MARITIM Hotels' Top Five Christmas Markets For 2014
When you
think of Christmas Markets, one country always comes to mind: Germany. Wonderfully festive, German Christmas Markets
are authentic with atmospheric squares decorated with fairy lights and pretty
stalls selling hand-made gifts, crafts and toys, Christmas decorations plus
spiced mulled wine and speciality foods.
As Germany's
largest privately owned hotel operator, MARITIM Hotels is well placed to
highlight the country's top five Christmas Markets for 2014.
1. Dresden –
best for history and heritage
The oldest
Christmas Market in Germany, dating back to 1434. Known as Striezelmarkt, this Christmas Market
is renowned for its festive charm, with stalls filled with traditional
hand-made crafts and culinary delights, including sweet delicacy Dresden Christstollen. A winter wonderland, the focal point of the
Dresden Christmas Market is the world's tallest Christmas pyramid (with a
height of 14m) and the world's biggest nut cracker, while the highlight is the
Stollen Festival.
Date: 27 November – 24 December 2014
Deal: £379 per person
(includes 2
nights b&b in a twin or double room at the MARITIM Hotel Dresden with
flights from London City)
2. Nuremberg
– best for families
Festive fun
is at the heart of the Nuremberg Christmas Market. The Kinderweihnacht, or Children's Market, is
perfect for families, featuring an old-fashioned carousel, Ferris wheel, steam
train and Nativity trail. Traditional
music fills the air, creating the perfect atmosphere for Christmas
shopping. Authenticity is paramount; the
200 stalls provide a selection of hand-crafted toys and favourite German foods
including Nuremberg sausage, spicy gingerbread, sweets and 'plum people' (small
figures made from prunes).
Date: 30 November – 24 December 2014
Deal: £349 per person
(includes 2
nights b&b in a twin or double room at the MARITIM Hotel Nuremberg with
flights from London Stansted)
3. Berlin –
best unique experience
This historic
and cosmopolitan city hosts a spectacular Christmas Market every year. With over 60 markets scattered across the
city, incorporating romance, nostalgia and tradition, there is something for
everyone. For a truly memorable
Christmas Market experience, the Gendarmenmarkt boasts culinary temptations
from some of the country's top chefs as well as showcasing Germany's top talent
including jugglers, acrobats, fire artists, choirs, dance groups and musicians.
Date: 26 November – 31 December 2014
Deal: £339 per person
(includes 2
nights b&b in a twin or double room at the MARITIM proArte Hotel Berlin
with flights from London Gatwick)
4. Ulm – best
undiscovered
Ulm Christmas
Market is a hidden gem. The setting is
breath-taking with hundreds of beautifully decorated stalls filling
Munsterplatz Square which is framed by the dramatic backdrop of Ulm Minster,
the world's tallest church tower. The
aroma of roasted almonds fills the air and trumpets play amidst the stalls,
which provide an array of authentic gifts, including Ulm's famous Steiff teddy
bears, and traditional German culinary delights.
Date: 24 November – 22 December 2014
Deal: £429 per person
(includes 2
nights b&b in a twin or double room at the MARITIM Hotel Ulm with flights
from London Heathrow to Frankfurt, plus return rail to Ulm)
5. Munich –
best alternative
One visit is
just not enough to the Munich Christmas Market.
The city's Bavarian heritage is clear to see with stalls boasting
traditional wood carvings and exquisite glassware from the Bavarian
Forest. Music lovers delight in the
alpine Christmas concert performed daily from the balcony of Munich's Town Hall
and children enjoy fun-filled hours at cooking as well as arts and crafts
workshops. With a fantastic ethnic
Christmas festival, the gay-friendly Pink Christmas Market plus ice skating and
stalls at the airport before you depart; Munich offers an amazing alternative
Christmas Market experience.
Date: 27 November – 24 December 2014
Deal: £379 per person
(includes 2
nights b&b in a twin or double room at the MARITIM Hotel Munich with
flights from London Gatwick)
To book,
visit www.fred.travel or call 0808 159 5256.
Alternatively, email holidays@fred.travel.
MARITIM
Hotels is Germany's largest privately owned hotel operator. In addition to 36 hotels in Germany, the
company has 14 hotels around the world in locations as diverse as Turkey,
Mauritius, China, Egypt, Spain, Latvia and Malta. The group's ongoing expansion continues to
strengthen its position in the first class hotel industry in Europe and beyond.
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