Best Christmas market outside of Germany?
Aug 31st, 2004, 07:42 PM
#5
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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.
Aug 31st, 2004, 08:42 PM
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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.
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.
Aug 31st, 2004, 09:09 PM
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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.
http://www.lumieresdenoel.fr/
It looks fabulous and could easily be combined with Strasbourg.
Aug 31st, 2004, 10:38 PM
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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.
Sep 1st, 2004, 02:22 AM
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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.
Sep 1st, 2004, 12:15 PM
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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.
Sep 1st, 2004, 01:51 PM
#13
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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.
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.
Sep 1st, 2004, 01:59 PM
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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?
Sep 1st, 2004, 07:22 PM
#16
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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
Oct 9th, 2004, 03:08 PM
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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
Ettlinger 12/28
Minden an der Weser 12/30
Two in Berlin until 12/26
Goslar 12/29
Beilfelder 12/30
Oct 9th, 2004, 03:12 PM
#19
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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.
Dr D.
