Aoife O'Riordainlists 10 of the best markets across the rest of Europe
1 Edinburgh, ScotlandThis year the Scottish capital plays host to two Christmas markets between November 27th and January 4th - one with a distinctly Teutonic theme. Already a hit with residents and visiting shoppers, the German Christmas Market takes place in the heart of the city, in the Mound Precinct, with stalls selling crafts, toys and decorations as well as food and drink with a German twist. Over in East Princes Street Gardens, proceedings will have a more local flavour with a Highland Village Christmas Market, selling goods from all over Scotland.
www.edinburghschristmas.com
Where to stayAt the new Hotel du Vin, which opens on December 8th (00-44-845-3654438, www.hotelduvin.com), a few minutes from the Royal Mile. Doubles from £99.
Go thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dublin and Aer Arann (www.aerarann.com) from Cork.
2 Copenhagen, DenmarkChristmas is a magical time to visit Copenhagen, whose principal market takes place in the fairytale surroundings of the Tivoli Gardens. This sprawling green is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. Between November 14th and December 30th it plays host to an annual Christmas market. Expect stalls, performances and rides such as the elves' train, a cableway that takes visitors above snow-covered landscapes, where they can see all the pixies and elves preparing for Christmas.
www.visitcopenhagen.com
Where to stay71 Nyhavn (00-45-33436200; www.71nyhavnhotel.com) is a converted 19th-century warehouse-turned hotel on the waterfront. Doubles start at about €180 BB.
Go thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) and SAS (www.flysas.com) from Dublin.
3 Salzburg, AustriaThere are numerous themed events taking place across Salzburg throughout December, all set against the backdrop of the city's historic centre, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which is studded with beautiful baroque and medieval buildings. Its main Christmas market, which takes place between November 22nd and December 24th, is held in the central Residenz Square. Here, snow-dusted wooden stalls will be selling wooden ornaments, toys, and mulled wine and spiced biscuits. Other markets worth a wander are the Mirabell Square market and the Advent market, held in the courtyard of the magnificent Hellbrunn Palace.
www.salzburg.info, www.christkindlmarkt.co.at
Where to stayThe Amadeus Hotel (00-43-662-871401, www.hotelamadeus.at) oozes Old World charm and is right in the heart of the old city. Doubles from €180.
Go thereRyanair (www.ryanair.com) and Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) from Dublin.
4 Budapest, HungaryThe Hungarian capital occupies a stunning natural setting, and is sliced in two by a gentle meander of the river Danube, with Buda on one bank and cosmopolitan Pest on the other. The Christmas markets scattered throughout the city's historic centre hark back to a time when Christmas was simpler. From November 21st until December 29th, Vörösmarty Square is taken over by Budapest's largest annual market. The gifts and trinkets on offer will have a distinctly national theme, as more than 100 vendors sell Hungarian folk art and traditional food. Stop for a break in one of the elegant cafes that fringe the side of the square, or ice skate at the rink next to the imposing Vajdahunyad Castle.
www.gotohungary.co.uk
Where to stayThe new Soho Hotel (00-36-1-8728292; www.sohoboutiquehotel.com) is taking part in the citywide Budapest Winter Invitation - four nights for the price of three. Doubles from €109 BB.
Go thereMalev (www.malev.com), Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) or Aer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) from Dublin.
5 Stockholm, SwedenBy the end of this month there will be nine Christmas markets scattered around the Swedish capital and its archipelago. The traditional market in Gamla Stan (the old town) between November 24th and December 23rd draws the biggest crowds, with its picture-perfect setting among the cobblestone streets and alleyways, where you can wander around with a cup of the local glögg in hand. Also visit the Skansen Open Air Museum and its Christmas market on November 29th-30th or December 6th-7th. One of Stockholm's favourite parks, Kungsträdgården, transforms into a winter wonderland complete with skating rink.
www.stockholmtown.com , www.visitsweden.com
Where to stayThe new Hotel Stureplan (00-46-8-4406600, www.hotelstureplan.se). Doubles start at about €175.
Go thereSAS (www.flysas.com) from Dublin to Arlanda or Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) to Skavsta.
6 Prague, Czech RepublicPrague, one of the most picturesque cities in Europe, explodes into a riot of festive cheer at the end of November. On November 29th its annual advent markets, considered some of the most authentic in Europe, swing into life. Yuletide straw figures, decorated gingerbread biscuits and traditional handmade wooden decorations vie for shoppers' attention on the many stalls that populate both the pretty Old Town Square and the landmark Wenceslas Square. Throughout December there are scores of smaller markets scattered around the city, such as those at Miru Square and Kampa Island.
www.czechtourism.com
Where to stayThe modern Hotel Josef in the Jewish quarter (00-420-221700951, www.hoteljosef.com), designed by architect Eva Jiricna. Doubles start at €129 a night.
Go thereCSA Czech Airlines (www.czechairlines.ie), Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) and Aer Lingus (www.aer lingus.com) from Dublin.
7 Brussels, BelgiumThe Flemish city hosts a bustling market in the run-up to Christmas. Between November 28th and December 28th, the Place Sainte Catherine, the Marché aux Poisson and surrounding streets are dotted with 240 wooden chalets, selling festive items and gastronomic specialities. The Grand Place is the focus of the celebrations, with the help of a spectacular lighting display, an open-air ice rink set on the Marché aux Poisson and a sightseeing wheel offering spectacular vistas of the jolly scenes below.
www.winterwonders.be, www.brusselsinternational.be.
Where to stayThe Dominican (00-32-2-2030808, www.dominican.be) is a stylish new boutique hotel not far from the Grand Place. Doubles from about €140.
Go thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) to Brussels or Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) to Charleroi.
8 Tallinn, EstoniaTallinn is an undiscovered gem. Its perfectly intact medieval centre, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is the perfect setting for its Christmas market. Town Hall Square is the setting for a cluster of stalls from November 23rd until January 7th. As well as stalls selling Estonian crafts such as pottery, wood-carving and patchwork, the market will also feature Santa's cabin and a special post office, from where youngsters will be able to send their requests in time for deliveries on Christmas Day. Music lovers will be pleased to know the Christmas Jazz Festival takes place from November 29th until December 17th at locations throughout the city.
www.tourism.tallinn.ee, www.christmas.ee.
Where to staySet in a 15th-century merchant's house, the Schlössle Hotel (00-372-6997700, www.schlossle-hotels.com) is the perfect base for exploring. Doubles from €180 per night.
Go thereEstonian Air from Dublin (www.estonian-air.ee).
9 Cracow, PolandThe run-up to Christmas is a romantic affair in Cracow, the one-time capital of Poland. From December 1st until Christmas Eve, the historic main square of the Stare Miasto (old town), with its beautifully preserved old centre dotted with Gothic and Baroque buildings and churches, comes alive with a traditional market complete with rows of festive wooden stalls. Buy a cup of mulled wine from one of the barrel-shaped huts and browse the market for stocking fillers such as handmade woollen slippers and traditional tree decorations.
www.visitpoland.org, www.karnet.krakow.pl
Where to stayThe Hotel Copernicus (00-48-12-4243405, www.copernicus.hotel.com.pl), is an atmospheric hotel in the old town. Doubles from €175.
Go thereAer Lingus (www.aerlingus.com) or Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dublin.
10 Killarney, IrelandChristmas in Killarney takes place this year from November 20th until January 6th. Now in its third year, the self-styled "Christmas as it should be" harks back to a different era and aims to provide an antidote to busy, characterless shopping malls by offering individual stalls selling a diverse array of goods, including local crafts and gourmet goodies over the weekends of December 6th and 13th. A Children's Torch Light Parade and the turning on of the Christmas lights will officially mark the start of the build-up on December 2nd, while Santa will put in appearances on December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th. Killarney on Ice returns from December 4th until January 4th, and after Christmas Day the fun continues with a programme of guided winter walks for all ages and levels of ability - perfect for shedding some post-Christmas pounds.
www.christmasinkillarney.com
Where to stayOriginally opened in the mid-19th century, the ivy-clad Malton Hotel (064-38000, www.themalton.com) is a Killarney institution and recently had a makeover. Doubles from €130.
Go thereIrish Rail (01-7034070, www.irishrail.ie) from various locations.