Christmas Markets

What could be more Christmassy than strolling  among the stands in enchanting plazas illuminated by  Christmas lights? Let the festive mood permeate and lift your spirit… it’s Christmas Markets time!

Who knows how many times you peeked and experienced the thrill of discovering the perfect hand made, ecological, original or unique Christmas gift waiting for you at one of the stands…

The tradition of Christmas Markets goes back to Medieval times, when no malls existed and all wares were  sold in public plazas. At Christmas time, as you may know,  these plazas become magical wonderlands inhabited by decorations, ornaments,  local gourmet foods, souvenirs, eco-friendly products, hand made treasures, and best of all great spiced wine to keep your winter shopping spree as warm as your heart.This is the time when Cities and villages become fairy lands that filled with glimmering lights  and the distant sound of hand organs or bag pipes drifting in the air.

Travel agencies arrange true and proper Christmas shopping tours of the largest markets. Germany and Austria are among the leading “toy lands”, which include: the Dresden market (the most ancient) those of Cologne, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Innsbruck, Vienna, Salzburg. Also quite popular is the Strasbourg market in Northern France.
There are plenty of traditional Christmas markets in Italy as well. If you can arrange it, be sure to visit  Bolzano, Livigno, Levico Terme, Vipiteno, Trento. They are a mesmerizing site to behold under a light snow fall, cradled by sparkling white mountains.

Another nice pit stop is Naples, in the region of Campania. This is where Nativity sets originated from, and in the San Gregorio Armeno area you may purchase truly unique hand made figures for your set.

For more information on Christmas tourist destinations and markets, click on http://www.mercatinidinatale.com/

Merry Christmas Shopping!