Christmas is about five months away, which means that it's a great time to book some cheap tickets to the best festive markets around, from Edinburgh to Cologne. If you're lucky, there might even be one close to you. Perhaps you could take your significant other on a surprise ice-skating trip or have a romantic stroll with a cup of mulled cider in hand. With our list you'll have plenty of options when it comes to getting Merry this Christmas time.
Christmas markets are a great place to buy unique gifts, try strange European foods and drink Glühwein until you can't see anymore. We've taken a look at the very best of the bunch so you can plan your festivities first and avoid missing out.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Christmas Market often gets voted as the number one in the UK and it's no surprise why. Taking up most of East Princes Street Gardens and a stretch of the Mound next to the Galleries, it offers a vast array of foods, drinks and arts and crafts sourced from across the continent. Chuck in fun for the kids like the Big Wheel and fun for the adults like the Johnnie Walker Bothy Bar and it's the perfect cocktail of festivity for the whole family
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It's open from 17 November to 5 January, from 10am to 10pm.
Cologne
If you fancy getting out of the UK for a short break this winter, then Cologne could be the option for you. Germans will fight each other to the death when it comes to deciding which German market is the best, but we've chosen Cologne as it's home to not one, but seven scattered across the city. We'd actually recommend taking two days to traverse them all. Each of the magical pockets of joy are decked out in fairy lights and glitter and there's beer. There's plenty of beer.
It's open from 25 November to 23 December, from 11am to 10pm.
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Disneyland
If you want to pull out all the stops then why not take a trip to Disneyland Paris? It's not a market exactly, but instead it's an entire theme park covered in tinsel, lights, ornaments and decorated trees. There's a Christmas parade on every single day and constant Christmas-themed shows happening across the park too. You can even single some carols with "Mickey's Big Band" if you fancy it. There's plenty of Christmas tat to spend your money on too if you love a Disney character. If you're after a booze-filled treat, maybe skip this one unless you want to throw up over Goofy.
It's open from 8 November to 6 January, from 10am to 8pm.
Prague
Prague looks like something from a fairy tale all year round, so if you add a couple of lights and a dash of tinsel then you've found yourself the perfect setting for pulling a cracker. A visit to the Old Town Square is a must as a gargantuan Christmas tree looms over the crowd and there's a stable with live animals for you to pet too.
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It's open from 30 November to 6 January, from 9am to 8pm, however the food stalls are open until midnight.
So, there you have it, the ultimate guide to Christmas markets 2019. Now stop complaining that this article was written months too early and get your transport sorted before everyone else does.
Soon be Christmas.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Food, Christmas, Disneyland, Mickey Mouse, Drinks, Germany, travel