AUSTRIA

Step into the joy of the holidays with the beautiful streets of Vienna as your backdrop. Punch and chestnut stands draw customers with seasonal treats and stallholders get shoppers in the holiday spirit with handcrafted goods. The Christmas Markets in Vienna truly are an age-old tradition. The forerunners of the present-day events date back to the Middle Ages when in 1298 Albrecht the First granted Vienna's citizens the privilege of holding a December Market, or Krippenmarkt.

CZECH REPUBLIC

The Prague Christmas markets are held at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with smaller markets at Republic Square and Havel's market. The markets consist of brightly decorated wooden huts selling traditional handcrafted products such as intricate glassware and jewelry, embroidered lace, wooden toys, beautifully dressed puppets and dolls, Christmas tree ornaments, and an array of other seasonal gifts and treats.

FRANCE

The largest Paris Christmas market, with wooden huts where local traders sell their homemade handicrafts and trinkets, stretches from the Champs-Elysées around to the Place de la Concorde. See the atmospheric Christmas market at La Défense near the Grand Arche, and at Montparnasse Tower you will find a quaint market that specializes in regional French delicacies. Don't miss a visit to see the beautiful Place des Abbesses Christmas market, which is nestled in the heart of the charming Montmartre neighborhood.

GERMANY

Berlin’s Charlottenburg Castle Christmas Market is immersed for 35 days in a special romantic light, and a unique ensemble is created with approximately 150 vendors from all over Germany, as well as abroad. At Munich’s famous Marienplatz, travelers can enjoy traditional Bavarian goodies while surrounded by historic buildings including the New and Old Town Halls. Frankfurt offers handmade trinkets, crafts and local culinary specials including hot apple wine and Bethmännchen cookies in the historic old square of Römerberg. Dresden’s markets date back into the 15th century and the Striezelmarkt offers unique features and events such as the Plaumentoffel – a doll likened to a chimney sweep made out of prunes – and the largest Christmas Pyramid in the country.

HUNGARY

The Christmas markets of Budapest offer an authentic Hungarian experience with folk art and handcrafts. Stalls offer gifts including glass blown works, knitwear and traditional Hungarian embroidery. Visitors can drink mulled wine, eat traditional streets foods such as sausage and enjoy pastries know as chimney cakes. They'll be dazzled by the beautiful main markets in Vorosmarty Square and near St. Stephen's Basilica, plus smaller markets throughout the city.

ITALY

Rome's Baroque square, Piazza Navona is transformed into the city's most traditional Christmas market. Browse beautiful stands selling handicrafts, nativity figures and decorations or enjoy a real Italian yuletide delicacy such as biscotti or roasted chestnuts. Father Christmas and a fantastic carousel will delight the children and a large nativity scene add an extra festive touch. Plus, on the eve of January 5th, La Befana (the good witch known in Italian stories) visits, leaving gifts for all the children.