It's the most wonderful time of the year and what better way to get in the festive mood than by visiting a Christmas market?Ben Parker and Simon Calder guide you through their pick of the best European Christmas markets, how to recreate the magic of Love Actually in London and how a trip to some colder cities closer to Santa's house can conjure up something a little different.
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00:00Welcome to Kings Cross and this episode of Travel Smart Weekly, the insider's
00:04travel guide from Independent TV. In this series we share our advice on the best
00:10destinations to visit worldwide and how to make the most of your travels around
00:15the world. In this episode we're looking at the most wonderful time of the year,
00:19Christmas, and how you can enjoy that most festive of things, a Christmas
00:23market.
00:30If you're staying in London you'll spoil for choice come the festive season when
00:34Christmas markets pop up all over town. Kings Cross Christmas Market, which takes
00:39place right here, is still something of a hidden gem.
00:45Tucked within the elevated industrial surrounds of Coal Drops Yard and
00:49Granary Square, twinkling lights shine over a mix of artisan stalls and live
00:53music, creating a nostalgic and memorable festive experience. Covent Garden's
00:59cobblestone streets are taken over by decorations, including its 60-foot tall
01:03tree wrapped by more than 30,000 lights, making it a brilliant and beautiful place
01:08to search for stocking fillers. Even a year-round favourite spot gets into the
01:12swing of things. Borough Market gets a Christmas makeover with colourful lights,
01:16tinsel and wreaths, and extended opening hours for that after-work shopping. It's
01:21one of my favourite places in London to pick up essentials for the Christmas
01:25cheese board. And of course the Thames itself never looks quite as magical as
01:30it does when South Bank is lit up like a Christmas tree. And in the Riverside
01:34Market you can pick up a gift or two while knocking back mulled wine. On the
01:39continent let's start with a real European Christmas cracker, Vienna. In the
01:46Austrian capital you're guaranteed an experience steeped in tradition against
01:51a brilliant backdrop of imperial architecture. The Rathausplatz Market is
02:00a celebration of craftsmanship, with stalls showcasing intricate wood carvings,
02:06ornate glass and hand-dipped candles. At the Schönbrunn Palace Market, in the
02:13courtyard of the Grand Baroque Landmark, there are almost 100 stalls selling
02:18anything from decorations to toys. Both are wonderfully perfumed by roasting
02:24chestnuts and the subtle sweetness of Viennese pastries, and you can keep warm
02:29with a cup of Weihnachtspunsch, a seasonal spiced punch. Together these
02:34markets comprise a sensory journey. Germany is another European nation with
02:40a deep-rooted Christmas market tradition, with each one reflecting its region's
02:44character. Nuremberg's Christkindles Market is perhaps the most famous,
02:52complete with centuries-old customs, like the angelic Christkind opening
02:56ceremony that sees a speech read from the balcony of the Frauenkirche Church.
03:00Cologne's Weihnachtsmarket, set against the towering Gothic Cathedral, draws
03:05international crowds with its dynamic setting, extensive stalls and its lively
03:10atmosphere. Munich's Marienplatz Market appeals to those who appreciate
03:14Bavarian culture, offering local specialties like Leibküchen and Mulled
03:18Wine under the glistening Rathaus. In Dresden, the Streisel Market, one of the
03:24oldest in Germany, is a magnet for families, with its enchanting fairy tale
03:28displays and giant Christmas pyramid. Finally, the smaller, picturesque market
03:33in Rottenburg offers a more intimate experience, where visitors can wander the
03:37medieval streets, savouring the charm of a town seemingly untouched by time.
03:45If you'd like a Christmas market somewhere different, try Zagreb.
03:53Zrinjevac Park, in the Croatian capital, has illuminated pavilions, classical
03:59music and a fairy tale setting.
04:05The Advent in Zagreb Market at Banjelecic Square is renowned for its
04:11lively atmosphere, packed with colourful stalls selling Croatian crafts and
04:16street food. Or you could try Tallinn, the medieval capital of Estonia. The event in
04:23Town Hall Square features a fantastically decorated tree and no
04:28shortage of handmade goodies, from gingerbread to knitwear. Just beyond the
04:34walls of the Old Town, the Linner Hall Christmas Market offers a more
04:38contemporary vibe, set in a Soviet-era venue. It can often be less crowded than
04:44the other markets, perfect if you need a breather from Christmas shopping.
04:50That's all from Kings Cross. The next episode of Travel Smart Weekly will be
04:54out soon, which you can watch online, on the Independence mobile app or on your
04:58smart TV. And for all the latest festive travel news, reviews and advice, check out
05:05www.independent.co.uk forward slash travel and do have a listen to my daily
05:10travel podcast.