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| Brussels Winter Wonders // Photo by Vincent Brassine via flickr |
Auto Europe is offering recommendations for Europe's top Christmas markets.
The United Kingdom, Auto Europe says, is renowned for their markets, with Manchester attracting shoppers from all over the world. The markets run from November 14 through December 21, 2014, and are located throughout the city with an array of over 300 stalls. Choices include gifts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, food and drink plus entertainment daily throughout the celebrations.
Belgium is holding their annual Brussels Winter Wonders November 28, 2014, through January 4, 2015, and features a vast number of stalls in a true holiday atmosphere. Additional attractions include an ice rink for skating, fairground attractions and multiple light shows. The event boasts a blend of tradition and modernity, Auto Europe says.
Copenhagen's most famous celebration of the season of Jul (Yuletide) and is featured in the Tivoli Gardens with four miles of lights arranged by Tiffany's head designer. This Danish tradition begins on November 15, 2014, and runs through January 4, 2015, and includes over 50 market stalls selling gifts, daily showings of The Nutcracker Ballet and fireworks.
One of the oldest markets in Austria is Salzburg's Christkindlemarkt, dating back to the 15th century. Featuring over 85 stalls in downtown Salzburg offering pewter crafts, slippers, loden coats plus a multitude of holiday snacks, such as gingerbread, roasted chestnuts and mulled wines. In addition, the 17th-century old palace Schloss Hellbrunn, features 24 windows and is decorated perfectly as an Advent calendar. This market runs from November 20 through December 26, 2014.
The Lille Christmas Market in France opens November 19 through December 30, 2014. This month long celebration is popular and in addition to stalls selling arts, crafts and local cuisine, there are many events for children.
The Christmas Market in Bremen is considered one of the most attractive in Germany. Featuring over 170 decorated stalls for browsing for gifts, the historical setting creates a festive Christmas atmosphere. The Schlachte Magic features a live Advent calendar event on the river Weser's promenade.
The Italians celebrate the Mercatino di Natale. The Trentino-Alto Adige region in the city of Trento holds their celebrations from November 22, 2014, through January 6, 2015. This is one of the best markets in Italy and includes more than 60 traditional stalls with crafts, foods and decorations, Auto Europe says.
Basel, considered to be the largest and most popular Christmas market in Switzerland, celebrates from November 27 through December 23, 2014. The fairy-tale atmosphere markets specialize in Christmas shops, such as the Johann Wanner Christmas House, and also features numerous concerts and guided Christmas tours.
This year, Dublin is holding its first traditional Christmas market in Ireland. There will be more than 60 stalls featuring a unique selection of Irish made handcrafts, seasonal food and drinks and entertainment from local choirs and carolers. Dublin at Christmas will run from November 13 through December 23, 2014.
Holland's Magical Maastricht Christmas market runs November 29 through December 20, 2014. The festivities are located all over the city, with a huge ice skating rink, a carousal and market stalls featured in Vrijthof square. In addition to shopping stalls, the Magical Culture Festival also provides festival entertainment in the theaters, cultural institutes as well as in the streets, Auto Europe says.
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