The Magical Christmas Markets of Europe
By Tully Luxury Travel | 11-09-2022 |
This holiday season, indulge your holiday spirit with a festive adventure to the European Christmas markets. The architecture in places like Prague, Vienna and Budapest take your breath away at the best of times – imagine how beautiful they are during the festive season!
Festive Delights in Vienna
The streets of Vienna make for an incredible holiday backdrop to your market adventure. Chestnuts are definitely roasting on more than a few open fires. The markets here are an age-old tradition – some dating back to the Middle Ages. Visitors to Vienna can find more than 20 different markets to indulge their Christmas spirit, many of them anchored to the public spaces fronting some of the city’s elegant buildings.
The Viennese Dream Market in front of City Hall is a holiday dream come true. The Christmas villages at Belvedere Palace and on Maria Theresien Square impress with culinary offerings and decoration stalls. Handicrafts fill the kiosks at Schönbrunn Palace, while the scent of hot punch fills the air. After a day at the markets, tuck yourself into the luxury trimmings at The Rosewood Vienna or the Park Hyatt Vienna.
Traditional Treats in Prague
The festive magic in the Czech Republic’s capital city runs from late November to early January – the Christmas markets even open on Christmas Day. The main markets are situated at the Old Town Square and in Wenceslas Square right in the center of the city, both within walking distance of each other. The large Christmas market at Prague Castle in front of St. George’s Basilica is as pretty as a picture.
Three smaller markets in Prague extend your festive list in a more home-style way. Expect ice skating, great foods, daily tree lighting ceremonies – even New Year’s Eve fireworks. The Tully Luxury Travel Designers will set you up in total comfort at luxury resorts like the Four Seasons Hotel Prague or the Mandarin Oriental Prague.
Holiday Magic in Budapest
Christmas markets in Budapest run from the middle of November through to December 31 each year. There’s a real effort here to focus on Hungarian folk art and traditions through handcrafts and culinary offerings. You shop the narrow alleys, finding little treasures, drinking mulled wine and enjoying
Hungarian pastries. Concerts on market stages provide the soundtrack.
The two main markets are the Christmas Fair Vorosmarty Square, the city’s oldest and most famous, plus the Christmas Market by Basilica, spread out in St. Stephen’s Square. The laser projections on the stone façade of the church make for an
eye-popping evening. The Ritz-Carlton Budapest or the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest are the Tully Luxury Travel choices for a holiday home base.
These cities are just a few examples of the types of holiday magic that’s yours to discover in Europe. Start the countdown now to the glistening lights, good cheer and festive fun.