can get bargains if you look around. places like Celtica (bar) do special drinks promos (€2 a beer) up to midnight etc...

You can't go too far wrong with either city if I am honest, but If it was a choice, particularly for Christmas, I'd be going with Prague myself.

Slipshaney wrote: »

Fair play - thats a load of great info - I think you have made up my mind. thanks so much for the help

no problem at all. Enjoy your holiday... wherever you go. That's the main thing

ProudDUB wrote: »

What would the weather be like in Prague at Xmas? Would it be guaranteed to be snowy & a lot colder than here, or is it harder to predict? Last Xmas in Belgium, it was pretty miserable to be out of doors, which spoiled the trip a bit.

It's very cold. The first time I was there there was lots of snow. The second time unfortunately it was just wet. I think weather is more and more unpredictable these days but there's always a good chance of snow around that time I suppose.

I'm looking into a Christmas market trip myself the first week in Dec, Munich sounds great! heard good stuff about Prague too.. Anywhere else people recommend? must book something soon