by Winter Romance, Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg’s Christmas markets are among the best and there are plenty of them too, with at least 10 top ones throughout the season. The Salzburg Advent Festival (December 1-17) in the Great Festival Hall, Residenzplatz, is a memorable spectacle and highly recommended. With snow falling most winters, the city has that beautiful romantic winter atmosphere. And the best of all is a horse-drawn carriage ride through the snowy landscape, wrapped in a blanket and with a hot drink in hand. Especially perfect for a couple’s getaway.
Colin Snoad
Advice from Guardian Travel readers
Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their trips. A selection of advice will be presented online and may appear in print. To enter the latest contest, visit the Reader Tips home page.
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Smoking to York
Beautiful York comes to life at Christmas. All the narrow streets are decorated and the independent shops invite you to enter with mulled wine. There is a Christmas market selling European delicacies alongside the makers’ market stalls. York Minster is illuminated with warm colors and is very cozy with all the decoration inside. We traveled by steam train from Liverpool to York, with Santa and her elves serving a three-course dinner. We booked it through Railway Touring Company – a lovely day out.
lesley hall
Frozen waterfall and a million lights, Black Forest, Germany
For a short festive city break, I would recommend Triberg and the Triberger Weihnachtszauber Christmas event in the Black Forest region. A giant Christmas tree? Check. One of the highest waterfalls in Germany, often frozen at this time? Check. A big nativity scene? Check. Live music? Yes. Christmas lights? They have a million of them! Passing through a starry sky entrance, you’ll be treated to a beautifully lit bell tower, fairground rides and winter landscapes. There’s a snowflake trail through the lantern forest, a waterfall trail with a light tunnel, as well as a nature stage and castle maze to entertain those of all ages. And don’t miss the Alphorn blowers to complete the experience.
From €25, from December 25 to 30, from 2 to 9 p.m., triberger-weihnachtszauber.de
melina
Hee-haw-ho-ho-ho, Sidmouth, Devon
Sidmouth in Devon is magical at Christmas, but for a special and enjoyable event, the carol service (December 8) at the Donkey Sanctuary fills your heart with peace as you sing surrounded by the gentle snorting of donkeys. These gentle creatures seem to know they are taking part in something special, and it feels very Christmassy, with everyone in a good mood.
beverly
Medieval charm, Heidelberg, Germany
Last year my wife and I took a short Christmas vacation in Heidelberg, between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. Visiting Heidelberg during Christmas is a magical experience, as this picturesque city is transformed into a winter wonderland. The old town is adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The Christmas market was much less crowded when we visited than other German alternatives and the wooden stalls offer handmade crafts, seasonal treats and mulled wine. Heidelberg Castle provides a stunning backdrop to the snowy landscape. You can warm yourself with a cup of hot water. glúhwein in a quaint cafe while enjoying traditional Christmas music. The combination of medieval architecture, holiday spirit and the beauty of the resort make Heidelberg a truly enchanting destination.
mike l
A walk through Saint-Omer, France
We loved visiting Saint-Omer, home of the La Goudale brewery, where we tried the wonderful Nòel beer. There is a good selection of bars to enjoy around the market square, which is beautifully decorated for Christmas, and plenty of places to buy hot crepes if you get hungry after a drink. Northern French cuisine is a must at Le St Charles, where there are reasonably priced dishes such as herb-crusted cod fillet, parmesan risotto, peas muslin. A morning walk will take you past the ruins of L’Abbaye St Bertin, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the wonderfully ornate Jardins Public.
Kevin
Behind the Venetian walls, Bergamo, Italy
It’s not Rome or Venice, but Bergamo has its own charm and is a beautiful destination that offers history, culture and beauty. Take the funicular to the highest point in the city, the Città Alta, surrounded by 16th-century Venetian walls. It is a fantastic place to enjoy the architecture, cobbled streets, cafes and charming squares such as Piazza Vecchia. In December it has a wonderful Christmas market offering local delicacies amidst beautiful festive lighting. We ate in a small trattoria with freshly made spaghetti and sauces from recipes passed down from generation to generation. The lower town, Città Bassa, offers fashion shops from Dior to Zara and has a great atmosphere and plenty to see and do. If you fancy a trip, Como is an hour away by train.
tracie kennedy
Girls’ holiday weekend, Malaga, Spain
A girls’ trip before Christmas to Malaga was a real pleasure. It was warm enough to sit outside and have cocktails on the harbor while searching for Christmas gifts at the market. Back into the city through the lovely Parque de Málaga, where there were many more Christmas stalls. We then visited the pedestrian Calle Larios to see the musical Christmas light show, ending the day with excellent wine and tapas at Casa Lola. The next day we had lunch at a restaurant in Plaza de la Merced, where there was a picturesque Sunday market, and visited the Atarazanas dining room followed by a refreshing drink at the AC Málaga Palacio rooftop bar.
katie
Bath feels like another country
Maybe this is too cliché, but my favorite city to visit before Christmas is Bath. Getting there from Manchester is like going to another country: it is very beautiful and full of Christmas markets and street musicians. It also helps me fulfill my mission to never shop at horrible chain stores with glaring lighting. Bath has lots of independent shops where it’s fun to shop for gifts. And at night the restaurants are very lively and the Ustinov Studio usually offers something that is not a pantomime. I think the place is a little expensive, but if you want to spend a vacation, it’s a pleasure.
Sara Collings
Winning Tip: Thermal Spa and Flaming Punch, Konstanz, Germany
Using Konstanz as a base, we spent a truly Christmassy long weekend in Bodensee in southern Germany last December. Constanta fills its atmospheric old town with a rustic Christmas market that stretches to the lakeshore. Don’t miss the Feuerzangenbowle flaming punch or the raclette (a plate of melted cheese and potatoes). There’s also a fabulous lakeside thermal spa, perfect for soaking in warm water outdoors while the snow falls. We took the ferry to Meersburg to see more beautiful buildings and twinkling lights, and don’t miss Lindau, a beautiful old town on an island with another festive market and great taste in Christmas lights.
Martha
