My mom and I took my kids to France last month to visit the Christmas markets. The trip was my…read moremom's idea (and very generous treat), and it was as ambitious and chaotic as it was special, my boys' first time in Europe, for a Christmasy long weekend. We took the train to Strasbourg and had less than six hours before our train to Paris, one of which we lost looking for a storage locker at the station. Setting aside lunch and the forty minutes required to use the bathroom at Galeries Lafayette, we had about two hours to explore the actual Christmas markets. Strasbourg has several of these markets, and while we went to two or three distinct ones, they were all within walking distance of each other and more or less blended together. They were definitely charming, even if the rainy weather was not what my mom had in mind when she booked this bucket list trip. The lights and decorations were enchanting, and worked well with Strasbourg's beautiful architecture. We did some light shopping, buying magnets and Christmas decorations at a couple of the hundreds of booths. There was one booth with rude vendors, but they seemed to be outliers, and we just moved on to the next shop, which was selling very comparable goods. We found one ride for the kids, a kind of janky merry-go-round that was, at least, Christmas-themed. We also saw the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, a cool Gothic church and one of the city's most famous sites. I admit we spent more time at the merry-go-round. This was a hectic way to see Strasbourg, but the kids had fun and I'm glad we were able to check it off my mom's list. Next time, we might just hit Solvang, but the Strasbourg Christmas markets probably are worth seeing before you die.

This was the main purpose of my ten day November 2021 trip to Europe: To meet up with my frequent…read moreflier friends in Strasbourg (one from Atlanta, one from Minneapolis and two from Detroit) to attend the oldest Christmas market in Europe in the "Capitale de Noël"! Sure, Düsseldorf was a fabulous meetup with Klaus-Dieter and Stuttgart was great to see the transportation museums. But Strasbourg was the hook for the trip! There are a couple of markets around Strasbourg in different plazas but the main one is around the cathedral. They had set up a clear entrance and exit with security checking COVID QR codes and matching IDs. There were also concrete bollards placed to prevent a vehicle from doing something stupid. Once through the entrance, masks off and enjoy! A few dozen Christmas themed kiosks with Christmas tree ornaments, engraved glasses, chocolates, leather goods and more. Of course, lots of food so plan to be hungry when you arrive. We had three different glühweins (I prefer the red) and each had a slightly different flavor. A ham and cheese crepe was consumed. And I bought a few things to bring home. Just so much enjoyment here and the crowds were manageable. Tips: If you're going to shop, bring a reusable shopping bag. You can get back your €1 deposit on your glühwein cup by returning it. And importantly, keep in mind that you're in a big crowd so mind your wallet/handbag and be aware of crazy people who might be doing dumb things. Have fun! [Review 16442 overall - 76 in France - 1950 of 2021.]

With a rich Christmas market tradition, this is an amazing market in Europe. Set in the old town…read morecentre and distributed throughout the old town it's a charming and traditional market full of goodies and amazing food :-) Try the hot chocolate here as it is amazing as is the different mulled wines and food. This year the guest country was Portugal and they had a section dedicated to food and gifts from Portugal. The area around the cathedral is the main market area and it looks stunning. Tons of people were about and security along the edges was tight. I am so glad we visited here. It's one of the most beautiful markets I have seen in Central Europe. Lots to do and wander and have a meal. Prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is amazing.

This was our 2nd year attending the Marche de Noel & Strasbourg is like no other…read more Scattered throughout the city center, you'll find huts from local artisans, selling a little of everything from honeys to mulled wine and juices, hand painted glass ornaments, wooden ornaments, hats, crepes, meats, breads, candies... just a little of everything And the shops surrounding the market go all out as well with lights and decorations and tons of Christmas offerings This year's featured country was Portugal ( last year or was Luxembourg) and there were vendors from Portugal selling locally made wares The lights, the decorations, the fun, festive atmosphere make Strasbourg one of the must-see Christmas markets in Europe

I have been to the Black Forest Christmas market a few times over the past decade. I was lucky to…read morego right before COVID destroyed the world. This market is one of the most unique because it's set around the waterfall. They have fire dances, lots of food and drink vendors and a huge fire pit where you can buy stick bread to roast on the fire. It's pretty amazing. Not to mention, you're in the black forest, so it's a short walk to all the Cuckoo clock stores. This one is a MUST do if you have limited time or haven't been.

My mom wanted to take my five-year-old to the Christmas markets in France, and I had the brilliant…read moreidea of joining her with my three-year-old, mostly to spare him from FOMO. The trip was ambitious, short and difficult, and I'm not sure my kids enjoyed it more than they would have, say, Solvang or Anaheim. But enjoy it they did, and I for one will forever remember our day in Colmar. The city is small and charming, and for one month a year, the historic old-town area turns into a magical Christmas village, with six Christmas markets that more or less connect to one another in a walkable circuit. Part of this area, called La Petite Venise, is crossed by canals, all very scenic. We went on a Saturday in December, and the entire zone was flooded with tourists. The streets were crowded and restaurants were booked; the hotel we stayed at was exorbitantly priced. The crush of people was a bit overwhelming at first, especially in the narrower streets. I got used to it, though, and found the markets easy enough to navigate. There was a helpful map of the markets, and everything was close together. We weren't there to eat, but there was food and drink everywhere. Hot wine and hot chestnuts and various Alsatian specialties. My three-year-old found a cookie shop and shamelessly solicited and received a few samples. The kids were more interested in the carnival rides interspersed throughout the markets. There was a very cute rotating sleigh ride with reindeer and a great little ferris wheel, where we took in some beautiful views. The boys also enjoyed a janky-looking baby train ride with a confusion of cobbled together vehicles and trademarked characters and, of course, Christmas lights. All the rides were individually ticketed, and we gladly paid for them, as we were there to entertain the children. We shopped less than I'd anticipated, since I actually do love Christmas ornaments and other Christmas kitsch. Though the booths at the markets were enchanting as a whole, the stuff they were selling wasn't anything special. My kids got gloves that were made in China, and I got the sense that most of the merchandise available wasn't specific to the region. I did get a nice pair of Labonal socks, which are made in France, but the only other shopping we did was at a few of the brick and mortar stores. There was an artisan market, where I think there were more unique goods for sale, but it was indoors and there was a long line to get in. Not worth the trouble with two small children and a giant stroller. The best thing about the markets was the town itself, the lovely streets and buildings all decked out for Christmas. Colmar was pretty during the day and even prettier after dark, when the lights turned on. I'm glad we got to see it, despite the ridiculous amount of hassle. My mom got to check off an item on her bucket list, and the kids had an absolute blast.

Oh, Colmar! You are such a foodie paradise during Christmastime, and I love you for it…read more After reading about the world's best Christmas Markets, we decided to make an overnight stop in Colmar, specifically for their special Gourmand Christmas Market. This is a city that's not only absolutely show-stoppingly gorgeous and oozing with charm, but their many markets are 100% legit. Note that it is crowded here, ridiculously so. Colmar is popular for good reason, but be ready to shove elbow-to-elbow and pay exorbitant rates for hotels during December (and especially on weekends). There are so many markets here, it's hard to cover them all! My favorite was probably the Le Marchee Gourmand, which is a large tent with a dozen or so food stalls underneath. Large communal tables (standing only) means making new friends. The prices at the markets here are expensive, but I understand with the high volume of tourists they get. See my photos for examples of the food items on offer and their prices. From oysters to escargot, stinky cheese to handmade pasta, you'll find it here. There's also tons of local wine, and the pours are more than generous! There are a handful of fun rides, including a Dumbo-like ride where you can fly your own reindeer powered "sleigh." I saw that and screamed at first sight, and I kept screaming until my hubby bought me a ticket to ride, ha ha. I did have a major disappointment in the Colmar markets, though, and it's a big one (even if it sounds petty). They don't have ceramic market mugs. The Christmas Market mugs are just flimsy plastic cups, and they aren't great souvenirs. I certainly would not want to take one home. One of the joys for me is collecting the different ceramic mugs in the different cities and towns, and the lack of one in Colmar proved to be a major disappointment for me. Colmar is so charming that I still highly recommend its Christmas Markets. There's something for everyone here, and I swear just walking around town had us stumbling upon yet another small market.