Christmas is considered to be a season of richness and festivity and Christmas traditions involve decorating houses, setting up a Christmas tree and sitting down to a sumptuous Christmas dinner. Christmas is also one of the most important shopping seasons in the world and stores, malls and markets offer an array of goods at discounted prices in December. If you are looking to do some Christmas shopping, here is a list of the ten best Christmas markets around the world that sell Christmas decorations, cribs, statuettes, lights, Christmas paraphernalia, presents and delicious Christmas goodies.

1. The Cologne Christmas market draws over a million tourists each year to its six market sections, of which the largest and most impressive is the Cathedral market with its imposing backdrop of the Gothic cathedral. Visitors will find everything from lights to Christmas cookies here.

2. The Nuremberg market is yet another German market. The market at Nuremberg is one of the most beautiful Christmas markets you will ever find.

3. The Dresden market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Germany. It is a few centuries old and this fact only adds to the richness of its product range.

4. The Vienna Christmas market is about seven hundred years old. Set amidst the square across the town hall, the park surrounding the market adds to its beauty. Visitors will find beautiful Christmas ornaments on sale here.

5. The Brussels market in the historic Grand Place offers excellent Christmas goodies. Belgian chocolate, steamed snails and hard gingerbread are popular with visitors.

6. The Prague Christmas market features concerts, folklore and a petting zoo where children can touch and pet farm animals. As per the local tradition, visitors are expected to taste mulled wine as they pass through the stalls. Traditional wares include Babushka dolls and Bohemian crystal.

7. The Copenhagen market in Tivoli Gardens is well decorated with plenty of Christmas trees. The lake in the city is turned into a skating rink during this season. This market features costumed characters like leprechauns and Father Christmas.

8. The Chicago market in Daley Plaza draws over a million visitors each year and is America’s biggest and best Christmas market. The architectural beauty of Chicago adds to the charm of this market. Visitors will find that shopping in this market is relatively less expensive in comparison with some European markets.

9. The Christmas market in Quebec City, Canada ensures visitors a white Christmas with sledge rides, ice skating and mulled wine adding to the celebrations.

10. The Christmas market in the Piazza Navona in Rome brings in a medieval Roman flavour to the Christmas shopping experience. Seasonal Italian cakes like torrone, biscotti and pandoro are sold in this market.

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Bruges Christmas : What’s included
• Luxury Coach Travel
• P&O or Sea France Cruise.
• Bruges Christmas Market.

Prices
Adult £39.99 GBP
Child (under 12 years) £34.99

Departure Dates

Depart                                       Return

27 November 2010                      27 November 2010

04 December 2010                     04 December 2010

11 December 2010                     11 December 2010

18 December 2010                     18 December 2010

Tour Itinerary
The Belgians know how to do Christmas! Come along and see for yourself! To get you in the Christmas spirit, Belgium’s lovely city Bruges has a gorgeous, long-established Christmas Market.

Crowds travel from all over Europe to sample the delights of the market: many gift stalls, and food and drink stalls will impress you, and to see the beautiful lighting too. In addition to the Christmas Market, there is a large ice rink in the centre. You can also do your Christmas shopping in the many streets surrounding the market area. How about some real Belgian choccies for mum? When you’ve finished your shopping, many traditional bars and restaurants will impress you.

Take the coach from your desired pick-up point. We then drive down to Dover, where we board the Ferry. From Calais we make our way to Bruges (Belgium). Spend the day at your leisure, taking in the really Christmassy atmosphere. By early evening we meet up, get on the coach and head home; arriving back late in the evening.

Modern, comfortable air-conditioned coach with entertainment facilities and loo (emergency only).
Frequent en-route stops for smokers.

Pick Up Points
05:30 Clapham Junction, Falcon Road
05:40 Victoria Station, Bressenden Place
05:50 Waterloo Station, Waterloo Road
06:00 Elephant And Castle, New Kent Road
06:20 Lewisham High Street, Police Station
07:15 M20 Junction 8, Maidstone Service Station Coach Park
08:10 Dover Ferry Dock

Return Time: Approximately to Dover 21:00

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London – Brussels (Belgium) – London

Christmas Market Brussels Day Trip : What’s included

• Luxury Coach Travel

• P&O or Sea France Cruise

• Brussels Christmas Market.

Prices

Adult  £44.99

Child (under 12 years)  £39.99

Departure Dates

Depart                                       Return

27 November 2010                      27 November 2010

04 December 2010                     04 December 2010

11 December 2010                     11 December 2010

18 December 2010                     18 December 2010

Tour Itinerary

Belgium’s capital city hosts a wonderful traditional Christmas Market each year with cheerful lights, delicious aromas and an immense number of stalls that deliver a true Christmassy atmosphere. In addition to the Christmas Market, the ice skating rink offers fun for all (there is also a separate small skating rink inviting toddlers to enjoy this wonderful winter sport too). The Grand Place is decorated in stunning festive lights for the occasion – don’t miss out!

The Trip Manager will welcome you aboard at your pick-up point and then we enjoy the drive down to Dover, where we board the Ferry. From Calais, we head towards Brussels where you can spend the long afternoon at your leisure taking in the sights and sounds of the city. We leave the city at early evening time and make our way home.

Pick Up Points
05:00 Clapham Junction, Falcon Road
05:10 Victoria Station, Bressenden Place
05:20 Waterloo Station, Waterloo Road
05:30 Elephant And Castle, New Kent Road
05:50 Lewisham High Street, Police Station
06:40 M20 Junction 8, Maidstone Service Station Coach Park
07:20 Dover Ferry Dock

Return Time: Approximately to Dover 21:30

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