Christmas in July! It might seem like an odd time of year to be talking about Christmas, but the best-planned trips are done months in advance. If you’re thinking about traveling to Europe in December, it’s best to start planning now.
Why visit Europe when it’s cold and dreary? Because nothing will put you in the holiday spirit more than a Christmas market and historical city aglow! Christmas markets are open air street markets that sell delicious treats, drinks, and seasonal items and often feature musical performances. They originated in Germany and date back to the fourteenth century.
Imagine strolling through cobblestone streets and meandering from stall to stall with a mulled wine in hand and the sounds of carols and twinkling lights surrounding you – it’s a quintessential Christmas experience not to be missed! While it will be chilly out, there will be fewer crowds, lower hotel prices, and an even more beautiful city to explore.
There are Christmas markets in cities and towns all across Europe, but below are a few notable ones to get you dreaming of a perfect European Christmas vacation!
Nuremberg, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
Dresden, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Prague, Czech Republic
Brussels, Belgium
Historically, Christmas markets took place during the four weeks of Advent, but today most markets begin at the end of November and go through the end of December. You can often get great transatlantic flight deals this time of year, making it an even better time to go.
Only five more months until Christmas!
-Caroline
