European Christmas markets
Bag traditional gifts at a European Christmas market
If you're desperate to spice up your winter and can't wait for the festive season, book a short break abroad and experience one of Europe's Christmas markets.
Why not try a self-drive holiday? The Continent is a mere ferry-ride or Eurotunnel trip away and we've got everything you need to know about driving abroad. Just make sure you arrange European breakdown cover before you leave, to avoid hefty bills. If you break down on the Continent without cover, the average repair bill is more than £550, and it can cost around £2,000 to recover your vehicle from Europe.
AA Members enjoy discounted travel with P&O Ferries, Stena Line, and Brittany Ferries. Members also enjoy a 5% saving on motoring breaks by ferry or Eurotunnel with AA Getaways.
AA Members are also entitled to discounts across Europe through the ARC Europe 'Show Your Card!' scheme, at selected hotels, restaurants, shops, museums and theme parks.
Alternatively, enjoy 3 nights for the price of 1 in hot European destinations, via Eurostar, with AA Getaways. Book a 3-night break to a city with a fantastic European Christmas market for as little as £85 per person.
Take your pick from these destinations...
Munich, Germany
The city's most famous Christmas market is the Christkindl market, on Marienplatz. There are plenty of edible gifts and new local delicacies to try, as well as mulled wine, stocking fillers, traditional Bavarian crafts and more. Take a stroll along to the Rindermarkt for a major manger market, and pick up everything you need to make your own nativity crib scene.
Cologne, Germany
There are seven European Christmas markets to visit across Koln – the largest of which can be found outside the cathedral. Here you'll find all the usual festive delicacies, including Stollen, Lebkuchen and Glühwein – as well as traditional gifts. Other major markets are at Rudolfplatz, Alter Markt, and Neumarkt. There's also a seasonal ice rink at Heumarkt.
Antwerp, Belgium
Fashionable Antwerp boasts a wonderful Christmas market, Christmas village and seasonal ice rink as the festive season approaches. Every year Grote Markt is packed with stalls where you can stock up on Christmas decorations and stocking fillers, and warm the cockles with some zingy mulled wine.
Once you've exhausted the festive stalls of the Christmas market, hit the town itself. Antwerp has become a shopping mecca for diamond-hunters and fashionistas alike.
Even if the credit crunch is taking its toll it's worth heading to Pelikannstraat for some window-shopping, 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' style. Or check out the largest Diamond Museum in the world.
If you're in the market for a rock the size of Gibraltar then Diamondland is the place to go. Belgium's only diamond showroom gives visitors the chance to learn about cleaving, sawing, polishing and grading the gemstones, as well as buy them. You can even have your chosen diamonds mounted while you wait.
As well as designer boutiques and the new Designcenter De Winkelhaak, for chic homewares, Antwerp boasts the Mode Museum or MoMu. Check out the clothing and textile collections and find out about production processes.
Bruges, Belgium
In the run-up to Christmas there's more to the Belgian city of Bruges than lager and lace. As we near Christmas, the main square is transformed into a winter wonderland of festive market stalls surrounding an ice rink. Browse the Christmas market for hand-made decorations and edible gifts before trying a local beer or two.
There are plenty of cobbled streets and shopping squares to explore during daylight hours, as well as boutique galleries such as Ter Steeghere, on Burg, Zilverpand, on Zuidzandstraat, De Gouden Boom, on Hallestraat, and Theaterboetieks, on Vlamingstraat. And if it's traditional tourist trinkets want, look no further than Wollestraat.
Paris, France
Choose from an array of European Christmas markets at key points across the city, selling everything from speciality seasonal food and gifts, to toys, arts and crafts and more. Sample some vin chaud and enjoy a festive river cruise as darkness descends, to see the Notre Dame illuminated from the Seine. Christmas market locations include: Place Saint-Sulpice, Les Halles, La Defense, Montparnasse and the Champs-Élysées.
Lille, France
Lille is the first Christmas market to open in France each year, and it boasts more than 80 chalets. Choose from original gifts, traditional toys, European specialities and more – or simply enjoy the fairground attractions and children's entertainment. Try mulled wine with a handful of roasted chestnuts,
Children can also have their photo taken with Father Christmas, before he falls 80m from the Chamber of Commerce Belfry on 19 December.
Lille itself is a great shopping destination, with old cobbled streets housing chic boutiques as well as the 100-unit Euralille shopping centre, and the discount shops of the Rue Gambetta area. Rue du Faubourg des Postes has become a focal point for the fashion conscious, and is home to young up-and-coming designers selling their own creations.
Ghent, Belgium
Ghent's St. Baafsplein hosts a Christmas spectacular in December. Enjoy the sound of a choir singing carols while you browse as many as 50 chalets at the Christmas market, selling festive decorations, gifts, candles, hand-made trinkets and more. Enjoy live music as you tuck into festive food and drink.
As well as the Belgian staples of lace, beer and chocolate, Ghent sells an abundance of sweets and cookies, and even boasts a speciality mustard shop. Much of the town is pedestrianised and best explored on foot or by boat or bike. There's also an extensive tram network. Head to Vlaanderenstraat for the best boutiques, visit the Veldstraat area for department stores, or check out more unusual shops on Koestraat and Kalandestraat.
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Make sure you arrange travel insurance before you go, and check out our fantastic European maps and travel guides. Delivery is FREE on all UK mainland orders UK over £15.
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October 2009
Full terms and conditions apply to all breaks and are available on the AA Getaways website or on request. Subject to availability. Please check any event date or description independently as they may be subject to change.