Make this most ‘wonderful time of the year’ even more wonderful with a quick getaway that ticks travel and Christmas shopping off your list.
Stereotypically, Dubai may not seem like the most festive place on the planet, although there are more activities and decorations around town than we have seen previously, so if you’re looking for a boost of holiday spirit, these are the markets worth hopping on a plane for.
Vienna, Austria
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The Austrian capital has a lot of experience with setting up some great Christmas markets, after all the first one can be dated back to 1298. City Hall should be your first stop for a traditional atmosphere and 151 stalls to work through
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Winter Wonders, Brussels, Belgium
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You’ll need to dedicate a whole day or two exploring the many activities that the Winter Wonders market in Brussels has to offer. From 200 chalets keeping you fed and watered, to ice skating and a Ferris wheel, you can really get lost in the Christmas spirit.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, New York
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Have you seen Home Alone 2? Clearly the Big Apple knows how to do Christmas with some of the best decorations in the world dotted up and down the city. Bryant Park is our top pick as the market has plenty of stalls, an impressive Christmas tree and an ice rink.
Winter Wonderland, London
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What once was a small selection of shops at the bottom of Hyde Park has now turned into a mass wonderland of funfair rides, rollercoasters, Bavarian food halls, and of course wooden shops selling everything you could imagine. We suggest heading there in the morning as by evening, particularly on weekends, they tend to stop people coming in due to overcrowding.
Munich, Germany
A charming setting and an intimate environment makes the Munich Christmas market held in Marienplatz seem tame in comparison to others, but that’s exactly why we love it. Shop for one-of-a-kind ornaments and gifts and indulge in Bavarian hearty hospitality.
