Manchester Airport prepares for festive season with links to European Christmas Market destinations

With the nights drawing in, Manchester Airport is encouraging people to start the countdown to the festive season with a trip to some of Europe’s leading Christmas Markets.

The airport is highlighting its direct connections to cities across Northern Europe where the stalls are being prepared and the mulled wine will soon start flowing.

Pictured: clockwise from top right: Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin, Gothenburg.

Brussels

The ‘Winter Wonders’ Brussels Christmas Market will be open between 25^th November and 1^st January. More than 200 wooden chalets with food, drinks and Christmas decorations give you the chance to delve into Belgian Christmas traditions and sample some of the world’s finest beers and chocolates. Flights from £101.58pp return with Brussels Airlines.

Cologne

Cologne’s most iconic landmark, the tallest twin-spired cathedral in the world, towers over its largest Christmas market. There are several other smaller markets that are well worth a look, however – including the Stadtgarten Christmas market, set in a city park with an emphasis on handmade souvenirs and decorations. Flights from £92pp return (28 Nov – 2 Dec) with Jet2.com. Ryanair also serves Cologne.

Frankfurt

Tracing its origins to the 14^th Century, the Frankfurt Christmas Market is one of the oldest in the world. A traditional market decorated with thousands of lights that offer a variety of Christmas specialities and decorations. Christmas cups are the special thing about the Frankfurt market, with a special cup design being unveiled each year so make sure you do not miss on this year’s design. Flights from £182pp return with Lufthansa.

Berlin

Berlin offers an abundance of Christmas markets. The beautiful Gendarmenmarkt boasts a dizzying selection of exclusive Christmas crafts and decorations along with great food and drink, whilst the market outside the City Hall is more family-oriented and offers activities such as ice skating and fairground rides. Besides its Christmas markets, Germany’s capital also offers world-famous sites such as the Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall. Flights from £93.04pp return (10 – 12 Dec) return with Ryanair. easyJet also serves Berlin

Gothenburg

If you’re travelling as a family, the Gothenburg Christmas Market is a stand-out pick. Located in one of Sweden’s most popular tourist attractions, the Liseberg amusement park, it offers all of the standard Christmas market fare, including Swedish specialities such as cinnamon buns, but brings a more interactive twist with ice skating, carol concerts and a mini-Lapland. Liseberg’s rides and rollercoasters are open, too, at an additional price. Flights from £44.98pp return (02 – 05 Dec) with Ryanair.

Geneva

The Geneva Christmas Market is ideal for foodies and ski lovers. Besides the traditional stalls, with a new offering every week, and cultural events in the Jardin Anglais, these markets’ USP is a dedicated street food section where world flavours meet local specialities including the famous raclette and fondue. Mont Blanc, the heart of the Alps, is under 100km away and it is more than possible to combine a trip to Geneva’s Christmas Markets with a visit to one of Europe’s finest ski resorts. Flights from £185pp return (17 – 20 Dec) with Jet2.com. Geneva is also served by Ethiopian Airlines, easyJet and TUI.

Prague

Prague celebrates Christmas with a number of smaller, more intimate markets spread across the city, serving mulled wine and traditional sweet pastries, in addition to souvenirs and handicrafts. The historic Old Town is a tourist draw year-round but takes on a unique ambience at Christmas, with a lively nightlife scene. Flights from £83.73pp return (28 Nov – 03 Dec) with Ryanair. easyJet and Jet2.com also serve Prague.

Vienna

The Austrian capital’s Christmas markets lay claim to being the world’s biggest and are among its oldest, too. Centred on the Rathaus (City Hall) and marketed as the ‘Viennese Dream’, Vienna’s Christmas Market offers an incredible variety of gifts, food and drink, traditions and activities for visitors of all ages. The city’s renowned galleries, museums and opera houses also take on a festive atmosphere and offer respite from the winter cold. Flights from £68.23pp return (14 – 19 Dec) with Ryanair. Austrian Airlines and Jet2.com also serve this route.

All prices correct at the time of writing, but may be subject to change. Prices quoted may not include hold baggage.