Christmas Markets

[Trickie]

Can anyone recommend a good european traditional Christmas market to go to? I went to Cologne last december and thoroughly enjoyed it so want to try somewhere else this year, ideally a location in a mountainous area with the hope that there'd be snow to really add to the atmos would be fabulous. (Cologne was just windy and rainy unfortunately) Also any tips on any nice "boutique" type hotels to stay at in the vicinity of Christmas Markets would be greatly received. Thanks

[scoobysoo]

We went to a lovely one in Prague a few years back. It was lovely and snowy.

[nobby1]

We visited the Munich Market the year before last.
It was colder there than Cologne with the temp below freezing most of the time.
The christmas market was truly beautiful,with carol singers on the balcony at the old town hall and a huge tree lit up.
With Munich being close to the Bavarian Alps you could be lucky with snow as it snowed the last two days we were there.cant help on the boutique hotels,but i would recommend Munich as a festive,atmospheric,magical place to be at christmas.

[Bohne]

Funny, I try and see a new market every year, and get a new mug...

I loved the one in Freudenstadt, even though it's only a small one.
Since it's in the Black Forest, the chances for snow are pretty good, too.
The one in Esslingen (near Stuttgart) we visit every year, since it's got a medieval part to it, which is really cool.
The one in Nuremberg is very famous, even though I have not been there, yet.
The one in Stuttgart is the largest in Europe, as far as I know, can't promise snow, though.

[weenireeni]

why not try the xmas market in lincoln? its lovely, very festive and great atmosphere! usually first week of december :-)

you'll be able to buy more at the market as no flight costs!

[Trickie]

Thanks to you all for your answers and anyone else who posts one, they gives me a lot of ideas to go on - now where do I choose!? I'm sure we'll try and go to the one in Lincoln as well if time allows.

[Dee Sa]

Went on a coach trip once from the local paper, stayed in Valkenburg and their xmas market was in caves and really lovely, they also took us to Achen german xmas market, this was more commercial and quite expensive compaired to the first one, but St Nicholas was walking around and blessing everyone and wishing them so it was very "christmassy".
The boring bit was the coach ride to get there.

[KebabMeister]

I'd say Munich as well but mostly because I live there! :) I've only been to Salzburg as well but I hear that Nuremberg is supposed to be rather good.

If you need any info on Munich then let me know.