Top 5 Christmas Markets in Europe

The beauty of European Christmas markets.Nothing quite puts you in the festive spirit like wandering, mulled wine in hand, around the sweet-scented stalls of a traditional Christmas market.

Hop on the train for a few hours and you can discover how some of Europe's most beautiful cities have perfected the art of the Yuletide market place, offering the chance to buy arts and crafts, savour local delicacies, and hum along with choirs and brass bands.

The festive season may seem a long way off, but Christmas markets are becoming increasingly popular, so now's the time to book if you want to guarantee the trip.

Here are our top five Christmas markets easily reachable by train - all can be booked through rail booking specialist Railbookers. Alternatively, if you can to organise the trip yourself, we recommend you buy your train tickets through RailEurope. Don't forget, it's often much cheaper the book the trip in two stages (rather than all in one go), ie. book London to Paris/ Lille/ Brussels first, then Paris/ Lille/ Brussels to your final destination.

1. Bruges, Belgium 
So picturesque is this charming medieval city that people in the know lovingly refer to it as 'the Venice of the north'. Every November, Bruges' canals and cobbled streets come alive with bright lights, carols and decorations. Wander the countless stalls around the Market Place selling everything from gifts to local delicacies, or sit and watch the skaters on the ice rink whilst tucking into a waffle or sipping on hot Glühwein, a traditional German wine.
Trips cost from £180 per person, including a return Eurostar from London and hotel accommodation (breakfast included). Available 25th November 2011 - 1st January 2012.

2. Lille, France
Each Winter, the entire city is wrapped up in the festive spirit. Grand' Place is transformed into a Winter wonderland, complete with a 50-foot Big Wheel (offering fantastic views of the city) and, at its base, a magical frozen pond on which kids can ice skate. Head over to Old Lille, where each street is individually decorated, or follow the aroma of roast chestnuts to Place Rihour, where over 80 stalls offer all manner of arts, crafts and edible goodies.
Trips cost from £119 per person, including a return Eurostar from London and hotel accommodation (breakfast included). Available 19th November - 30th December 2011.

Atmospheric lights at a Christmas market, Germany3. Cologne, Germany
On the last Monday of Advent, this cathedral city opens the doors to no less than seven separate Christmas markets. Each year, millions of visitors from around the globe come to wander the traditional huts or 'Buden' dotted around Cologne Cathedral, or to the Alter Markt in the heart of Altstadt (Old Town), where kids will delight in the nostalgic childrens' roundabout, puppet theatre, Santa's Grotto and plentiful toy stalls.
Trips cost from £259 per person, including a return Eurostar from London and hotel accommodation (breakfast included). Available 21st November - 23rd December 2011.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Never a city to do things in half measures, Amsterdam goes all out at Christmas with a staggering 26 markets - even the infamous Red Light District gets a festive makeover. Undoubtedly the biggest is the Albert Cuyp Market, where 300 stalls and 100 shops snake off in all directions. The beautiful Museumplein is turned into a Christmas Square, while Amsterdam's popular 'Funky Sunday Markets' also open special Christmas editions at the Westergasfabriek on the 4th and 18th of December.
Trips cost from £225 per person, including a return Eurostar from London and hotel accommodation (breakfast included). Available 19th November - 1st December 2011.

5. Brussels, BelgiumStock up on local delicacies
Each year, 240 wooden Christmas chalets line the streets of Bourse, Marché aux Poissons and Place St. Catherine during the festive period. The beautiful guild houses and Town Hall in the Grand Place are brightly illuminated, while a giant Christmas tree towers over the traditional wooden stalls. Children will love the skating rink and Big Wheel, while adults can enjoy a range of performances including brass bands and ice sculptures.
Trips cost from £125 per person, including a return Eurostar from London and hotel accommodation (breakfast included). Available 25th November 2011 - 1st January 2012.