Where is the best Christmas market - comments please?

Question

My husband and I would love to go to a christmas market this year in December. We've never been to one before and there are so many to choose from and they all look great. Can you tell me about your experiences with them, which are best etc and if they are close to the airport. Also if you know of any nice hotels near to the markets you are suggesting. Many thanks.

Answer 1

It depends if you want to go abroad or not. The cheaper option would be to say in the UK. Manchester has fantastic Christmas Markets in different parts of the city. When all the decorations and Xmas trees are up its a lovely christmassy atmosphere and an ice rink is put up in the centre of Piccadilly Gardens. All the markets are filled with Austrian, German and Swiss etc., sellers who come over from their countries to sell arts/crafts/food/beverages/fashion etc..., and there is always someone selling chestnuts and mulled wine, which tops it off for me! There is often entertainment too. All in all its a great atmosphere, especially on a crisp and cold evening, as everywhere is open till late including the markets, and everything's lit up....

There is also plenty more to see and do in Manchester besides the markets....

Answer 2

Best Christmas Markets? In Germany definitely!

Here is a website which has links to over 300 other Internet addresses of well known Christmas Markets in Germany:

http://www.weihnachtsmarkt-international...

In the UK I know the one in Lincoln, very nice, but the German ones are the real thing.

I have seen the ones in Nuernberg, Dresden, Rotenburg ob der Tauber, also Luebeck (easily reached by Ryan Air). I'm sure you will be impressed, and take plenty of money ;-)  Most important though book soon, otherwise you'll only find yourself in a hotel far out of the town you choose for your Christmas Market.

Mc Gonagall  

Answer 3

Lincoln has a very large Christmas market which spreads all around the top of the town, including in castle grounds. You can also take in the cathedral and other historic sites around the town. My wife and I are going again this year, but will be staying with friends. We found it better than the couple of other UK ones we have been to and comparable to the one or two continental ones we have visited. Good for intersting food stuffs, local and continental.

Best way to get to Lincoln is by train in the UK. - traffic around Lincoln at market time is grim.

We don't know hotels but book very soon.

Answer 4

Apparently Germany has the best one in the world. I don't know too much about it I'm afraid, but the internet will tell you all you need to know.

Answer 5

I have read all the other answers, and am amazed that no one has mentioned Birmingham.

Seven years running, and it gets bigger and better every year.

Best kept secret in Europe---the German Market in Birmingham

Answer 6

I say keep your Christmas money in the country, but that's my notion of helping local shopkeepers and the employees of larger stores have a merry Christmas as well.

Having said that here are some links to get started:

UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Holland, Poland, etc:

http://www.christmasmarkets.com/

Another international one:

http://www.germany-christmas-market.org....

UK only:

http://gouk.about.com/od/christmasmarket...



"Courtesy of that Cheeky Christmas Elf"