Christmas Markets Europe

Christmas Markets in Europe

01/12/2015

As an addition to our previous posts: German Christmas Markets and Christmas Markets in the UK we are giving you the top 3 locations for great Christmas Markets for those who fancy going abroad, but not too far, for this special time of the year. 

France:

Paris (75008) - one of the longest-running Christmas Markets, opening mid-November until 4^th January. Paris is a magical place without Christmas, but imagine how it is during the festive period! Can't imagine it? Then let us help you experience it: with all the glistening fairy lights and rows of wooden huts. Regional food is served at almost every stand, and you definitely need to try the French selection of cheeses, hams, every kind of sausage (Saucissons), sweets, gingerbread (Pain D’epices), roasted chestnuts and cabbage rolls stuffed with duck. Mmm! If you’re visiting Paris with children, they’ll have great fun on the ice rinks, like the one on the Champs-Elysees! 

Trip: From London to Champs-Elysees Market is about 287 miles which is a 5h 30min journey. The quickest way would be to take a ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe. We could provide you with a ferry package, which includes the whole trip from your chosen location in the UK, through the ferry and from there to the lovely Parisian Christmas Market! All in one takes the headache away from you, as you don't have to book everything separately!

Trip Duration: 5h 30min

Opening times: The two most popular markets – Champs Elysées (Christmas village) and Saint Germain des Prés (Latin Quarter, Santa's village) are both open the longest – from 14th November 2015 until 4th January 2016).

Czech Republic:

Prague (140 00) – the winter wonderland, one of the best festive markets in Europe. You can see traditional handcrafted products like intricate glassware and jewellery, embroidered lace, wooden toys and beautifully dressed puppets and dolls. In terms of food there are loads of hams roasted on spits, tasty barbequed sausages (Klobása), cakes and pastries prepared in front of you and Trdelník, a hot sugar coated pastry. Oh, don’t forget about mulled wine (SvaÅ™ené Víno)! And, for the younger ones they have animal stables and petting zoos allowing kids to meet some furry friends to warm up to!

Trip: Consider taking a plane and hire our door to door airport transfer, for both the UK and Prague. Direct flights from the UK to Prague are: the South (Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted airport), the Midlands (Nottingham airport) and the north (Manchester and Leeds airport). We are able to pick you up from any location to any UK airport. Václav Havel Airport Prague is located about 30min from the Christmas Market. Why not to hire a shuttle from the airport to Winter Wonderland?

Flights: The shortest flight is from Luton and Stansted - 1h 50min. The longest flight is from Leeds - 2h 15min 

Opening times: From 28th November to 1st January, every day from 10am – 10pm

Switzerland:

Lucerne (6003) - chocolate and delicious Raclette cheese, mulled wine and hundreds of illuminated pine trees, the Swiss know how to celebrate Christmas; with over 70 market stands presenting local artists performing live! Children will make a beeline for the Christmas carousel and the appropriately seasonal music of brass ensembles and choirs, older kids will love the regional specialties like: cheese Fondue, a pastry shell (Pastete), Crépés, loads of sweets and mulled wine!

Trip: Consider a coach trip with 635 miles of great views through France to Switzerland. We can provide you with a luxurious executive or VIP coach/minibus or if you prefer to fly; our exceptional door to door airport transfer service. If you choose a road trip it’s worth planning some stops in France as you pass through. For nature lovers we recommend - Caps et Marais d'Opale Natural Regional Park (62142): A great cycling and walking area, little traffic and loads of coffee shops in villages. Perfect for those who just want to wander around, relax for a moment and observe nature. However if you prefer a little bit of history Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims (51100) can't be missed. It’s a gothic Cathedral in Reims, a city well-known for its rich history. The Cathedral is considered one of the most harmonious and classical in its proportions, often called the "Cathedral of Angels" because of the rich sculptural decoration. For Art lovers, Unterlinden Museum (68000) the 13th-century Dominican convent building in Colmar (north east of France), converted into a religious & local history & art museum.

Opening times: From 3rd till 20th December 2015

Stalls with handcraft daily from 11am - 8pm
Stalls with food daily from 11 am - 9 pm

It’s well worth visiting a Christmas Market for the food and sights alone but you might even discover traditions you never imagined existed: In the Czech Republic, in early December, women cut down cherry, apple and forsythia tree twigs. If they bloom at Christmas, they will be married the upcoming year. If they bloom before Christmas, first they’ll have a child, and then marriage. A twig without flowers means that its owner will be single for another year. Did you know that? There is much more to every single country! Once you decide to find out more about other traditions and visit not only those cities/towns, call our travel advisers on 0203 397 4460 or get an online quote from CoachHire.com to take you, your family and friends away for the most memorable of Christmas experiences.