Published 28th Jun. 2021
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The days are getting shorter, the telly's getting better and we've already had our first batch of mince pies in the office, which can only mean one thing: you can officially start getting excited about Christmas now. Here's our pick of the best Yuletide festivities around Europe, where the chances of having a white Christmas are significantly higher than back at home...
Christmas festivities in Stockholm crank it up a gear on 13th December or St Lucia's Day when a girl is chosen to dress as St Lucia and bravely dons a crown of candles before leading a procession through the streets. There are several markets around the city, including one in the Old Town, and candlelit concerts in Stockholm's Gothic Storkyrkan cathedral. A cup of glögg - mulled wine to you and me - is just the thing to warm you up on a cold day and the hand-painted clogs and Dala horses make wonderful gifts.
Read more about the best Christmas markets in Sweden.
Christmas celebrations in Estonia were severely curbed during the Soviet era, but they are now firmly back in fashion. The market on Reekoja square may have only been going since 2001 but it has quickly become one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, helped in large part by the fact that the Old Town looks ridiculously lovely covered in snow. Whilst Estonian festive specialities might not be to everyone's taste- blood pudding and head cheese- the hand-crafted toys and decorations surely would be. The ice rink on Harju Street is great fun, but not to be attempted after too many Vanna Tallinn coffees...
There can't be a cooler way of staying hot than taking a dip in Budapest's outdoor Szechenyi Baths; the pools are a toasty 38°C and look even more spectacular in the snow. If you prefer putting clothes on to taking them off, the ice rink in Városliget Park is the largest outdoor rink in Europe, and the Vörösmarty Christmas Fair sells all sorts of festive delights including delicious poppy seed rolls or 'beigli'. Look out for the specially decorated trams on lines 2A, 19 and 47- Rudolph may find himself out of a job soon!
Everyone has heard of Germany's famous Christmas markets, so where better to experience them than in its capital city. There are over 60 markets in Berlin, but the best are at the Charlottenburg Palace and on the beautiful Gendarmen market Square where the stalls are overflowing with festive fare; glass ornaments and carved beeswax candles are eternally popular. Recover from all that shopping with a glass of Feuerzangenbowle, but just don't expect to be able to pronounce it after the first two or three.
Practical advice and inspiration for your next trip
You might let the rhythm lead the way on the dance floor, but how about giving it guidance over your travels, too? From jammin’ jaunts through the American South to orchestral odysseys in Germany, there are plenty of ways to tune in (sorry) to the melody on your next trip. And, in our expert opinion, there’s nothing like tangoing with the locals or belting your heart out in a traditional karaoke room to immerse yourself in another country’s culture.
20th May 2026 - Culture
One of the joys of travel is encountering new cultures and ideas. From ancient traditions to modern philosophies, the world is rich in beliefs with the power to expand our outlook. We’ve spun the globe and cherry-picked some of our favourites, from the conviction that every activity should involve a little fun, to the celebration of joint effort over individualistic action. Read on for our shortlist of life concepts around the world and prepare for a conceptual circumnavigation of the globe.
5th May 2026 - Culture
As Tom Holland (the esteemed historian, not Spiderman) so succinctly put it in the first edition of our magazine, Original Traveller, ‘Egypt is where tourism began’. And the next chapter in the history of tourism in Egypt is about to begin. We’re always looking for a reason to shout about this captivating country, and this November, we have the perfect excuse: the long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
3rd November 2025 - Egypt Culture
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