Off to market

Ed Reed brings you the best of this season's great Christmas Market short breaks, the perfect way to kick off the season, and pick up a few bargains to boot...

With the best will in the world, it's difficult to evoke the spirit of Christmas walking through a grey pedestrian precinct in the bleak English weather. Tour operators offer a huge range of trips to beautiful Christmas markets in some of Europe's most historic towns and cities - a much more exciting and festive way to do your shopping, and pick up some unusual and bargain gifts. Travelling either by car, coach, train or plane, there is a trip to suit all wallets and diaries. So why not swap chain store facades and poured concrete pavements for cobbles, beautiful shops and some authentic Christmas flavours?

Inntravel offers Christmas market breaks to Lucerne, Bruges and Lille. David Quick, Inntravel's marketing director, comments: "Our customers enjoy experiencing how other cultures build up to Christmas, so they look for markets that offer local produce and crafts. Just as important on a break is a welcoming, comfortable hotel and the chance to enjoy excellent cuisine at our recommended restaurants. Everyone, of course, also takes the opportunity to stock up on basics at the hypermarkets!"

Holidays to Lucerne in Switzerland flying from Heathrow with Swissair cost £465 for three nights, staying in three-star accommodation. Pretty decorations hang from historic buildings and daily Christmas markets are held, as well as the regular craft and food stalls. You can stay in the old town and take a wonderful day-long journey by boat, cog railway and cable car onto the peak of Mount Rigi for spectacular winter views. Alternatively, a self-drive two-night weekend break to the popular destination of Bruges in Belgium costs £97 based on four adults travelling together and staying in a three-star hotel. Upgrading to four-star accommodation costs £152. Bruges is possibly the most picturesque city in Europe. Take a trip back in time strolling down cobbled streets or gliding along the network of ancient canals. The remarkable medieval architecture and storehouses of art are a delight. Countless small galleries display works by Van Dyck, Bruegel and Bosch.

Self-drive weekend trips to Lille staying in a four-star hotel cost £164, again based on four adults sharing. Lille is a town in Flanders formerly as the Manchester of France thanks to its textile heritage. The old quarter has been cleaned up to attract tourists for the Christmas festivities. Many destinations offer an additional night free to encourage visitors to stay longer so check out potential deals before travelling.

Great Rail Journeys offer four-day trips to Cologne in Germany. The streets of the Old Town of Cologne are thronged with stalls selling a fascinating array of wares, as well as plenty of sausage, wine and beer. A departure on December 6 costs £325 per person, while a December 16 (First Class) departure costs £425 per person.

Great Escapes also runs Christmas Market trips to Lille and Bruges, but also to Prague. Kate Winter, Great Escapes product manager, says all three locations are very different: "Lille is covered in colours when the Christmas markets are complemented by illuminations."Prague really does become a winter wonderland, where visitors can browse many of the hand-crafted wares in the markets."

Great Escapes offer travel to Lille between November 23 and December 28. Prices for two nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the two-star Hotel Lille Europe range from £124 per person. This price is based on Friday to Sunday travel with Eurostar. To experience the winter wonderland magic of Prague, Great Escapes offers three nights bed and breakfast at the four-star Maximilian Hotel from £275 per person between December 3 and January 6. This is based on return BA flights from Heathrow or Gatwick, travelling Monday to Thursday. With this deal you can also enjoy a fourth night free. The tour operator also offers two nights in Bruges at the three-star Grand Hotel Oude de Burgcon priced from £111 per person. This is based on return channel crossing by ferry or Eurotunnel. For travel by Eurostar the price increases to £150 per person. The package includes a third night free for arrivals on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

WA Shearings offers longer trips; their Christmas cruise visits various markets around Germany via the country's waterways making for a truly unique break. Price per person is £329 staying on board the MV Amazonica, which includes six nights dinner, bed and breakfast with three lunches whilst on board ship. The cruise takes in Düsseldorf, Cologne, Bonn and Koblenz. Or perhaps you'd prefer a coach trip to Germany's Black Forest? The price per person is £315, includes six nights dinner, bed and breakfast in four-star accommodation as well as excursions to Freiburg and Freudenstadt Christmas Markets.

INFORMATION:
Great Escapes: 0845 330 2089 or www.greatescapes.co.uk
Inntravel: 01653 617788 or www.inntravel.co.uk.
Great Rail Journeys: 01904 521940 or www.greatrail.com
WA Shearings: 0112 263 4234 or www.wallacearnold.com