More Brits are planning to get into the swing of the festive season by visiting a Christmas market in Europe during 2012, according to figures from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). (Featured image by notfrancois)
The traditional charms of Europe’s annual Christmas markets are proving to be even more of a draw for Brits than usual. ABTA members have reported up to a 20 per cent increase in bookings year-on-year for specialist Christmas Market packages.
Cities in the UK have also woken up to the appeal of Christmas markets, with Frankfurt’s twin city Birmingham playing host to a German market with over 180 craft stalls.
Victoria Bacon, ABTA’s Head of Communications, said: “Christmas shopping can often be a chore but Christmas markets take you back to a time when everything about this time of year was magical.
“The growth in popularity of the markets also supports the wider trend we are seeing of holidaymakers seeking out more authentic and local experiences.
“The markets, both here and overseas, are a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy an early winter break, with many travel companies offering packages by air, rail, coach or even on a river cruise.”
Here are just some of the markets in Europe where you can stock up on festive season goodies.
Germany has a number of Christmas markets, offering a selection of arts and crafts, ancient handicrafts, and gastronomic delights.
The Lubeck Christmas Market (November 26 – December 30) offers visitors a truly magical experience, boasting a Fairy Tale Forest made up of 500 illuminated fir trees and 21 stalls recreating tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Holidaymakers can also fill their bags to the brim with a variety of goods from Christmas decorations to gingerbread hearts.
The “Marché Vert Noël” Christmas market is held in the city of Aosta, Italy from early December to January 6. Covered in snow during the winter and set against a mountainous backdrop, Aosta is the ideal setting for a Christmas market.
The Alpine village is transformed into a classic and beautiful Christmas Village, lit up with Christmas lights and decorations.
In Paris, the Champs-Elysees fills up with white painted stalls and a giant illuminated Ferris wheel in the lead up to Christmas, perfect for families with children of all ages.
