![One of the quaint Christmas Markets of Europe [Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/10/19/660x290/b_502x220x82/one-of-the-quaint-christmas-markets-of-europe-image-by-albrecht-fietz-from-pixabay_2341677.jpg "One of the quaint Christmas Markets of Europe [Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay]")
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, when families and friends get together, buy each other wonderful gifts, drink too much eggnog and mulled wine, and eat too much food. This year, you can try a different kind of Christmas by heading to Europe and browsing these famous Christmas markets.
Noël aux Bastions in Parc des Bastions, Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland is a beautiful city at any time of the year. However, it really comes alive during the festive season, with several excellent Christmas markets to explore. The market in Bastions Park is one of the best, where local artisans and artists sell their ware, along with delicious treats, cheese fondue, an ice rink and a fun carousel for the kids. The market runs each year from December 4 to December 31.
Maria Theresien Street Christmas Market, Innsbruck, Austria
Throughout the year, Maria Theresien Street is the main street for shopping in Innsbruck, with upmarket boutiques and more. However, the festive season makes the street sparkle with lights and pretty stalls selling quality international gifts. Other stalls sell tempting treats to enjoy on the spot or to take home with you. A must is to try out the Glühwein (mulled wine) to warm up on a chilly winter’s day. The Christmas market runs every year from November 25, all the way through to January 6.
‘Wantermaart’ (Winter Market) in the Place de la Constitution Luxembourg
Enjoy a ride on a Ferris wheel among the twinkling festive lights at the Place de la Constitution in the heart of the city. Explore the wooden huts, with their tempting gifts, including candles, decorations, toys and sweets, or dine on Grillwurscht (grilled sausage) or Mettwurscht (Luxembourgish sausage), served with delicious Gromperekichelcher (potato pancakes), all washed down with some warming Glühwäin (mulled wine).
Velvet Cave Christmas Market, Valkenburg, Netherlands.
Valkenburg has a number of fascinating manmade caves, dug out by the Romans for marlstone. Each Christmas the town throws two Christmas Markets, one in the Velvet Cave (Fluweelengrot) pictured here and the other in the Municipal Cave (Gemeentegrot). The tunnels come alive with color, lights and decorations, along with stalls selling the perfect traditional gifts, tasty food, punch and more. Visitors can also enjoy a lovely nativity scene in the Municipal Cave.
Dickens Festival & Christmas Market, Deventer, Netherlands
For something truly unique, we stay in the Netherlands and visit the Dickens Festival in Deventer. Held on December 14 and 15, the town is full of more than 950 Dickens characters including, naturally, Scrooge. Christmas carollers and vagabonds roam the streets, music plays, and the shops stay open the whole time. The Christmas Market itself is held on the 15th and features a range of stalls selling the perfect gift item, as well as tasty hot food and punch.
