susan4

We are visiting DD in Lyon, France at the end of November. Looking for a place to travel with her weekend of November 29-30. Sunday night she needs to get back to Lyon and we need to be in Basel to board river cruise. She lived in Geneva this past summer, but for DH and I, this will be first time to Switzerland.
Can anyone tell me about Christmas markets in the area. The ones in Geneva, Bern, and Montreux start that weekend. I know weather might not be the best. DH is NOT a shopper, but hopefully will enjoy holiday atmosphere.
Any advice or suggestions most appreciated!

kleeblatt

The dates for Christmas markets in Switzerland can be found in the following link:

http://www.linker.ch/eigenlink/weihnachtsmarkt.htm

Some highlights:

Zürich: 28.11. bis 24.12.2008
Bremgarten (the biggest market in Switzerland): 04.12. bis 07.12.2008
Montreux: 27.11. bis 28.12.2008
Stans: 13.12. bis 14.12.2008
Rapperswil: 12.12. bis 14.12.2008
Einsiedeln: 29.11. bis 08.12.2008
Basel: 29.11. bis 23.12.2008
Bern: 29.11. bis 27.12.2008
Luzern Mühlenplatz: 04.12. bis 21.12.2008
Luzern Weinmarkt (arts and crafts):
06. / 08. / 13. / 14. /
20. und 21.12.2008
Solothurn: 03.12. bis 04.12.2008
Winterthur: 02.12. bis 23.12.2008

susan4

Thanks for the info Schuler. Have you been to any of these? Worth going out of your way to see them?

kleeblatt

Generally, the same goods are sold at all the Christmas Markets. What makes these markets interesting is the ambience. The setting, the cold, the drinks, the music, the Christmas feeling.

Plan an itinerary for Switzerland and then include a Christmas market near your destination.

I've been to Einsiedeln a few times. It's very nice, right in front of the old church.

I've been to Zürich, which was very practical since it's right in the Bahnhof.

I've been to Lucerne, which is nice because it's in the Lucerne.

suze

I have a friend who lives in Montreux. They make fun of the Christmas market there, but then they also go participate each year. It's just a bit over an hour from Geneva easily reached by train. It's a beautiful town, as is Vevey right next to it along the lake. So Christmas Market or no, I'd suggest visiting these two towns is a fun idea.

Pvoyageuse

There is a Christmas market in Lausanne, Place Saint François.