European Traveler » Christmas

Best Christmas Markets and Winter Festivals in Belgium

Henk Bekker — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:47:54 +0000

Brussels, Bruges, Antwerpen, and Ghent have some of the largest and best Christmas markets (Kerstmarkten) in Belgium. Especially the Pleasures of Winter in Brussels and the Snow and Ice Sculptures Festival in Bruges are well worth visiting. Most Christmas markets in Belgium are open on December 24 and 31, Christmas and New Year's Day but with slightly shorter opening hours.

Christmas and New Year’s Day-Cruises on the Rhine from Cologne in Germany

Henk Bekker — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:25:00 +0000

Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) offers many day-trip sightseeing pleasure cruises on the Rhine during the advent and Christmas market period. Special New Year’s Day party boats also sail from Cologne.

Christmas Market and New Year’s Eve Rhine Boats from Düsseldorf

Henk Bekker — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:18:06 +0000

KD Rhine riverboats cruise from Düsseldorf on sightseeing, dinner, and party excursions during the Christmas market period and on New Year’s Eve. More departures are possible from nearby Cologne.

Christmas and Winter Rhine Cruises from Frankfurt and Rüdesheim

Henk Bekker — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:13:34 +0000

Rhine and Main River day-trip pleasure cruise boat excursions are possible during the pre-Christmas advent period from Rüdesheim and Frankfurt. Rhein boats also cruise the Loreley Valley most winter days.

Winter Day-Trip Pleasure Boat Cruises on the Rhine River in Germany

Henk Bekker — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:06:52 +0000

During winter, pleasure boat cruises and sightseeing excursions on the Rhine River are limited but still possible. The best options are during the Christmas market period or all winter from Rüdesheim, Boppard, and Cologne.

Cheap Ferry Deals from Newcastle to Christmas Markets in Germany

Henk Bekker — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:34:01 +0000

DFDS Seaways has cheap mini-break ferry cruise, bus, and hotel trips from Newcastle to Christmas markets in Cologne (Köln) and Hamelin (Hameln) in Germany.

DFDS Seaways offers cheap deals on ferry crossings with bus transportation and hotel accommodation for mini breaks on coach tours to Christmas markets in Germany departing from Newcastle. These four-night [...]

Visit Top 2011 Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Vienna (Wien), Austria

Henk Bekker — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 12:28:18 +0000

The best Weihnachtsmärkte (Christkindlmärkte) in Wien are at the Rathaus, Maria Theresien Platz, Freyung in the old town center, and at the Baroque Schloss Schönbrunn and Schloss Belvedere.

Best Fun Christmas Events in the Netherlands

Henk Bekker — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:37:37 +0000

What to Do in Holland during Xmas, Advent, and December

Christmas events in the Netherlands include the arrival of St Nikolas in Holland, the Santa Claus race in Rotterdam, Pink Christmas in Amsterdam and many markets and concerts during December.

Christmas festivities in the Netherlands usually start early with the arrival of Sinterklaas (Santa [...]

List of Top Ten Best Christmas Markets in Germany

Henk Bekker — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:38:46 +0000

Visit the Best German Weihnachtsmärkte / Christkindlesmarkt

The list of the top ten best Christmas markets in Germany include Nuremberg, Dresden, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Lübeck, Leipzig, Rothenburg, Cologne, and Dortmund.

photo credit: Sheep purple

A selection of the top ten best Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) to visit in Germany is not easy. Every town [...]

NORAD Radars Track Santa Claus on Christmas

Henk Bekker — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:11:21 +0000

Each Christmas Eve, the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center uses radar, satellites, Santa Cams, and jet fighters to track Santa Claus on his flight from the North Pole to bring gifts to children the world over.