Immerse yourself in winter Austria and experience the charm of a foreign Christmas.

    When it comes to Austria, one cannot help but mention its exceptional skiing skills. The country has produced numerous world skiing champions. As the birthplace of skiing in the Alpine region, Austria boasts unparalleled geographical conditions and a favorable climate thanks to the Alps within its borders.

    Data shows that Austria’s annual ski volume amounts to6100million days (number of skiers × number of ski days), equivalent to1/5of the world’s total ski volume. Skiing has become a popular winter activity in Austria in recent years, attracting large numbers of tourists every winter.

However, when we are in Austria, especially during the winter, besides enjoying the fun of snow and ice, the exotic Christmas markets are also not to be missed.

    Most Austrians are Catholic, so Christmas is a highly celebrated holiday. Often starting from11mid-month until Christmas Day itself, large-scale Christmas markets are available for people to enjoy.

Strolling through the entire market, wandering the streets of Vienna adorned with festive lights, surrounded by Christmas tree ornaments, beeswax candles, mulled wine, cookies, and countless unique gifts, perfectly captures the joyful atmosphere of Christmas.

    As night falls, people flock to the various Christmas markets to sample Austria’s traditional pastries, breads, cheeses, and various flavors of mulled wine, all while enjoying typical Austrian music and the leisurely, cozy pleasures of life.

Cinnamon star cookies, vanilla crescent Christmas biscuits or anise cookies, spiced gingerbread and stollen cakes—these delicious traditional Christmas treats are waiting in the Christmas markets to conquer the taste buds of visitors from around the world.

    “Punsch” is an indispensable part of Vienna’s Christmas markets. As a traditional Austrian hot drink, it serves as the face of the Christmas market. Punsch has no fixed recipe and is typically made by boiling a mixture of fruit tea, various fruit juices, and a variety of spices. People can adjust the ingredients to their liking. Different combinations result in vastly different flavors.

    Punsch not only warms the body, but it also has a peculiar, rather pungent taste. If you have a stuffy nose from a winter cold, holding a freshly brewed cup of Punsch can clear your nasal passages with its distinctive aroma. Since Punsch is continuously heated over a fire, the longer it simmers, the more intense the fragrance becomes and the richer the taste.

Nowadays, Austria also offers non-alcoholic Punsch specially designed for children and those who do not drink alcohol, allowing even more people to experience the joy of sipping Punsch in the snowy cold.

Children are often even more excited about Christmas, and the Christmas markets naturally include activities to entertain them:ChristkindlThe merry-go-round in the Christmas Fantasyland at the market, thePoldisChristmas craft workshops at the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas Market, or even singing Christmas carols together with the children of the Vienna Boys' Choir. 

As the old and new year approach, when thousands of people gather on the market paths on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the new year to the chimes of the Pummerin, (Pummerin) the ancient bell in St. Stephen's Cathedral, people are already looking forward to the next Christmas in their hearts.

Read more: Lake Achensee – A Gem in the Alps