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Christmas Shopping Around the World
25 Sep 2017Christmas shopping car hire in London can make your outing into a wonderful experience, especially if you make the most of it and visit some of the places that do Christmas in style. It’s never too early to get your Christmas shopping in, as the sooner you’re done, the sooner you can relax and enjoy this special time with loved ones.
Locations Famed for Their Christmas shopping
With the season fast approaching, here at Smart City Weddings, we have curated a list of the top Christmas Markets throughout the world to enjoy your Christmas shop in sheer style.
Tallinn – Estonia
On the Baltic sea, Tallinn lays green and quiet as the country’s cultural hub. Its Christmas Markets are on the site of one of the world’s first ever Christmas trees, truly living within the spirit of the festive season and where its traditions began.
The city revived its long-standing Christmas markets after the Soviet Union collapsed and now lives on as one of the best European Christmas Markets.
It’s perfect to buy handmade local goods such as quilts and to watch or try some of the local traditions, such as their fiery local drink called Vana Tallinn.
Around the festive period, the heart of Estonia becomes simply enchanting. With dusted rooftops and snow-covered streets, a Christmas shopping trip here is truly an unforgettable treasure, making for the perfect Christmas shopping trip.
Cologne – Germany
You may have heard of some of the famous German markets popping up in cities everywhere; however, there is nothing quite like the original. Cologne has seven Christmas markets which draws in around two million festive shoppers every year.
Many come from far and wide to visit this gorgeous part of Germany, with perhaps the most impressive being the market just outside the Cologne Cathedral. This specific market has over 160 decorated stalls beneath one of the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.
The atmosphere in the market will be submerged in Christmas spirit, including a puppet theatre and a Santa’s grotto. It is the perfect spot to pick up classic decorations for the tree and ornamental glass too.
Brussels and Bruges – Belgium
Set like the perfect postcard for Christmas season with its ice rink and picturesque buildings, medieval Bruges hosts some of the world’s prettiest Christmas Markets in Europe. With the perfect opportunity to combine a cross-channel shopping trip with a visit to the Christmas Markets in Brussels as well, both of these locations offer plenty of Christmas cheer.
The Market in Brussels runs along many streets and most of the squares in the Old Town and, in total there are just over 240 wooden chalets selling homemade and high-quality crafts perfect as gifts for loved ones.
Make sure to pick up some Belgian gin and of course some Belgium chocolates!
Lille – France
As the capital of the Hauts-de-France in the northern region of France, Lille likes to show some serious Christmas Spirit just like the Belgians!
When Christmas approaches in Lille, the lights and colours come out in herds, and the whole town is covered in crowns of garlands, making for a spectacular show even before you get to the shopping.
The Marché de Noel is one of the largest Christmas Markets in the whole of France and starts mid-November, ready to welcome Christmas shoppers from all around the world.
In the centre of the market is a stunning Ferris Wheel surrounded by chalets and stalls selling the traditional roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and, of course, plenty of gifts and presents to purchase for your loved ones.
This location is great to buy all sorts of presents, from decorations to festive foods, clothing, arts, crafts and plenty of other gift ideas.
A trip to Germany or Belgium may seem like the perfect Christmas getaway to experience the festive season and get some gifts for everyone in your life, although all these things and more are also available a little closer to home, in glorious London.
The capital of the UK brings all these countries together every year to create a magical season and sell their marvellous gifts. A Cologne Christmas Market usually appears on the South Bank and German Markets are a common sight in Hyde Park and surrounding areas. London is one of the best places around the world to find original gift ideas and spectacular decorations and presents.
When you’re not visiting the markets, you have a spectacular array of shops which are sure to tick every Christmas present off your list. Everything from John Lewis to Selfridges, Harrods and beyond, there is a store for everyone.
Whether you want to take a trip to the markets or a simple visit down Sloane Street, Smart City can take you there, drop you off, take you between all the markets and stores and when you’re ready, pick you up. We make sure you don’t have the stress and discomfort of carrying bags, so you don’t miss anything off your Christmas shopping list.
If you would like any more information on how we can make Christmas that little bit more special for you whilst shopping, we would love to supply further information. Don’t settle for a normal shop, treat yourself, friends and family to a wonderful Christmas you’ll never forget.
