GET into the festive spirit with a short getaway to one of Europe’s top Christmas markets.
Whether you want to stock up on traditional gifts for your loved ones back home, sample some of the local specialities in food or drink or simply take in the sights and sounds of a new location, there are some incredible European seasonal markets just a couple of hours away by flight.
Here are some of the most popular for festive mini breaks as selected by Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport.
Flight prices are subject to change and availability.
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
2hrs 20m flight time
Direct flights from £19pp return
Vienna Christmas Dream is open until December 26.
More than 150 traditional stalls lie outside the City Hall, offering everything from delicious seasonal foodie treats to gifts and decorations.
There’s fun for all the family with the Little Ice Dream ice skating rink alongside the market and creative workshops for kids too.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
2hr 15 flight time
Direct flights from £50pp return
The Old Town Square in Prague really knows how to do a great Christmas.
Browse the traditional wooden huts for seasonal wares to your heart’s content and sample local delicacies such as trdelnik (sugar-coated rolled dough, roasted over hot coals) and keep the winter weather at bay with warm honey wine, medovina.
Open until January 6, this famous market hosts everything from traditional stalls to a small petting zoo, nativity scenes and Christmas choirs.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
1h 55m flight time
Direct flights from £51pp return
The remarkable fairytale Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen transforms at Christmas time, helped by thousands of lights and illuminated parades.
Offering entertainment as well as the usual seasonal gifts, food and drink that you might expect from a Christmas market.
You can enjoy family fun until January 5 on the fairground rides, in Santa’s grotto or just by strolling around and taking it all in.
BARCELONA, SPAIN
2hrs 20m flight time
Direct flights from £53pp return
You might think of Barcelona as more of a summer destination but there are several Christmas markets, known as firas, that take over every winter, some of which date back more than 200 years.
Open from the end of November and running throughout December, you can find everything from traditional festive decorations and appearances by Father Christmas to artisanal food stalls and a range of events running during the period.
Parades, light shows and ice bars mean there is something for everyone.
BERGEN, NORWAY
2hrs flight time
Direct flights from £93pp return
Bergen’s Christmas market runs until December 22 and despite being fairly new – it started three years ago – it has quickly established itself as a top festive location with some great regional food and drink to sample.
While there, you can take in the incredible Gingerbread Town, the world’s largest, where pretty much everything is essentially edible artwork, contributed to by local people every year and lit to perfection.
Sadly, you’re not able to sample the sweet treats as you explore the attraction, but you can certainly grab some traditional gingerbread at the market stalls instead.
For more information or to book a flight visit liverpoolairport.com
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