Happy Thursday Hidden Gem Travel community! I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season and balancing the hectic schedule with time to enjoy the festivities. Hidden Gem Travel clients are preparing to head off for the last week of the year to Europe, Argentina, Thailand, Belize and more! I’m just back from Japan so will be home for the holidays.
Every holiday season, I fondly remember the years I’ve spent traveling in early December when I’ve experienced how European countries celebrate the holiday season. This year, less than two weeks ago, I was in Japan where holiday lights (called Illuminations), and believe it or not Christmas markets modeled after the European markets, were in many spots in Tokyo! While it’s a commercial exercise, many Japanese families were out on the weekend to enjoy the markets, lights, and take family photos.
If you love holiday decorations and traditions – and love to travel in Europe – I highly recommend a trip in December to see the sparkle and experience the honored tradition of Christmas markets. I guarantee that you will come home in the holiday spirit, and BONUS with special gifts for your loved ones.
You can base your stay in one (or two) cities. Or better yet, take a Christmas market themed river cruise and stop at a new place every day with its own Christmas market not far from the ship. Read on for the scoop on Christmastime in Europe based on my past trips…
The Christmas Market Experience
Every holiday season, Christmas markets throughout Europe bring sparkling lights, festive music, and decorated wooden chalets where vendors sell hand-crafted ornaments and tasty treats in local town squares.
The holiday tradition began in medieval Germany with a more practical focus: allowing townspeople to stock up on goods for the winter. In the mid-1400s, the markets added Christmas wares, and today many towns celebrate the start of Advent with the opening of their Christmas markets.
There’s delicious food (and drinks) at Germany’s famous Christmas markets. Some of the best are maronen (roasted chestnuts), gebrannte mandeln (burnt almonds) and lebkuchenherz (gingerbread heart). Strolling, snacking, sipping, and shopping with friends – what’s not to love?
In Germany, be sure to visit the Christmas markets in Munich, Nuremberg, Cologne, Dresden, Frankfurt, and Berlin.
💎Hidden Gem Tip: Timing note – many Christmas Markets close on Christmas Eve.
Best Christmas Markets
Beyond Germany, some of the most festive European Christmas Markets include…
- Vienna, Austria (Christmas markets are found all over the city!)
- Strasbourg & Paris, France
- Brussels, Belgium
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Zagreb, Croatia
- Basel, Switzerland
- Milan, Italy
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Budapest, Hungary
- Edinburgh, Scotland
Also, these cities and their hotels are wonderfully decked with holiday cheer and festivities. I can build a special holiday-themed experience around any of these beautiful destinations for you next December.
Plan Now for 2026
The photo of me above was taken in hidden gem, Regensburg, Germany. Did you know that Christmas Markets each have their own unique mug? After you’ve enjoyed your beverage, you can return the mug to the seller or purchase it as a sourvenir.
Interested in a trip next holiday season? Plan now for 2026 if you want to consider a river cruise. They are so popular that they book well in advance, and river cruise ships have limited capacity. Book now and bring others with you. The more family and friends, the merrier!
To travel is to live… here’s to 2026 being an unforgettable and amazing year for new travel adventures! Let’s go…
Susan
