By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department
Every November in Europe, you can feel the strong festive atmosphere. Historic buildings and quaint churches covered in snow like powdered sugar, strolling through the markets sampling local snacks, sipping a warm glass of mulled wine, picking out Christmas gifts and decorations, and enjoying the twinkling lights that make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale — this is definitely a dream trip you must experience in your lifetime.
Visiting a Christmas market is a must when traveling to Europe in winter. (Image source / Winter Wonderland)
● Vienna Austria
Music capital Vienna boasts numerous Christmas markets, but the most atmospheric one is located in front of City Hall Square. A giant Christmas tree stands here, surrounded by hundreds of wooden stalls offering a wide variety of goods. Among them, beeswax candles, wooden toys, and glass ornaments are the three most popular souvenirs year after year. As for food, rich chocolate pastries filled with cream, candied fruit, roasted chestnuts, and specially brewed hot mulled wine are all festive favorites.
※Event period: November 20, 2015 – December 24, 2015
City Hall Square in Vienna is dazzlingly illuminated by festive lights. (Image source / travelmoodz)
● Strasbourg France
The French Christmas market in Strasbourg, which has been held since the 15th century, is France’s oldest Christmas market and an unbeatable choice for spending Christmas in France. The most famous aspect of the Strasbourg market is its romantic and dreamy lighting, decorating the area’s historic buildings and transforming the streets into a fairy-tale-like Christmas town. The festivities begin four weeks before Christmas and peak on December 24. The liveliest spots are around “Notre-Dame Cathedral” and “Place Broglie,” where you’ll also find French handmade ornaments, traditional pastries, and all kinds of seasonal Christmas toys.
※Event period: November 27, 2015 – December 31, 2015
Strasbourg's Christmas is as magical and sparkling as a fairy tale. (Image source / reddit)
● Brussels Belgium
Although Brussels’ Christmas market has only been around since 2002—making it relatively new compared to other long-established events—it offers exquisite Christmas souvenirs from around the world. Whether handmade items, clothing, or anything else you can imagine, you’ll find it here. Wooden cabins set up around Grand Place create a charming atmosphere, and the warm glow of lights at night ensures unforgettable views. Additionally, Brussels hosts the famous “Plaisirs d’Hiver” (Winter Wonders) light and sound show, adding even more magic to the Christmas spirit.
※Event period: November 27, 2015 – January 2, 2016
Brussels Christmas Market may be only a decade old, but it offers everything from Christmas goods to gifts. (Image source / clickandgo)
● Prague Czech Republic
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are the two most important Christmas markets in Prague. The former is known for its giant Christmas tree towering above the square, while the latter offers a rich selection of gingerbread, nuts, ceramics, and traditional Bohemian handicrafts brought by artisans from across the country. If you want to enjoy a more peaceful Christmas, the peaceful suburban markets are perfect, where you can sip hot wine and taste traditional Czech pastries with your loved ones. And don’t forget to try the traditional sausages and the trdelník, a sweet pastry cooked over an open flame and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon — a truly authentic seasonal treat.
※Event period: November 28, 2015 – January 1, 2016
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square in Prague are buzzing with life during the Christmas market season. (Image source / travel.aol)
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