Christmas Markets General/Annual Bumper Thread

ProudDUB · 17-09-2014 1:36pm

The topic of Xmas markets comes up a lot this time of year. Use the search tab & you should be able to dig up the posts about them for the past couple of years.

kerry4sam · 17-09-2014 5:00pm

ProudDUB wrote: »

The topic of Xmas markets comes up a lot this time of year. Use the search tab & you should be able to dig up the posts about them for the past couple of years.

Some Christmas Markets threads have been merged by me.

Thanks,
kerry4sam

yourdeadwright · 16-10-2014 4:01pm

hey folks
Just wondeirng where is the best place to go in Europe for the Chritams markets like you see in the squares in Germany and Prague ,
HAs anyone been to any they would recommend, somewhere maybe Ryanair fly cheap ,

Thanks

Schalker · 17-10-2014 7:06am

The most famous Christmas market is the "Christkindlesmarkt" in Nuremberg.
christkindlesmarkt.de/en/
I ve been there when I study in Erlangen nearby.

But will find a christmas market in almost every German city.

Like "Striezelmarkt" in Dresden
dresden.de/dig/en/veranstaltungen/weihnachtszeit/striezelmarkt.php

It says You cannot post with images, URLs or attachments because you are a new user.

So you have to add http and www yourself

Schalker · 17-10-2014 7:10am

The most famous Christmas market is the "Christkindlesmarkt" in Nuremberg.
christkindlesmarkt.de/en/
I ve been there when I study in Erlangen nearby.

But will find a christmas market in almost every German city.

Like "Striezelmarkt" in Dresden
dresden.de/dig/en/veranstaltungen/weihnachtszeit/striezelmarkt.php

It says You cannot post with images, URLs or attachments because you are a new user.

So you have to add http and www yourself

btw Ryanair flys to Nuremberg from Stansted

Dresden via Leipzig Halle 1hrs drive from Dresden or 1 hrs train ride when they are not on strike

Moanin · 17-10-2014 10:28am

yourdeadwright wrote: »

hey folks
Just wondeirng where is the best place to go in Europe for the Chritams markets like you see in the squares in Germany and Prague ,
HAs anyone been to any they would recommend, somewhere maybe Ryanair fly cheap ,

Thanks

Basically every German town and city will have one. I think Ryanair fly to Bremen. I've been to it and it's pretty good. I find the smaller the city the better the atmosphere. I was in Berlin last year and found it too big. There were lots of different markets and all were good but the atmosphere wasn't the same. That's just my opinion...

yourdeadwright · 17-10-2014 10:50am

Hye folks
Storngly thinking off going to Bruges early December for Christmas market and atmosphere can anyone recommend a nice hotel that won't break the bank ,

mel.b · 17-10-2014 11:25am

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Hye folks
Storngly thinking off going to Bruges early December for Christmas market and atmosphere can anyone recommend a nice hotel that won't break the bank ,

We've stayed in a gorgeous B&b called 1669 i think, although it might be a bit pricey. Otherwise i've stayed in Hotel t'zand and that was fine.

This year i'm hitting up Xmas markets in Cologne, Heidelburg, Strasbourg and Colmar in a little mini Christmas fix

I'll report back when done. Have previously been to Nuremburg, Budapest, Bruges/Ghent/Brussels, Vienna & Salzburg.

cleanslate · 17-10-2014 11:30am

went to Prague with Click and Go last year and booked Berlin this year, looking forward to it!! Aer Lingus flights too

The prices are brilliant if you can go midweek and they tell you which date is the cheapest so they don't just try to sell you the dearest date.
I recently found out though that Rome have a great Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, have never been to Rome but my friend has and says that it is a beautiful area in Rome.

yourdeadwright · 17-10-2014 12:20pm

mel.b wrote: »

We've stayed in a gorgeous B&b called 1669 i think, although it might be a bit pricey. Otherwise i've stayed in Hotel t'zand and that was fine.

This year i'm hitting up Xmas markets in Cologne, Heidelburg, Strasbourg and Colmar in a little mini Christmas fix I'll report back when done. Have previously been to Nuremburg, Budapest, Bruges/Ghent/Brussels, Vienna & Salzburg.

Which would be your fav for a romantic Christmas get away ,

mel.b · 17-10-2014 12:39pm

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Which would be your fav for a romantic Christmas get away ,

I love Bruges, although I'd probably steer away from weekends if you can. The market is pretty small though. The buildings, everything all lit up etc is just gorgeous. Strasbourg was also great - really liked the market there.

ProudDUB · 17-10-2014 1:16pm

yourdeadwright wrote: »

Hye folks
Storngly thinking off going to Bruges early December for Christmas market and atmosphere can anyone recommend a nice hotel that won't break the bank ,

How early are you going? A couple of years ago, I was there from Dec 2-4. There wasn't a ton of Xmas market stuff to see/do. There were a few stalls around the main square & a bigger cluster around another square about a 10 minute walk away. (Sorry, don't remember the name of it.) But you could see all that they had to offer in about 20 minutes. So it was a bit of a let down in terms of 'doing' the Christmas market. I was told that if I was there a week later (after the feast of St Nicholas) there would have been more Xmassy stuff to see/do.

The ice rink in the main square, the bell tower, the beautiful old buildings, the canal walks & the chocolate shops were all great though. I didn't get to do the tour of the canal (which is the best way to see Bruges) as the boats don't run in the winter. Was v disappointed at that. Wasn't impressed with the hotel I stayed at, so can't offer up any recommendations. Don't be afraid to stay somewhere a bit further out from the main square, if you get a good deal. There is a decent local bus service & taxi drivers are plentiful. It also struck me a very well heeled town. Our hotel was about a 10 minute walk away from the centre of town and we didn't feel at all nervous walking back to it in the dark, in the evenings.

peteroregan · 17-10-2014 1:18pm

Has anyone been to the Christmas Market in Trieste?
I was there with work at the start of December last year and all the timber huts were being set up around the canal area but it was only opening two days after we left.
It was a beautiful city otherwise.

ScottSF · 18-10-2014 5:03pm

One idea if you want to combine Christmas Markets with New Year's Eve celebration is Vienna.

The markets run until the New Year plus the decorative holiday lights going down many of the pedestrianized streets are spectacular. For New Year's Eve there are several music stages around the city centre to go between and enjoy the atmosphere.

Ohm13 · 28-10-2014 2:10am

Hey

Anyone know any decent places to visit during December, looking to head out for 3/4 days with the misses, not so much to shop, more so the christmas atmosphere and just to spend quality time together. Was thinking Strasbourg anyone know some good hotels to stay at within walking distance of the European quater and would Basel be a better airport to fly into?

Basically looking for somewhere a bit magical with nice scenery food and of course hot mulled wine!!!

All recommendations greatly recieved

Cheers all

ProudDUB · 28-10-2014 2:14am

Bruges. End of discussion.

There is load of info on it here. Do a search for Bruges or Christmas markets & you'll find lots of good stuff.

Galadriel · 28-10-2014 10:15am

I LOVE Prague at Christmas time, it's like Christmas in a snow globe!

keithclancy · 28-10-2014 10:35am

Dusseldorf - DE
Cologne - DE
Aachen - DE
Munich - DE
Valkenburg - NL
Maastricht - NL
Antwerp - BE
Bruges - BE (Already mentioned)

Any of those will have a christmassy feel

Yamanoto · 28-10-2014 12:28pm

Anyone been to Lübeck?

Certainly looks pretty appealing & wonder if it's worth a weekend visit.

Moanin · 28-10-2014 9:16pm

Yamanoto wrote: »

Anyone been to Lübeck?

Certainly looks pretty appealing & wonder if it's worth a weekend visit.

Yes I was there a good few years ago when Ryanair used to fly there. There were 2 markets there if I can remember correctly. They were very small but good.

Zulu · 29-10-2014 9:11am

ProudDUB wrote: »

Bruges. End of discussion.

There is load of info on it here. Do a search for Bruges or Christmas markets & you'll find lots of good stuff.

Sorry but: No. Bruges while nice isn't 'spectacular'. The market in the main square has maybe 12 - 15 stalls all selling the same tat you get in the IFSC. In fact, if bruges wasn't such a beautiful town the IFSC markets would be better.

It's nice, but it's not a topic closer.

Also, it's worth noting for younger families, the town isn't particularly buggy friendly - it's not their fault, it's a medieval town, but you'll be restricted.

(went last year)

keithclancy · 29-10-2014 1:50pm

Zulu wrote: »

Sorry but: No. Bruges while nice isn't 'spectacular'. The market in the main square has maybe 12 - 15 stalls all selling the same tat you get in the IFSC. In fact, if bruges wasn't such a beautiful town the IFSC markets would be better.

It's nice, but it's not a topic closer.

Also, it's worth noting for younger families, the town isn't particularly buggy friendly - it's not their fault, it's a medieval town, but you'll be restricted.

(went last year)

Also if you go with a car, parking is a fooking nightmare.
All the tight assed dutch people park outside the city and then cycle in

ProudDUB · 29-10-2014 10:24pm

Zulu wrote: »

Sorry but: No. Bruges while nice isn't 'spectacular'. The market in the main square has maybe 12 - 15 stalls all selling the same tat you get in the IFSC. In fact, if bruges wasn't such a beautiful town the IFSC markets would be better.

It's nice, but it's not a topic closer.

I acknowledged in a post on this very page, that the Xmas market stalls in Bruges were far from spectacular, when I was there. I said that the city itself...the lovely old buildings, the chocolate shops, the canals etc etc were the main attraction & not the Xmas market.

The poster that I was responding to, did not ask about Xmas markets. They said that they were not all that into shopping. They wanted somewhere that was "a bit magical" and had "atmosphere". Bruges more than fits the bill in those two categories imo.

Indestructable · 31-10-2014 6:34pm

Went to Prague last year and it was really beautiful. It's a gorgeous city and compact enough to walk around in. Nice and cheap too! Last year there was a light snow falling and a few inches on the ground, made it truly magical!

This year we are off to Budapest, hoping for something similar!!

whiskeyman · 02-11-2014 11:30am

Regensburg and Nuremberg are fantastic.
Regensburg has such a lovely old town, it probably pips it.

I'd love to go to Rothenberg, but it's a bit of a treak to get there.
anyone been there for its Christmas market? I would think it's small enough, but the town is just magical.

Schalker · 02-11-2014 11:34am

Never been at Rothenburg ob der Tauber for Christmas Market but you can get good info about it on their Cítywebsite

tourismus.rothenburg.de/index.php?id=677

miamee · 03-11-2014 3:27pm

Going to be checking out the ones in Bratislava and Vienna at the end of November so I'll let ye all know how that goes for next year

diarmuid05 · 04-11-2014 10:18am

Anyone been to Wroclaw? Heading over beginning of December.

LoganRice · 04-11-2014 7:08pm

the christmas market in munich sounds fabulous

Stojkovic · 04-11-2014 11:50pm

Indestructable wrote: »

This year we are off to Budapest, hoping for something similar!!

Was there Dec 2012.
Minus 5 and snowy.
Nothing like an sitting in an outdoor spa in minus 5.

In Exile · 05-11-2014 12:38am

Hi all,

Have a question regarding the weather being forecast.

I'm in Australia but am home for Christmas and looking to do DUB to either Berlin or Hamburg for a couple of days.

If the weather is as bad as forecast, what are Dublin and the German airports like in dealing with the weather?

I'm only looking at a Monday to Wednesday trip, so any long delays nearly make it pointless.

Schalker · 05-11-2014 11:25am

diarmuid05 wrote: »

Anyone been to Wroclaw? Heading over beginning of December.

Not after 1945

mcw100 · 05-11-2014 10:34pm

Hi there, anyone know of any escorted Christmas market tours ex Shannon. Thanks

_DMac_ · 11-11-2014 9:55pm

Hi folks. I booked a little trip to Budapest for the end of November but just found out today that the official Xmas markets are opening the day we are leaving. Will there be any other smaller Xmas markets that will be running in Budapest at this time or is it only the main 2 that run through December?

Any info greatly appreciated.

munchkin_utd · 12-11-2014 9:35am

mcw100 wrote: »

Hi there, anyone know of any escorted Christmas market tours ex Shannon. Thanks

why?
What escorting does one need to go to a town square and wander about stalls selling nic nacks, mulled wine and Würst?

ProudDUB · 12-11-2014 8:54pm

munchkin_utd wrote: »

why?
What escorting does one need to go to a town square and wander about stalls selling nic nacks, mulled wine and Würst?

Sometimes it can be a good to have someone along, who knows the ropes, speaks the language, knows the culture, knows the best restaurants/bars, what shops/stalls have the best deals, which shops/stalls should be avoided, the best things to do, once the market has been covered etc etc. You can read all the guide books and message boards out there, but sometimes it can be good to have someone on the ground with you, if you want to get decent bang for your buck, or squeeze the really worthwhile stuff into just a couple of days.

rustyzip · 01-12-2014 3:12pm

Thinking about going to Budapest before Christmas for a few days..
Bit dubious as I've seen a god few posts saying how unfriendly Budapest peeps are and scammers and what not..

I always thought Budapest looks pretty and it's cheap so I still want to go.

Any suggestions/thoughts, hidden spots appreciated

schemingbohemia · 01-12-2014 3:42pm

I was in Budapest last December and loved it, people were really nice and there's loads to do there. Check out the ruin bars for something a little different (they're a bit like pop-up bars, cool vibes).

DoYouEvenLift · 01-12-2014 3:48pm

One of the best cities I've been to in Europe, was there last October. Was more of a drinking holiday but I still know it's a city worth visiting for the usual tourist reasons. Gonna go back there and thean head to Krakow sometime.

Lapin · 01-12-2014 4:13pm

I didn't find the locals rude there, more blunt and to the point really. Small talk isn't their thing.

But they are mannerly.

I wasn't there at Christmas but I'd be gone like a shot if I had the chance. Great city.

Yamanoto · 01-12-2014 5:59pm

Was lucky enough to get to Budapest & Prague over the last month and found both cities lively and really captivating spots.

Only had time to scratch the surface, but will definitely be making a return visit.

I wouldn't be put off by naysayers at all OP - go for it

edeldonlon · 01-12-2014 6:03pm

Just back this weekend and had a fab time. Would go back tomorrow. Hotel was fab and so were the restaurants. No problems with the locals everybody was very helpful. The christmas markets are lovely.

grimm2005 · 03-12-2014 1:42am

Just to echo what everyone else has said about Budapest: was there last weekend for a few days and loved it, my second time there. Very cheap, some really great pubs and clubs and plenty to do. I will say that the Hungarians aren't the friendliest of folks in my experience and are pretty rude but this seems to be more in the service industry I found. There was one in my hostel who was grand and another who did a walking tour, also grand. If the naysayers are complaining purely because of this then they must be sensitive souls. One of my favourite cities in Europe. Feel free to PM me if you want specific recommendations!

mel.b · 06-12-2014 7:34am

Getting ready yo move o from Cologne and would highly recommend the markets - lots of lovely, crafty things to buy, it's not just all Christmas decorations. And so much food - i wish i spoke German so i could work out what half of it was. I visited 5 of the markets - the only one i didn't get to is in the Belgium Quarter.

I stayed in a great hostel near Rudolfplatz called Die Wohles....something (sorry will look it up later) Highly recommended.

While the markets were beautiful, other than that i didn't get a really Christmassey vibe from the city. One the main Shopping street there were a few extra lights up and the one that connects that to the Dom (hohe strabe) didn't have any lights or decorations up.unless you like Shopping it's probably not somewhere i'd head for a city break either.

I'm going to rank it a close second behind Salzburg - markets here just as good or even better but Salzburg has more atmosphere.

Now onto Heidelburg.

zagmund · 06-12-2014 2:39pm

We went to Berlin last weekend. To be perfectly honest, the markets we went to were mediocre on the craft front. We went to Alexanderplatz (the pile 'em high approach) and Gendarmenmarkt (the classier end of things - you have to pay €1 to get in).

Mrs Zag (who knows more about such things) felt that the level of craftsmanship was lower than you would get in Ireland. Having said that, we can now move on to what appears to be the actual reason for Christmas markets - food & drink. Both markets were well supplied with all sorts of hot food stalls as well as a couple of bars selling mulled wine as well as the usual sort of bar stuff. It made for a pleasant eating und drinking sort of experience for sure.

Most of the stands in both locations looked to be cloned from each other. There was the laser wood cut stand, the furry hat stand, the bauble stand, etc . . . which seemed t be getting most of their stuff out of boxes with Chinese writing. There were definitely a good few individual stands where people were actually selling their own crafts, but they appeared to be in the minority.

Someone asked a few pages back about escorted tours to the markets - we saw a couple of those and to be honest they didn't look like much fun. Apart from anything else, it involved groups of 20, 30, 40 people stomping en-masse through already crowded markets, but without having any time to stop and look at the shops. They got in the way of people trying to walk slowly around, and they just seemed to storm past the stands.

z

mel.b · 06-12-2014 8:31pm

Having a rest here now in Heidelburg. It's about 2hrs by train from Cologne. It's much more picturesque than Cologne with a lovely loooooong Aldstat amd the ruins of a castle overlooking the city. There's also a funicular you can get up to the castle (and further if you want, worth it to catch the old car that seems to go up an almost vertical slope). There are a few small markets scattered along the Aldstat and one up at the castle. Mostly food and drink, but a few jewellery, candles, xmas decorations, wooden things and some other bits and pieces. The Aldstat has christmas lifhts all the way along it and the smaller streets that run off it also have lights or decorations up so it just feels more festive. Shops seem to open to at least 8pm on the Sat evening which is nice. Really big crowds out too, although i've decided that the locals come out everynight to stand around, chat and drink mulled wine

Sounds alright to me!

Staying at Lotte hostel just next to the funicular station in the Aldstat and it seems fine.

Tomorrow onto Starsboug & Colmar.

mel.b · 07-12-2014 5:35pm

Arrived in Starsbourg about an hour ago after spending the day in Colmar. Colmar is a beautiful town, similiar to Rothenburg o.d.Tauber and the old part of Annecy, but much bigger. The Christmas markets were spread around the city, but they are nothing special - the same food and drink, christmas decorations etc. what makes Colmar pretty is the buildings and the amount of Christmas lights and decorations - they are everywhere. Everywhere i turned i wanted to take another photo.

Strasbourg seems to be on another planet with regards to lights and decorations though - simply stunning and can't wait to get out and explore.

mel.b · 08-12-2014 10:47pm

So after my mini Christmas market tour of Cologne, Heidelburg, Colmar and Strasbourg i've come to the conclusion if you've seen a market with 30 stalls, you've seen a market with 130 stalls. They are all pretty much the same - food, drinks, christmas decorations, candles, jewellery etc etc.

So instead of going somewhere with the 'best' christmas markets, pick somewhere that is where you want to and has some interesting sights etc as well. Out of the 4, Strasbourg was easily my favourite with an interesting mix of architecture styles, good shopping, amazing Christmas lights and decorations, easy to walk & get around and small markets scattered throughout the city.

I'll try to get some photos up this weekend - flying home to Australia tomorrow.

saggycaggy · 22-04-2015 10:51am

I know this is super early but just looking for small bit of info so I can plan ahead.

Hoping to take my mum away to the Christmas markets this year as a surprise and from what I've been reading I think Cologne will be lovely.
I'm just wondering is Cologne easy to get to from Dublin-are there direct flights or do we fly to a different airport and get a train?
I really want to go somewhere that's handy to get to ideally!

Thanks,

Caroline

mel.b · 22-04-2015 10:57am

saggycaggy wrote: »

I know this is super early but just looking for small bit of info so I can plan ahead.

Hoping to take my mum away to the Christmas markets this year as a surprise and from what I've been reading I think Cologne will be lovely.
I'm just wondering is Cologne easy to get to from Dublin-are there direct flights or do we fly to a different airport and get a train?
I really want to go somewhere that's handy to get to ideally!

Thanks,

Caroline

There are direct flights from Dub to Cologne and then a train into the city so that is easy. The markets themseleves are nice and BUSY, but once you are away from them the city imo didn't seem very Christmassey.

Christmas Markets **General/Annual Bumper Thread**

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Christmas Markets General/Annual Bumper Thread