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THE MAGNIFICENT 7 : CHRISTMAS MARKET DESTINATIONS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR LIST THIS WINTER
Need a winter break ? Make it a festive one By Tom Woods
Europe is a diverse continent . Depending on how you label countries , approximately 50 nations are packed tightly into our corner of the world , with almost 750 million people speaking 24 official languages . Yet , as the nights draw in and the mercury creeps ever lower , we come together to celebrate one of the calendar ’ s biggest annual events – Christmas .
And one of the most popular ways to ring in the festive season is the German tradition of a Christmas market . Festivals of fairy lights , mulled wine , food , gifts and cheer , one of the best ways to experience this European institution is on a city break . If you fancy a little getaway this winter , why not try one of these destinations that are well-versed in putting on a Christmastime show ?
Vienna , Austria Dates : 20 November 2022 – 4 January 2023 In the Middle Ages , Vienna was host to a forerunner of the Christmas market phenomenon when , in 1296 , Albrecht I granted Vienna ’ s citizens the privilege of holding a December market . Today , Vienna is a winter wonderland with several festive market locations scattered throughout Austria ’ s charming capital . Its main event is the Viennese Dream Christmas Market , which can be found on the square at the foot of City Hall . Savour culinary delights , purchase a decoration for your own tree or let your little ones learn how to make Christmas cookies or candles . Other Viennese icons such as Belvedere Palace , the Museum of Art and Schönbrunn Palace all preside over their own Christmas markets , meaning you can enjoy the city ’ s very best attractions whilst you eat , drink and shop the day away . Don ’ t forget to check out the other sights in Vienna such as city centre amusement park , Prater , Danube Tower and the State Hall of the Austrian National Library . And make sure to try Viennese speciality Sachertorte – chocolate sponge cake with apricot jam and dark chocolate icing . Get there : Fly Ryanair from Liverpool or Austrian Airlines , Jet2 and Ryanair from Manchester .
Belfast , Northern Ireland . Dates : 19 November – 22 December 2022 If somewhere a little closer to home is easier to accommodate , Belfast could be the perfect way to enjoy some domestic festivity . Cast against the backdrop of the palatial City Hall , thousands of visitors flock to Belfast ’ s markets for food , drink and Christmas shopping . Local food and craft traders from the popular St George ’ s Market join in the yuletide fun , and the vintage Helter Skelter offers thrilling views right across the market . If you want to round out your trip , make sure to visit by Titanic Belfast – a museum about the famous vessel on the site it was built – and take a tour to the County Antrim Coast to experience the naturally-formed hexagonal columns of Giant ’ s Causeway . Get there : Fly easyJet from Liverpool or Aer Lingus , easyJet and Flybe from Manchester
Dresden , Germany Dates : 23 November – 24 December 2022 Dresden may not be the first name that springs to mind when you think of classic continental breaks , but it more than deserves to be on this list because it ’ s the birthplace of this festive tradition . First held on Christmas Eve of 1434 , Dresden ’ s Striezelmarkt is considered to be the first true Christmas market . Full of history and charm , you can still immerse yourself in the lights , aromas and tastes of the Striezelmarkt today , with the 588th edition of this iconic event commencing at the end of November . Experience the world ’ s largest walk-in candle arch , a full programme of cultural Christmas events for young and old and the Ferris wheel , which provides a spectacular vantage point of the surrounding area . Away from the markets you ’ ll find plenty to keep you occupied including beautiful Baroque architecture such as Frauenkirche , Semperoper and Zwinger , take a cruise down the Elbe river or enjoy a stroll along Brühl ’ s Terrace and take in the cityscape from land . Get there : Fly Lufthansa ( via Frankfurt ) from Liverpool and Manchester
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