ARE you looking forward to visiting Europe's Christmas markets this year? If so, the UK and Prague should be your destinations of choice, according to a ranking drawn up by the brand Christmas Tree World.
Ah, Christmas markets! The smell of roasted chestnuts, intertwined with the spicy scent of mulled wine, filling the freezing air. And of course, the handcrafted creations and the delicious delicacies that are proudly displayed on the little wooden stalls.
Deprived of the magic of these markets last year due to the pandemic, now is the time to get back out there and enjoy everything these festive events have to offer.
If you're interested in taking in the best of what Europe's Christmas markets have to offer, inspiration can be found in the form of a ranking drawn up by the e-commerce website Christmas Tree World, which has listed the top 15 Christmas markets in Europe.
The survey is based on several criteria, such as the duration of the market and the average price of a night's stay in the host city. Other factors assessed in the ranking include the number of Instagram mentions and the annual Google search volume for each Christmas market.
And the prize for the best Christmas market goes to... the city of Edinburgh! Running since 1999, the Scottish capital's seasonal market runs for an incredible 54 days, "giving you plenty of time to purchase gifts and enjoy the festivities," explain the authors of the ranking.
Next on the list, Europe's second-best Christmas market is also in the UK, this time in the city of Manchester.
"A powerhouse of the North, the Manchester Christmas market runs for a substantial 44 days and the popularity of the market can be seen in the vast number of people turning to Google to find out more with an annual average search volume of 74,460," explains Christmas Tree World.
In third place comes the Prague Christmas market in the Czech Republic, where the price of a hotel night is the key factor behind its place in the ranking. The average cost of a night in a three-star hotel is €48 (about RM227), rising to €69 for a four-star hotel.
As for the three "most Instagrammable" festive markets, the United Kingdom – and England, more precisely – is again the destination of choice for Christmas influencers, particularly the cities of Manchester and York.
Not to be outdone, the city of Strasbourg, France, and its famous festive market takes third place in this particular category. – ETX Daily Up, November 16, 2021
