Are your clients dreaming of vacationing in a festive European winter wonderland?
Fortunately, plenty of places in Europe are unlocking their doors to tourism this holiday season. We’ve rounded up five of the best winter destinations in Europe to help your clients make the most of the festivities.
Zurich, Switzerland
Fully vaccinated Americans may travel to Switzerland this winter, where they’re spoiled for choice when it comes to holiday offerings. Zurich, for example, transforms into a winter wonderland during the holidays with classic decorations, light installations and fondue pop-ups. There’s fun for the whole family with ice skating, toboggan runs and traditional events such as candle-dipping at the Burkliplatz town square.
Little ones can even hop onboard the “Marlitram” fairytale tram, where “angels” will read them Christmas stories as they traverse the city. Zurich also hosts a number of holiday markets, such as the Christkindlimarkt at Zurich Main Station, which features a 32-foot-tall Christmas tree adorned with thousands of sparkling Swarovski crystals. Another highlight is the Old Town’s open-air winter village, the Christmas Market Dorfli in Niederdorf, where visitors are sure to find everything from warm waffles to genuine Basel lackerli (aka gingerbread).
Nearby, the Graubunden region of Switzerland is another popular place for seasonal activities. The magnificent mountain region is home to the Lenzerheide Magic Forest, a festival of lights, art, music and food. Just nearby is the world’s longest treetop walk, which will transform into a winter wonderland.
Budapest, Hungary
The Hungarian government has no plans to bring back a lockdown this winter, which will draw tons of tourists to the capital city of Budapest. Budapest is one fin-de-siecle (end-of-century) city with two idiosyncratic personalities of once-separated regions: the placated peaks of Buda, and the pulsating Pest. They’re linked by eight bridges across the Danube River and a national identity complicated by centuries of conflict and reform.
Budapest is one of the most festive Christmas destinations.
Credit: 2021 eyetronic/stock.adobe.comOne result of Budapest’s unique background is its epic ruin bars, such as Szimpla Kert and Instant-Fogas, where travelers could ring in the new year. Clients can then soak off any holiday hangovers in one of the city’s Baroque thermal baths.
Particularly appealing during the winter season is the chance to ice skate at City Park and visit the Advent and Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square, which is the largest in the city.
The Loire Valley, France
Paris is certainly a popular place to spend the holidays, as the Eiffel Tower twinkles brighter than any tree out there. But more curious travelers may be interested in “Christmas in the Land of Chateaux” in France’s Loire Valley instead.
The iconic chateau-dotted region is bathed in twinkling lights and glittering garland in December, the most magical time of year there. That’s because historic castles such as Chateau de Chenonceau, Chateau Royal d’Amboise, Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Villandry and Chateau de Cheverny will be decked out in decor and displays to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year.
Nuremberg, Germany
Germany is world-renowned for its holiday markets — namely, Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt, Europe’s best-known holiday market and the first to become a global attraction. Christkindlesmarkt is characterized by rows of cabins, fairytale-like stalls, old-fashioned carousels and an illuminated cathedral encircled by medieval architecture. And it smells delightfully of Nurnberger lebkuchen (spicy gingerbread cookies) and sizzling bratwurst.
Dresden, though not close by, is another notable German hot spot for the holidays. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt is recognized as the first-known holiday market in the world, established in 1434. This means it has centuries-old traditions, including Dresden Christstollen, a bread baked with candied fruits. Plus, nutcrackers originate in these Saxony towns, where wood carving has long been the primary industry.
To see all the sites, tour operator G Adventures recently debuted its first Christmas market tours in Europe that take guests all around Germany and beyond. The weeklong tour kicks off in Berlin and eventually ends in Vienna.
Valencia, Spain
In Valencia, Central Market is the most traditional city Christmas Market with sweet treats and souvenirs galore. Meanwhile, the Colon Market has everything from leather goods and wooden toys to jewelry and ceramics. And the Nativity Market is where visitors will find accessories for their own Nativity scenes. Travelers can also admire Nativity scenes at Valencia’s Plaza del Ayuntamiento, cathedral, Ceramics Museum and at other spots around the city.
In December, the oft-frequented City of Arts and Sciences hosts more than a dozen vendors. And Valencia, like much of the rest of Spain, has its own Three Kings Parade parade, which commemorates the day Magi arrived to worship baby Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew.
