Lots of comments on best markets in Germany. Where did you find the most interesting one in some other country? Thanks for insights! CJ

Strasbourg. And several smaller ones in Provence--not the kind in Germany, but charming.

Does anyone know what the Christmas markets are like in Scandanavia, are they worth visiting?

regards,

aussieR

Prague's was very nice as was Vienna's.

I agree that the Strasbourg Christmas market is very good - very much like the ones in Germany for obvious reasons, but still very good. Walking around the city with the scent of pine in the air sipping Glühwein and munching potato-apple pancakes is a treat, especially if there's a nice snow falling.

Of course, one can do all of the above in Germany-which is exactly what ITS Christmas markets are known for!

Just to add to the list: Salzburg.
The christmas market is held in a large italian style formal townquare. I actually like it better than the markets I've been to in Germany (Munich, Nurenberg, Cologne, Augsburg). It has a more intimate & scenic setting. Our favorite thing to do is to join the various parties & events (indoor/outdoor) around the market area in Salzburg.

I read an article once on this one in MONTBELIARD, France (near Mulhouse and Basel Switzerland)and always meant to go and never made it. It was raved as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe by the magazine.
http://www.lumieresdenoel.fr/

It looks fabulous and could easily be combined with Strasbourg.

I've not been to them so I can't speak from personal experience, but I have heard that Bruges has great Christmas markets. They might be a bit more different to the other suggested as I would have thought that Strasbourg and Salzburg being so close to Germany are probably not dissimiliar.

The Brugge market is nice, very picturesque, with an ice skating rink. Best if there is some snow as well. Brussels has a good market, but it's spread too far out...it used to be in the Grand'Place, but now it winds all around the downtown area. However, one thing that we do like about the Brussels market is that many of the booths are run by charities and do carry some unique items.

Thank you for all of your replies. I was waiting for BTilke's reply, since I'm interested in Belgium. Thanks again to all! CJ

CarolJean: Personally I think the best Christmas Markets are found in Germany. Austria's markets are similar to Germany. Personally I didn't care as much for the Christmas markets in Belgium, but I still enjoyed my time in Brussels. Copenhagen has something of a market going in Tivoli.

I'd have to agree with the last poster. For my money, there are is no place better than Germany for Christmas markets (particularly Nurenberg's-but I'm awfully fond of FRA's as well!) If there were any place better, it would have to be in Austria and partic. Salzburg, b/c Salzburg is just about perfection, IMO.

I've been to the Christmas market in Brussels and was totally underwhelmed-as I was expecting it to be similar to Germany's and it just didn't have the same atmosphere at all.

Are the German Christmas markets still open after Christmas for a while? We are finally going to Garmisch-Partenkirchen for Christmas but we won't get there until Dec. 27. Will I still be able to see a Christmas market or are they all gone the day after?

They will be gone.

Thanks again to all. I know the German markets are great. I spent Dec. '89 going to many of them. Just haven't been to any outside of Germany. Think it is time to revisit them, hence the question. I don't want to miss anything. CJ

sorry to disappoint you but they will all be gone by the evening of the 24th december.

We've been doing some research on German Christmas markets, and some websites have indicated that there are actually a few are open after Christmas. Here's some I jotted down with their ending dates. Some of these are closed or have shorter hours on the 24th and 25th. These are just ones I found--there might be others.

Ettlinger 12/28
Minden an der Weser 12/30
Two in Berlin until 12/26
Goslar 12/29
Beilfelder 12/30

There's a really excellent one in Lincoln (all through the cathedral close and inside the castle) and also in Birmingham, which has always struck me as odd for some reason but I know not why.

Dr D.