Cheapflights.com Spreads More Holiday Cheer

Get into the Spirit with Our Top 10 Christmas Markets Around the World

Boston, MA – December 6, 2011 – With the holidays quickly approaching, Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, is your little helper when it comes to preparing for this festive time of year. Cheapflights.com is here to offer more ways to enjoy some holiday cheer while shopping for some traditional holiday gifts with its Top 10 Christmas Markets Around the World. From the mingled aromas of glühwein (mulled wine) and spiced gingerbread, to the thousands and thousands of starry lights and stalls heaving with handcrafted gifts, there’s nothing like a traditional German Christmas market to put you in the holiday spirit.

Most markets open at the end of November and run until Christmas Eve. Experiencing a Christmas market will definitely add some color and holiday spirit. While most of Cheapflights.com’s picks on the list are located in some of Europe’s most beautiful cities, we’ve also included a couple on this side of the pond. To give you a taste, below are five from our list of Top 10 Christmas Markets Around the World:

Strasbourg, France - Strasbourg’s Christmas market takes pride of place in front of the sublime, towering Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg. It’s the largest and oldest Christmas market in France. For more than 400 years the city has welcomed visitors to its Christkindelsmarik. Beautifully made Christmas decorations, Nativity figurines and traditional delicacies (spiced bread, mulled wine and foie gras) fill the stalls. Each year, a different country is celebrated; in 2011, it’s Switzerland’s turn. Place Gutenberg will host a Swiss market featuring authentic delicacies, concerts, dancing and exhibitions from its cantons. Running until Dec.31.

Quebec City, Canada - Just four years old, Quebec City’s Christmas market has become a fixture on the festive calendar. Its setting is beyond compare. The cobble-stoned streets of Vieux Quebec are made for Christmas cards and the guaranteed cold weather cries out for the hearty German fare and drinks that are on sale from the cheery vendors. Among the delicacies are traditional raisin-studded gingerbread, pretzels, roast chestnuts and delicious Santa-shaped chocolates. Running until Dec. 11.

Copenhagen, Denmark - Tivoli Gardens, the famous amusement park, hosts Copenhagen’s Christmas markets. The willow trees are festooned with lights, there are almost four miles of colorful stalls and the little ones will be able to see how the residents of Nissekøbing spend their time. The market welcomes about 1 million visitors each year, most of whom will want to take a ride on the carousels, Chinese lantern and Elves’ Train. Running until Dec. 30.

Chicago, Illinois, U.S. - The Christkindlmarket in Chicago is inspired by Nuremberg’s ancient market. Daley Plaza on Washington Street is where you’ll find red-and-white tents groaning under the weight of festive delicacies and traditional handcrafted gifts that will satisfy the pickiest customer. Warming German delicacies like sausages, sauerkraut and potato pancakes keep out the cold and soak up the glühwein and German beers. Running until Dec. 24.

Dublin, Ireland - Dublin’s Docklands turn German for 20 days in November and December. German traders display their wares alongside their Irish counterparts. The air is filled with the scent of roasting nuts, mulled wine, eggnog and sizzling bratwurst. The Irish love to party, so it’s fitting that the full program comprises musical entertainment with story tellers, carol singers and bands. Santa turns up on weekends to chat to the visitors and dispense a few sweets to the young and young at heart. Running until Dec. 23.

Rounding out the list are the Christmas markets in: Dresden, Germany; Vienna, Austria; Prague, Czech Republic; Brussels, Belgium; and Nuremburg, Germany. So enchanting is the German vision of Christmas that a visit to one is a tradition for many families each year – why not start yours this year.