Tag Archives: Christmas Markets

A Quirky Christmas Market in Paris

Christmas market and ultra-modern skyscrapers… not two terms that usually go together. I was in Paris last week for work. Having a few spare hours, I hopped on the metro to La Défense, largely for nostalgic reasons. (La Défense, as you might know, is the largest purpose-built business district in Europe). Back in the 90s, [...]

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Three Terrific Christmas Markets

A highlight in Europe this time of year is the cheerful (sometimes even magical) Christmas markets. I adore browsing through the arts and crafts for sale, and trying some of the hearty seasonal street food. And then there’s mulled wine. Here are three of my favourite Christmas markets: Elegant and child-friendly Vienna I’m very fond [...]

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La Befana, witches and Rome’s Christmas Markets

Forget Father Christmas and Santa Claus. In Rome, la befana rules. Christmas market at Piazza Navona A few years ago, on an impulse, I took my then 5-year-old to Rome a few days before Christmas. The main attraction at the Piazza Navona Christmas market seemed to be witches. They were everywhere, laughing wickedly, madly – [...]

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Wondrous Vienna

One of my favourite cities, Vienna is always elegant, but never more so than during Advent. Beginning in mid-November, the city puts on some of the best Christmas markets anywhere – just like she has for hundreds of years. Main Christmas markets venues are Rathausplatz (City Hall), Schloss Schönbrunn (childhood home of ill-fated French queen [...]

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Bratislava Christmas Market, wine & honey

Christmas markets in Bratislava

Bratislava is also cosy with Christmas spirit all around. Not the elegance of Vienna – which I think must be unequalled. But cosy. And there’s a marked difference. I do feel I’m in Eastern Europe; it still exists. Nice to know not everything is the same everywhere – yet. All kinds of things are on [...]

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Advent in Vienna

Vienna is one of my favourite cities; it’s just so seeped in old-world elegance. This time of the year, it’s almost magical with wonderful Christmas markets everywhere. The Christkindlmarkt in front of City Hall seems to emphasise Christmas decorations and wooden toys – all in the most wonderful vibrant colours. It couldn’t be the Glühwein [...]

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