By Joanne Sasvari
Forget the harried crowds and joyless chore of holiday shopping at the mall. Instead, revel in all that makes the festive season magical at one of northwestern Europe’s Christmas markets. With winter’s smaller crowds, lower prices, and merry mood, December can be the best time to travel to Europe, and it’s easy to visit the best Christmas market destinations by rail. Just be sure to bring an extra suitcase – you’ll need it for all the treasures you’ll find.
They say the Germans invented Christmas: The Christmas tree, Kris Kringle, Silent Night, the Advent calendar, Christmas gifts and even the Christmas card all hail from the snowy forests of northwestern Europe. So, too, the Christmas market, which is the best possible way to spend a wintry evening.
For centuries, the open-air markets known as Weihnactsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt have popped up in communities all over Germany during the four weeks of Advent that lead up to Christmas Day. They’re usually held in the main town square, where vendors set up stalls to sell handicrafts, ornaments, food and the fragrant hot spiced wine known as glühwein. There’s often live entertainment and sometimes a nativity scene, a visit from the Three Wise Men or the arrival of the ‘Christkind’, played by an angelic-looking local child.
The earliest winter markets date back to the 12th Century – with some of the oldest in Munich, Frankfurt and Dresden – and weren’t specifically religious. Rather, they were an opportunity for townspeople to stock up on food and other household goods before the worst of winter arrived. Gradually, they became opportunities for artists and artisans to sell their wares. Then, in the early 1500s, around the time of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther established December 24 as the country’s official gift-giving day, and the markets became a place to shop for presents.
Germany is still home to some of the world’s biggest and best Christmas markets. The ones in Nuremberg and Dresden draw about two million visitors a year; the ones in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Dortmund attract about three million; and the most visited market, which is in Cologne, features hundreds of stalls and is visited by four million people a year. Indeed, the whole city of Cologne becomes a sparkling seasonal spectacle
But the tradition has spread beyond Germany’s borders, right across Europe, and a rail pass is a great way to visit the markets.
The one in Strasbourg in eastern France, for instance, dates back to 1570, has 10 locations, 300 stalls and a towering Great Christmas Tree. Vienna’s market is even older, dating back to 1298, and is one of the most traditionally festive in Europe with a huge skating rink, reindeer rides and a traditional (and very boozy) hot rum punsch.
In Budapest, Vörösmarty Square is transformed into a magical winter wonderland, where the façade of the famous Gerbeaud Coffee House is transformed into a giant Advent calendar with a window display opening every day before Christmas Eve. Prague, in the Czech Republic, has two markets just a short stroll from each other, one on Old Town Square and the other in Wenceslas Square, featuring wooden huts selling local crafts and foodstuffs. In Poland, Krakow’s market is the place to go for hand-painted ornaments and quirky antiques.
In Scandinavia, Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens burst with light shows and fireworks displays. Meanwhile, in Stockholm, Sweden, Skansen’s Christmas Market is as traditional as can be, with dancing around the Christmas tree and a small zoo where you can hang out with real live reindeer.
Today, Europe’s Christmas markets are more popular than ever. Whatever faith you follow – even if it’s no faith at all – the markets evoke an old-fashioned sense of community, with great food and unique one-of-a-kind gifts. Most of all, they are festively social, with people of all ages and walks of life gathering happily together.
It may be chilly outside, but here at Europe’s Christmas markets, the joyful goodwill will keep you warm all over.
There are also tons of amazing river cruising options that will take you to see the christmas markets including Avalon Waterways and AMA Waterways. If you’re looking to book a trip to see European Christmas markets, whether it be by land or river cruise, we can help! Fill out our request a quote form and tell us more about your trip and one of our advisors will be in touch!
With the holidays fast approaching, there are more and more travel deals rolling out every day. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the less known Travel Tuesday, there are plenty of amazing offers available that you won’t want to miss! The good news for travellers is that most of these deals will extend beyond one day giving you a little more time to make a decision! We have handpicked some of the best deals available from some of our preferred partners. These deals won’t last long so send us a message or request a quote to get more information on any of these amazing deals! We are also offering a free Kemp Travel t-shirt, tank or hat to anyone who books between November 22nd and 28th. You must reference this post to receive your free item!
AIR CANADA VACATIONS
Up to 40% off Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, USA, Canada, & Europe
Book by November 22, 2018 and travel between February 1 to April 30, 2019
HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES
Over 1,000 cruises on sale and for a limited-time receive prepaid gratuities and up to a $50 beverage credit per stateroom. This promotion includes all sailings from December 1, 2018 and on (excluding Grand Voyages and Grand Voyage Segments). The sale starts Wednesday, November 21 and runs through Tuesday, November 28.
PLUS, Cyber Sale is combinable with Top 10 Sailings and Alaska Land+Sea Exploration Event!
G ADVENTURES
For one week only, you can save up to 35% on more than 500 tours and 10,000 departures that let you trek, sail, surf, and more across our big, beautiful planet.
The Cyber Sale runs from 12:00am EST Tuesday, November 20 to 11:59pm EST Monday, November 26. So get on it!
Check out G Adventures new travel style called Wellness
OCEANIA CRUISES
FREE upgrade sale on 40 unique voyages for bookings made between November 20 and November 27, 2018.
TRANSAT
Save up to 50% when you book a winter Sun package. The Black Friday Week Sale is valid on new individual bookings made from November 20 to 26, 2018, for travel from December 15, 2018 to April 30, 2019. Valid on South, Europe and Caribbean cruise packages.
SUNWING
There are lots of Black Friday sales, but only one Orange Friday Sale. Save up to 35% off premium all inclusive vacations starting this weekend! Plus, take advantage of generous savings on cruise packages and Florida fly, stay and drive packages.
TRAFALGAR
Trafalgar is offering a savings of 15% off per person on 15 of its trips to Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. The promotion runs through Nov. 26
REGENT SEVEN SEAS
Upgrade and indulge with a FREE 2- or 3-Category Suite Upgrade on select 2019 voyages to Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. Enjoy a FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel stay when you upgrade to a Concierge Suite or higher and the services of a personal butler when you step up to a Penthouse Suite.
Book between November 16 and November 30, 2018.
Check out their current Canadian at Par Promotion
CONTIKI
Save 20% off on a series of 20 of their most popular adventures around the world. This offer runs from November 23rd to November 30th.
INSIGHT VACATIONS
Book any premium escorted journey to Spain, Portugal or Morocco by 26 November and receive pre-paid gratuities on us PLUS save 10% with the Early Payment Discount.
SCENIC CRUISES
Book by November 26th and be eligible for some or all of the following: fly for FREE or fly for $295, €200 on board credit per suite, deposit protection plan and free door to door chauffeur services.
Terms and conditions apply to all of the above offers. If you are interested in learning more or requesting a quote, please send us an email or fill out our contact form and one of our experienced travel consultants will be happy to help you out!
PRINCESS CRUISES
Select sailings booked for winter 2018 through to spring 2019 are eligible to save up to $900 per stateroom, or $450 per guest based on double occupancy.
Cruisers booking sailings in from summer 2019 through to spring 2020 receive three free perks, including:
- FREE Stateroom Location Upgrade – the preferred stateroom location for the lowest fare available within selected room type.
- FREE Gratuities – paid on the guest’s behalf, up to a $15.50 value per day, per guest for all guests in a stateroom, up to four guests.
- FREE Onboard Spending Money for All Guests – up to $800 per stateroom, based on the length of the voyage.
Must be booked by December 3rd, 2018
WINDSTAR CRUISES
November one week sale – Voyages start from $1,099 USD per guest and are available until November 23. Book now so you don’t miss out!
WESTJET VACATIONS
Book your next vacation by November 23rd during one of their greatest sales of the year and get massive savings on vacation packages to incredible destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and the U.S.
Terms and conditions apply to all of the above offers and may not be applicable to all bookings. To get more information or to book any of these offers please fill out our request a quote form, contact your Kemp Travel Consultant, or contact us and tell us a little about your trip and we will set you up with an advisor that best suits your travel needs!