Xmas markets

[Phil H]

We went to the Bruges Christmas market about 3 years ago and although it was very busy we loved it. We drove across and stayed at the Van der Valk hotel ( https://www.hotelbrugge-oostkamp.be/ ) which was fine, and drove into town where there's a convenient car park that's just a short walk from the centre.

PH

 

[rivarama]

I have been travelling to Germany / Austria (amongst othe EU countries) at a rate of 2 to 3 visits a month for the past 3 years.
Here are some of the best Christmas markets in my view
- Vienna is one of the best
- Bonn
- Stuttgart (loads to visit as well for the petroheads in the family)
- Hamburg
- Munich
- Nuremberg
- Leipzig
- Koln


Outside of DE/AT, Strasbourg and Bruges are v nice too. Colmar isn’t bad either from what I heard but I have never been to that one

 

[Contigo]

Cologne one is fantastic under the Cathedral. Great gifts.

Winchester is worth a visit too.

Manchester is crowded and cramped.

Bath is small.

 

[lifes2short]

Winchester is worth a visit too.

Did Winchester I think about 3 years ago now, it was good and even took the dog, remember having some Penne Arabiata in the Italian restaurant, asked the waiter for some for the dog less the chillies and they came back with a full plate for him, he didn't even chew them, just swallowed them in about 5 seconds

 

[MrPea]

I'll third Strasbourg for the Christmas market and a pretty city. 'Twas just rather a shame about the lass I was with.

 

[mikem]

Dusseldorf Christmas market.

 

[Wanderer]

Lincoln too I think

 

[lifes2short]

many thanks to all that came up with ideas/recommendations, looks like it's Brussels and Bruges this year and with a few more family members tagging along, might have to conveniently forget my wallet

 

[BigBob52]

Just go to Brugge and put her on a boat whilst you go for a drive! It's beautiful both ways!

 

[lifes2short]

Just go to Brugge and put her on a boat whilst you go for a drive! It's beautiful both ways!

that would have been a fab idea, except she now wants to hire a 12 seat mini bus and I'm the nominated chauffeur, I wonder how a hand brake turn works on an empty minibus

 

[BigBob52]

...you could always go by train?

 

[lifes2short]

mentioned that and it was a no go, cant remember why because I had switched off by then, I did suggest a nice 2 car convoy but that was a no go as well

 

[BigBob52]

Rent a local mini bus with a Ferrari upgrade. Local taxis are marvellous for the others. It is real difficult parking in the centre ;-)

 

[BigBob52]

Life REALLY is too short: look here.
https://rentluxecar.com/auto/bmw-i8-2

 

[lifes2short]

Rent a local mini bus with a Ferrari upgrade. Local taxis are marvellous for the others. It is real difficult parking in the centre ;-)

The original idea was to book the wonderful looking hotel CatmanV2 recommended for just the 2 of us, that's all gone to pot now, she's now threatening to leave me behind with the dog unless I tow the line and pander to her requests, which didn't sound like a bad idea to me actually, women, you cant live with em and you cant live without em

 

[lifes2short]

Life REALLY is too short: look here.
https://rentluxecar.com/auto/bmw-i8-2

2700 euros for 3 days

 

[dickygrace]

I didn’t think men went to Christmas markets, but it appears some do. I must be lucky but my wife would never even suggest it. If I was forced to go, I’d do Bruges as the beer is 9% and you’d not know where you were after 3 pints.

 

[lifes2short]

I didn’t think men went to Christmas markets, but it appears some do

you have to be part of that very exclusive "under the thumb club"

 

[dickygrace]

you have to be part of that very exclusive "under the thumb club"

Yours can’t be that bad if you own a Maserati.

 

[MarkMas]

Riyadh is nice that time of year...