'Tis the season: The best Christmas markets to celebrate the season of giving this year
Now is the perfect time to plan a trip to a Christmas event either in the UK or abroad. Travel for the Yuletide fun of it or go with the aim of stocking up on suitably festive presents for friends and family. Christmas markets, of course, are perfect for this.
In the UK, if it's fun you're after, where better to head for than London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which is celebrating its fifth year with a new ice rink (the annual appearance of ice rinks in London has become a modern phenomenon).
The Hyde Park event runs from Friday, November 18 to Tuesday, January 3 and is open from 10am to 10pm every day, apart from the first day when it opens at 5pm.
Sparkles galore: Tree decorations on sale at the Reims Christmas Market
Since its launch, the Winter Wonderland (www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com; 0844 858 6755) has drawn in eight million visitors, becoming the capital's most popular winter event.
With attractions set out over 20 acres of historic parkland, celebrity fans including Prince Harry, Kate Moss and Liz Hurley have enjoyed the festivities.
At night the ice rink will have 108,000 lights suspended above it, creating a magical atmosphere for skaters.
Festive fun: The Big Wheel and merry-go-round at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
Other favourite spectacles making a return include the Giant Observation Wheel and the beautiful Angels Christmas Market. The market will feature mor! e than 1 00 wooden chalets offering gifts, including ceramics, candles, glasswork, jewellery, clothing and beauty products. A number will also feature traditional Christmas items such as wooden toys, nativity scenes and decorations.
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Last year, Father Christmas handed out more than 50,000 presents to children in Santa Land, and he will make a return this year as a popular free attraction. Zippos Circus also returns with two new shows.
All lit up: There will be more than 120 stalls in the market in Bath
Zippos Christmas Circus, starring Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and friends, is on in the afternoons for all the family, while an evening show, Zippos Cirque Extreme, is for older thrill seekers.
Another growing force in the Christmas scene is Bath where an annual market (www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk) runs from November 24 to December 11.
The area between the stunning Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths is transformed into a shoppers' haven. In the heart of Bath's main shopping district, 129 chalets adorn the streets, offering handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food.
Among the ever-popular Continental Christmas markets are the! ones in Hamburg. This year markets there run from November 21 to December 31.
The north German city claims that nowhere else in the country has so many Christmas markets in such close proximity. From the main station to the town hall a route of less than a mile there are five different ones waiting to be discovered.
The nostalgic Historical Christmas Market, with its old-fashioned lanes, is a big attraction. More than three million people flock to the square outside the town hall to sample the glhwein (mulled wine) or to watch Father Christmas fly over the roofs of the market stalls, which are brimming with toys and sweets.
Children can go skating on Europe's largest artificial open-air ice rink at the Indoor Arena in Planten un Blomen Park.
And the Alster steamboats are transformed into magical fairytale ships in an event fast becoming a tradition. On Jungfernstieg waterfront, children can bake cookies onboard the boats, make their own Christmas gifts or take part in theatrical events.
Magical: The stalls in Lille, France glitter while shopper admire the site
The French city of Lille, 80 minutes by high-speed Eurostar train from London's St Pancras International, is also gearing up its attractions, which include Christmas carols in the Grand Place, followed by a ride on the big wheel overlooking the exquisitely decorated city with its snow village and 60ft Christmas tree.
Sample roasted chestnuts, gingerbread and mulled wine and enjoy a gourmet experience in the city's traditional restaurants.
FESTIVE RHINELAND MARKETS
Holiday spirit: Stalls at Hamburg Rathausmarkt square in Germany
Shearings Holidays (www.! shearing s. com) is offering a four-night Festive Rhineland Markets break from just 199 saving up to 90pp on the brochure price.
You spend four nights on a halfboard basis at the Hotel Pinger, in Germany's Remagen. Highlights include a scenic railway journey to Limburg market and visits to the Christmas markets of Koblenz and Bonn. Return luxury coach travel is included. Departures are available for the rest of November and December.
CHRISTMAS FIZZ
Grape Escapes (www.grapeescapes.net, 08456 430 860) is offering a Prestige Christmas Market Weekend from December 9-11.
The two-night trip will mix Champagne vineyard tours with Reims' famous Christmas market, making it an ideal pre-festive break.
Prices for the weekend start at 310pp including return Dover to Calais ferry crossings with P&O Ferries for a car and two passengers, two nights' B&B accommodation, a full-day tour and a four-course lunch.
WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN
Sail from Harwich and visit Copenhagen's famous Tivoli Gardens at the most magical time of year. With an outdoor ice rink and beautifully decorated Christmas market stalls, this is the perfect break to get those all important stocking fillers and quirky Christmas gifts. Browse the Danish Christmas decor, winter woollies, handicrafts, artwork and homewares.
With two nights in the four-star Square Hotel in Copenhagen, you'll have plenty of time to sample the food and drinks that the Tivoli Gardens Christmas markets are famous for.
Fun for all: Tivoli Gardens feature an outdoor ice rink and Danish decor
Prices are from 360pp based on two sharing. This includes two nights in an en suite cabin and two nights in the Square Hotel with breakfast and coach transfers, plus entry to Tivoli Gard! ens.
It departs on December 14.
For more information, visit www.dfds.co.uk/festive, or call 0871 882 0885.
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