8 Best Christmas Markets in France | 8 Top Destinations to Visit in France at Christmas | 8 Must See French Towns to Spend a Magical Christmas
With an age-old tradition dating back to the 14th century, France is one of those countries in Europe, where celebrating Christmas with zest and fervor is deeply rooted within its national culture. And since the concept of the world's first ever Christmas Tree originated from here, France has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. Owing to the diverse geography running from the French Alps to the Mediterranean, France follows different Christmas customs in different regions. But there is one thing in common - the Christmas Markets!
Top 15 Exciting Things to See and Do in Valkenburg aan de Geul on a Day Trip | 15 Best Activities and Sightseeing Attractions of Valkenburg, the Netherlands
Located in Limburg, the southernmost province of the Netherlands, Valkenburg, a marlstone hamlet nestled amid moss-green hills in the heart of the 'Heuvelland' nature reserve, is the country's oldest tourist destination and one of the few places in the country with actual mountains. It has been a landmark for nearly 130 years with its undulating terrain and picturesque surroundings, as well as its two major attractions - the famed castle ruins and marlstone caves. Even though just the remains of Castle Valkenburg exist, it is nonetheless worth a visit because it is the country's only castle built on a hill and therefore offers a panoramic view of the city from its broken ramparts.
Valkenburg Christmas Market | Kerststad Valkenburg | Christmas Town Valkenburg | The Unique Christmas Cave Markets of Valkenburg, the Netherlands
If you plan to stroll incessantly through gorgeous winter landscapes and enchanting Christmas decors, you need to be at Kerststad Valkenburg. Having seen a lot of Christmas Markets around the globe, I can safely proclaim that Valkenburg Christmas Market is hands down the best Christmas Market in the Netherlands and one of the most unique Christmas Markets on the planet. After all, it's not every day that you get to a Christmas Market within a marlstone cave!
The Dutch Christmas Markets | 9 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in the Netherlands | Top 9 Things to See and Do in the Netherlands during Christmas
While the whole world is already busy shopping in Advent Markets from mid-November, the Dutch have yet to set up a Christmas Tree! Strange but true, the country starts brimming with Christmas joy only from the second week of December when the town squares convert into grand markets selling food, trinkets, glühwein, oliebollen, and all kinds of gifts that bring smiles to the faces of your friends, family, and folks you care about.
The Christmas Markets of Stockholm | Top 5 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Stockholm | 5 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden
Christmas in Stockholm is a time of coziness, shimmering lighting, copious amounts of food and drink, and a few unique traditions ranging from solemn to hilarious. Stockholm's Christmas markets await exploration, with a million Christmas lights adorning the streets and a chill in the air filled with seasonal cheer.
The Christmas Markets of Helsinki | Top 6 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Helsinki | 6 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Helsinki, Finland
While the sun may be reluctant to rise as winter settles in on Helsinki, the aroma of mulled wine, or glögi, and shop window decorations warm the heart as the holiday season approaches. People take advantage of pikkujoulu, or "little Christmas," when they celebrate in pubs and restaurants, because Christmas is normally a quiet family affair. Despite the fact that the temperature drops below minus 10 degrees Celsius at this time of the year, the atmosphere still remains one of warm conviviality. Even when the temperature drops, shops and restaurants gleam with a warm glow, and Finnish structures are known for their ability to withstand the worst frost. When you add carol concerts in churches to the mix, it's hard to believe Helsinki wasn't built for the sole purpose of celebrating Christmas.
The Christmas Markets of Tallinn | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Tallinn | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn's medieval Old Town takes on a particularly romantic look in the winter, when a new dusting of snow covers its rooftops and candles cast a flickering glow across its cobblestone alleyways. Tallinn is at its most enchanting during the winter, despite the dark nights. From ice skating on the Old Town's outdoor rink to sipping mulled wine on the ancient Town Hall square at one of Europe's best Christmas Markets, it's a true winter wonderland!
The Christmas Markets of Riga | Top 8 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Riga | 8 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Riga, Latvia
With a strong pagan and Christian streak, Latvians commemorate Christmas (or the Winter Solstice) with zest and fervor. And since the world's very first ever Christmas Tree was put up in Riga back in 1510, Latvia has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. At Riga, even if it's not a white Christmas, you can easily enter the seasonal spirit by simply following the aroma of gingerbread and mulled red wine and charming stalls selling hand-knitted shawls, mittens, socks, fragrant candle lights, artisanal spoons, and other woodwork in the Christmas Markets in the center of the Old Town. And don't forget to give yourself some rest from shopping with authentic delicacies like grey peas and bacon, best on a chilling winter day.
The Christmas Markets of Vilnius | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Vilnius | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania
December in Vilnius is a unique time as Christmas and New Year draw closer and bring the associated festivities. Vilnius got extremely popular when ‘The Guardian’ listed Vilnius’ Christmas Tree amongst the most gorgeous ones globally in 2015. Its appeal increased with the Christmas Trees of 2016 and 2017. In 2019 when we visited, Vilnius set up a 27 meters (around 90 feet) high metal Christmas Tree made with 600+ branches and over 5 km of lighting themed on the Queen of Chess (ranked as finest Christmas Tree in Europe that year), surrounded by stalls offering well-crafted distinct handmade products, a wide variety of dining establishments open till midnight and youth choirs shouting Christmas carols all around. Certainly, Vilnius is a must-visit Christmas location.
A Baltic and Scandinavian Christmas | A 7000 km Cruise and Road Trip across Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden from the Netherlands | Travel Itinerary, Tips, and Tricks
Today I’m going to tell you a Christmas story. An epic Christmas story of a 7000 km cruise and road run across Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden from the Netherlands.
The Best Places to Visit in Slovenia | The Most Beautiful Must See Attractions of Slovenia
With snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps, gleaming emerald-green lakes, turquoise rivers, Venetian shoreline along the Adriatic Sea, and the underground magical world of Postojna and Škocjan caverns, tiny Slovenia (formerly a part of Yugoslavia and not to be confused with Slovakia that was previously a part of Czechoslovakia) certainly appears to be the 'Promised Land.' An extraordinary combination of climates brings cozy Mediterranean breezes to the foothills of the Alps, where it can also snow in summer. With more than half of its overall surface area still covered in woodland, Slovenia is one of the greenest nations in the world.
The Christmas Markets of Salzburg | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Salzburg | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Salzburg, Austria
As you gaze out over the city's snow-covered rooftops, domes, and towers, the pealing of innumerable church bells will remind you that Christmas is approaching, and the Salzburg Christmas markets will warm you up. It's the perfect time of year for a romantic stroll through the city's hilltops, which provide a spectacular perspective of the city and the cheerful buzz of the Salzburg Christmas Markets will strike you as you return to the town. The aromas of toasted almonds, hot roasted chestnuts, freshly baked apples, and gingerbread hearts, along with nativity figures, Christmas Tree ornaments, toys, and warm knitwear create a one-of-a-kind ambiance.
The Christmas Markets of Hallstatt | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Hallstatt | 7 Best Places to Visit during Winter in Hallstatt, Austria
The UNESCO World Heritage town's Market Square is undoubtedly one of Hallstatt's most beautiful spots. Every year, visitors from all over the world congregate in the ancient square, which is flanked by charming, tiny cottages. Visitors will find quaint cafes, restaurants, a popular bar for both young and old, motels, and, of course, souvenirs.
The Christmas Markets of Innsbruck | Top 14 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Innsbruck | 14 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Innsbruck, Austria
The Christmas markets in Innsbruck, Austria, provide a one-of-a-kind atmosphere for creating wonderful memories. The Innsbruck Christmas market experience is genuinely authentic, with the snow-capped Alps and old cobblestone roads combined with local Christmas traditions. From the Golden Roof to 300 meters above the town at Hungerburg, there are six Christmas Markets, 200 stalls, and a 14-meter tall Christmas tree full of brilliant and glittering crystals. Innsbruck, the city of Tyrol, comes alive with a frenetic Christmas spirit throughout the Advent season.