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Christmas Markets

9 Enchanting Vienna Christmas Markets

December 2, 2022 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

When I think of European Christmas Markets, the glittering city of Vienna locale has always been on the top of the list. Hearing travelers stories and seeing pictures on social media has always made me want to spend Christmas  in Vienna. We finally made the dream a reality and spent 5 amazing days in Vienna last year – which sounds strange to say, as it was only 3 weeks ago!   Starting mid-November, Vienna’s squares transform into charming Christmas markets. Throughout the city you’ll find 22 markets with over 1,000 stalls. Now, that is a lot of holiday spirit!

Adding to our enchanting experience was the white powder that blanketed the city not long after our arrival. The city was ablaze with Christmas lights that danced off the snow covered streets. With that magic backdrop, visitors can’t help but see, taste, smell and feel the holidays approaching!

Christmas Market Vienna Features:

 

Biggest ice skating rink EVER!
So many gorgeous ornaments
Wiener Rathausplatz Christmas Market at City Hall
Gingerbread anyone?
My angel

 

Wiener Rathausplatz Christmas Market at City Hall

The biggest Christmas Market in Vienna was located at City Hall. The market contained 150 colorful stalls with handmade goods, gifts, food, mulled wine and the largest skating rink we had ever seen- 4,500m² (4848 sq ft) . It was  huge, wrapping around the trees and stretching seemingly on forever. And a great feature for kids was the workshop set up in the Great Hall with free arts and crafts activities.

My favorite Vienna Christmas Market Mugs!
Popular Maria-Theresien-Platz Christmas Market
Christmas Market stalls
So many beautiful ornaments
Christmas Market Punsch
Gift Ideas

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Austria, Christmas Markets Tagged With: Vienna with kids

Christmas Market in Nice, France – Holiday Cheer at the Village de Noël

October 15, 2021 by Dana Zeliff 11 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Village de Noël Nice, France

It’s that magical time of year.  Snow is falling, fires are blazing and Santa Clause is at the mall.   Okay, maybe not in the South of France, but Christmas is definitely in the air.    We have chilly mornings, hot chocolate, Christmas lights strung throughout the town and Père Noël peeking out of storefront windows.

What better place to celebrate the holiday season than on the French Riviera at the Village de Noël or Christmas Village in Nice, France!  Experience the delight of handcrafted gifts, delicious food and play area for kids and kids at heart while visiting Nice over the holiday’s.

Christmas Market in Nice

Christmas Tree Bucket Ride – You ride in the ornaments!
Village de Noël entrance at night
Food Chalets in Place Massena
Ferris Wheel behind the palm trees
Ferris Wheel and Snow Globe

The fun starts in Place Massena, where you can’t miss the towering Ferris Wheel (Grande Roue).  The large skating rink (patinoire) beckons beginners and experienced skaters for five daily sessions of 1.5 hours each. Find a Christmas tree bucket ride, food and wine chalets with seating area and a decorated area with a ski lift seat for a cute photo opportunity.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Christmas Markets Tagged With: Nice France, Travel in Nice

Festive Vienna Food Tour – Kid Friendly Viennese Christmas Market Food Tour

December 31, 2018 by Dana Zeliff 17 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

Christmas in Vienna is magical.  Glittering lights are strung throughout the streets and Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city.   During our visit we wanted a unique experience in the Imperial capital.   After researching Vienna tours, we determined a Vienna Christmas Market Food Tour with Context Travel would be perfect for our family.   I expected a Vienna food tour to be fun and educational for the kids, but eating our way through the Christmas Market turned out to be unforgettable.

Our tour took place on our last evening in Vienna.  After warming up at the hotel following our morning explorations, we donned another layer of socks before venturing out in the snow to try Viennese cuisine.  Some of these regional dishes are only available during the holiday season.

The Christmas Village in the Weihnachtsdorf Altes AKH ended up being one of our favorites. The market is held in the green space of the former general hospital, now the campus for the social sciences & humanities of the University of Vienna. It’s a smaller market than some of the others in Vienna, giving it a cozy feeling and creating a perfect venue for families. I’m told this is also a great area to visit during the warmer months, with outdoor cafes dotting the grounds.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Christmas Markets, Austria, Foodie, Europe Travel with Kids Tagged With: Vienna with kids

Discovering Lucéram Crèches on the French Riviera {450 Nativity Scenes to Find}

January 16, 2017 by Dana Zeliff Leave a Comment

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

A unique holiday tradition on the French Rivera is the hunt for crèches (nativity scenes) in the mountain village of Lucéram.  Lucéram was a thriving village in the 15th century as it was a stopping place on one of the salt roads.  During the holiday season, the entire village is bursting with holiday spirit.  There are 450 crèches throughout the village each year.  We didn’t find anywhere near 450, but we did find well over a hundred.  Finding the Lucéram crèches is something the entire family will enjoy – it’s a treasure hunt for mangers!

Once arriving in Lucéram, pick up a map at the tourism office or, even better, from the information desk once you get off the bus. We picked up ours in Vence with other holiday pamphlets.   You should be able to prepare ahead of time at other area tourist offices as well.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: France, Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Christmas Markets Tagged With: Day Trips from Nice

Why You Must Visit Slovakia’s Bratislava Christmas Market

January 3, 2017 by Dana Zeliff 8 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain an affiliate link & I may have been compensated for my time writing this article.

We planned our first visit to Slovakia for December, just so we could experience the Bratislava Christmas Market.   Approximately 100 red & white stalls teem with traditional Slovakian cuisine and handcrafted goods. Live music played nightly with locals and tourist milling about, shopping, eating, drinking, laughing and dancing.  It was fun for our entire family to be part of the lively Christmas atmosphere.

Bratislava Christmas Market

The kids favorite part of our visit was eating their way through the Christmas Market. This is becoming a theme with them. It’s a great motivational tool to get them out the door!  Tantalizing aromas tickle your senses as you make your way through the market. The sweet smell of cinnamon, the sizzling of frying sausage and the roasting of chestnuts all blend together to leave your stomach grumbling.

Mom even liked the Bratislavské rožky
Meat barbecuing and ready to eat
Share the crepe!
Yay for Chimney cakes
Smells good and piping hot!

Visitors will find traditional dishes such as cabbage soup in a bowl and barbecued meat turning slowing on a stick. Plenty of high tables are set up around the market, so you can enjoy your meal while taking in the festive market atmosphere.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Europe Travel with Kids, Destinations, Christmas Markets, Slovakia

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Dana. Planning a great trip shouldn't mean spending endless evenings scrolling travel forums, watching videos, and sorting through conflicting opinions online.

I've spent years exploring the world with my husband and our two kids, and those experiences shape how I help clients plan their own vacations. Together, we've visited 48 countries across four continents and spent nearly four years living in France.

Whether you're planning a European itinerary, a cruise vacation, an all-inclusive resort stay, or a family getaway, I'll help you sort through the options and create a trip that works for your travel style, interests, and budget. Read More…

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