A real Christmas market - the air thick with the scents of mulled wine, spiced gingerbread and hot sausages – is a classic festive experience. Forget the sad clutch of tinsel-clad huts that we have in the UK, and head to atmospheric cities such as Cologne, Prague and Munich – proof that Christmas shopping really can be about pleasure rather than pain. 
Recommended tour operator: Fred.\
Fred.\ says
Europe’s Christmas markets are a lovely way to get into the festive spirit by combining a city break with a shopping trip to stock up on hand-made decorations, foodie goodies such as Lebkuchen ginger bread and unique Christmas presents.
As a specialist in Christmas markets, we have a range of short break packages to Christmas market destinations across Europe. Each town features hundreds of beautifully decorated festive stalls where local craftspeople and stall-holders show off their wares.
We feature hand-picked Christmas market breaks throughout Germany and in 21 cities throughout the rest of Europe, from Copenhagen to Venice.
Whether you are looking for a gourmet, romantic or pure shopping experience, we can find the right Christmas market short break for you. As well as the traditional and well known Christmas markets such as Cologne, Munich and Prague, we also feature less well-known markets in smaller towns such as Freiburg, Koblenz and Wiesbaden.
All of our short break packages include return flights and two nights’ accommodation in a hotel on a bed and breakfast basis – if you wish to stay for longer, or experience a two or three centre stay over more nights, then we can tailor-make this for you as well.
Prices start from just £159 per person for a two night trip to Prague, for example, including return flights. The Christmas market season generally starts in mid-November.
Fred.\’s team of specialists really know their stuff – most were with the German specialist, Dertour, which has now been taken over by Fred. Olsen Travel.
Find out more about our Christmas market breaks.
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