The month of December brings with it the wonderful Christmas atmosphere in towns and cities all over the world, especially in Europe. The Christmas markets open their doors, filling the atmosphere with lights, decoration, music and delicious culinary traditions. Today we propose some of these destinations where you can enjoy the best Christmas atmosphere in a motorhome.
Frankfurt
The german markets They are the pioneers in offering the Christmas experience around crafts, food and drink. Due to its number of visitors and its size, that of Frankfurt It is one of the most important Christmas markets in Germany. The main focuses of the market are located in Romerberg and Paulsplatz and it is worth admiring the huge Christmas tree, one of the most beautiful in Germany.
History Frankfurt Christmas Market dates back to 1393, when the first reference is made in official documentation. Traditionally, the market was accompanied by the representation of ecclesiastical mysteries, which were also held on the Römerberg. The traditional fir did not become a decorative element until the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
Traditionally, local artisans offered Christmas crafts, toys, sweets and other gifts, especially wooden cars and stuffed animals, as well as rocking horses. Today you can still find handicraft products in wood and other materials.
Pastry is another of the typical traditions of the Frankfurt Christmas market. Brenten, Bethmaennchen and Quetschemaennchen consist of three typical cookies from Frankfurt that recall a long culinary tradition. In the past, large quantities were produced in the bourgeois houses in the center of the city. The XNUMXth century suitor used to send a packet of this popular confection to the lady of her care. If he kept this gift, the admirer could hope to continue his advances. If he didn't, it served as a warning for the suitor to abandon his efforts.
In the Frankfurt market you will not stay hungry. It is very common to find positions with big grills where to try its famous sausages, knuckles and other derivatives of pork. And, of course, all accompanied by a good Mulled wine or mulled wine, to combat the cold winter temperatures.
You can spend the night in the Camping Burgel, with all services, and close to the tram to go to the city center.
Alsacia
If you want to enjoy a fairytale atmosphere, the Christmas markets in the Alsace region of France They offer everything you need to feel inside one. In them we will find careful decorations, music, traditions, Christmas crafts and food and drink.
From those installed in larger cities, such as Strasbourg or Colmar, even the smallest of towns like Kaysersberg, Obernai or TurckheimThey are all worth a visit. We assure you that you will not want to leave there.
Most of them are open during the Advent period, until December 24. Some, the least, maintain the decoration and the stalls until the beginning of the year. The best thing is to make a route that passes through all the ones you can visit or, even, park the motorhome and move by train or bus. But, if you can't see them all, these are our essentials:
- Strasbourg: its tradition dates back to the XNUMXth century, making it one of the oldest in France. Known as the "Capital of Christmas" of the Gallic country, in Strasbourg you will find the “Great Fir”, placed on Kléber Square, the highest decorated Christmas tree in Europe. In the more than 300 decorated booths you will enjoy an infinite number of Christmas traditions and products.
- Colmar: the Colmar Christmas market exudes an intimate and warm atmosphere in a city whose exceptional heritage serves as the setting for the party. You will love the succession of lively streets and alleys, where the smells of orange and cinnamon mingle. And at nightfall, a subtle play of light underlines the innumerable architectural riches that go from the Middle Ages to the XNUMXth century. A path of lights leads the walker to discover the five Christmas markets, each located in an idyllic environment and that gives off its own identity.
- Eguisheim: it is a Christmas market picturesque and intimate, focused on Alsatian customs and traditions. In fact, this market has obtained the seal "Christmas Towns and Cities", which rewards the authenticity and richness of French heritage. In addition, the walled town constitutes, in itself, a huge attraction for the visit. Walk its streets and don't forget to stop at the innumerable "nativity scenes" that the neighbors place at the door of their houses.
- Ribeauvillé: at Christmas, the village of Ribeauvillé shines with magic and immerses the visitor in a joyful medieval atmosphere. The City of Minstrels extracts from its history the necessary ingredients to offer a particularly original and successful medieval market, with animation that transports us to other times (beggars, peasants, dancers, walkers, etc. walking through the streets of the city), stalls selling sweet delicacies and salty (such as wild boar on a spit) and a wide range of decorations (advent wreaths, handmade nativity scenes, candles, etc.).
- Kaysersberg: The inhabitants of the medieval town of Kaysersberg decorate their windows with fir garlands, illuminating its streets as soon as night falls. The smells of cinnamon mingle with the scent of mulled wine through the lively streets for which it was named Favorite Town of the French in 2017. Do not miss its culinary specialties: the bredele, famous Christmas cakes with almonds, hazelnuts, aniseed, chocolate and vanilla; the kougelhopfs sweet or savory (strangely shaped brioches), Beraweckas (nut bread); or the manalas (brioche figurines). All this accompanied by a delicious chocolate or mulled wine.
To spend the night, you have a motorhome area in Kaysersberg, riding a Colmar and in Ribeauvillé.
Spain
Our country also has wonderful corners to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. The Christmas lights in most towns and cities in Spain they have already lit up and the markets open their doors. These are some of our recommendations:
- Vigo: eleven million led lights, a Christmas market, fairground attractions and other equally attractive settings are part of the offer of the Galician city for these Christmas dates. Every day, from 18.30:00.30 p.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX a.m., those who come to Vigo can enjoy a lighting that has already catapulted to fame to this city.
You can spend the night in Vigo motorhome area, with access to the city center by bus.
- The Escorial: The Madrid town of El Escorial offers one of the most spectacular Christmas plans every year: the Monumental Bethlehem, an event that has been declared Festival of Tourist Interest. From December 10 you can visit this spectacular nativity scene with life-size figures, free of charge and free access, which extends through the streets of the town. It also has a peculiarity, and that is that the clothes of the characters come from donations from the people of the town and represent the way of dressing of the villagers.
El Escorial has a campsite, although somewhat far from the town. There is no motorhome area, but there are no restrictions on overnight stays either. Of course, try to do it on the outskirts, since the streets are narrow.
- Barcelona: In the Catalan capital we can enjoy a beautiful Christmas market that is held every year in the surroundings of the Cathedral: the Fira de Santa Llúcia, which can be visited until Christmas Eve. In this market we can find crafts, gifts and, of course, Christmas items, including the one that makes Catalan nativity scenes famous: the caganer, a figure of a farmer who is represented crouched down, with his pants down and, let's say... doing his business.
You can spend the night in Barcelona Beach camper area, in Cabrera del Mar, and travel by commuter train to Barcelona.
Prague
La Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, in the heart of the city of Prague, host the christmas markets in the Czech capital, although we can find smaller ones in the Republic square, in the havel's market and even in the Castle, in the upper part of the city. From November 26 to January 6, the markets are open every day and admission is free.
The Christmas markets in Prague host wooden cabins decorated in bright colours, packed with local crafts and traditional Christmas sweets. Items on display include ceramics, jewelry, glassware, embroidered lace, wooden toys, candles, Christmas tree decorations, winter hats and gloves, and puppets and dolls dressed in traditional costumes.
Foodies can find some of the czech specialties, such as large hams roasted on spits (pražská Šunka); grilled sausages (sausage); bread covered with garlic, cheese and ketchup (langosh); smoked meat balls (knedlíky plněné uzeným masem); sweet dumplings (sladké knedlíky); pancakes (palačinky); or the traditional Czech Christmas fish soup (rybí polevka), made with carp, vegetables, cream and brandy. And, as a climax, we can try the trdelník, a rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, baked over an open fire, and then covered with a mixture of sugar and nuts.
To alleviate the cold, nothing better than enjoying a hot wine (svarák); with hot chocolate (bitter chocolate); honey wine (Mead); The Grog, a mixture of rum, water, lemon and sugar.
To spend the night, you can do it in the Trosjká overnight area, from where you can take the tram to get to the center of Prague.
Vienna
Christmas markets in Vienna are a millennial tradition. They date back to the Middle Ages, when in 1296 Albrecht I granted the citizens of Vienna the privilege of holding a December Market or krippenmarkt. Since then, the character and prevalence of these markets has changed considerably. Today, more than 20 official Advent markets They are held in the city, where you can find a wide variety of Christmas gifts and traditional food.
Among all of them, you cannot miss the one that is located in front of the Town Hall, a unique backdrop that gives this market its own charm, added to the delicious aromas that attract all visitors. Inside the Town Hall, on the ground floor, there is an area dedicated to children, where they can learn to make Christmas cookies or candles. you can also listen international choirs singing Christmas carols with free admission on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
At Belvedere Palace Christmas Market you can explore the baroque lifestyle and traditional crafts, framed in one of the most beautiful places in Vienna. More than 40 festively decorated market stalls offer traditional artisan products, elaborate Christmas decorations and special culinary delights.
And, of course, don't miss the Schönbrunn Palace Market, where 60 exhibitors offer crafts and original gifts, such as handmade Christmas decorations and nativity scenes. the fragrance of Vanilla crescents (crescent-shaped donuts) freshly baked and hot toddy fills the air creating a wonderful atmosphere.
To stay overnight, you can go to Vienna motorhome area, open all year round.
Estos son los de algunos best christmas destinations to visit by motorhome. And remember that, if you do not have your own vehicle, you can visit our section "Rental" and choose the motorhome that best suits your needs. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy the magic of Christmas in a motorhome!