Christmas Markets is brought to you by Andrea Anastasakis (@destinationeu), the Australian travel blogger behind the European road trip travel blog Rearview Mirror. Learn more about me and my travel writing experience on Linkedin.
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I moved to Europe in 1999 with the intention of studying French for a year, but life had other plans for me. Over the next 20 years, I lived and worked in various locations across Europe, including France, the UK, Hungary, Albania and many others.
During that time, I had the opportunity to experience the rich cultures and traditions of each of these countries, including their famous Christmas markets.
The first Christmas market I ever visited was in Prague and I loved everything about it. The hustle and bustle of the city, the aroma of mulled wine and local specialties, and the warmth of the community made me feel right at home.
Although I never lived in Germany, I often visited in the winter to experience the Christmas markets in Dresden, Nuremberg, and Munich. Each of these cities had its own unique atmosphere and specialties, but the spirit of the season was always the same.
Later on, I lived in Hungary, where I had the opportunity to visit many of the Christmas markets in Budapest and nearby Vienna.
Vienna, in particular, holds a special place in my heart for its magical snow-covered destinations like the Town Hall and Schönbrunn Palace. The twinkling lights, festive decorations, and cheerful carolers all contributed to the city’s enchanting atmosphere during the holiday season.
These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the Christmas season and the many different ways it’s celebrated across Europe.
I’m grateful for my time in Europe and the memories I made during the holiday season. I created these guides to share my knowledge and experience.
Read more about the Christmas Markets website on our About page.