holidays Archives

European Holiday Markets Worth Travelling For

November 18, 2025

Twinkling squares, centuries-old traditions and the scent of mulled wine in the air — if you’re craving a festive getaway, these are the holiday markets worth travelling for in 2025.

Vienna Christmas Market at Rathausplatz — Vienna, Austria

Dates: 14 November – 26 December 2025
Few cities do nostalgia quite like Vienna in December. At Rathausplatz (featured in our header image), strings of lights droop from towering trees, children swirl around the ice rink, and vendors hand out warm punsch in ceramic mugs. Come for the atmosphere — stay for the vanilla-scented pastries and beautifully crafted ornaments.

Old Town Square Christmas Market — Prague, Czech Republic

Dates: 29 November 2025 – 6 January 2026
Prague feels made for Christmas. In the shadow of its Gothic towers, the Old Town Square fills with carollers, wooden stalls and the glow of one of Europe’s most impressive holiday trees. Don’t miss a warm trdelník, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served piping hot.

Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market — Budapest, Hungary

Dates: 8 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
Budapest’s most beloved market blends old-world charm with festive creativity. Browse handmade ceramics, sip spicy mulled wine and tuck into hearty favourites like goulash served in a bread bowl. As the sun sets, the surrounding buildings light up with cascading illuminations.

Cologne Cathedral Christmas Market — Cologne, Germany

Dates: 17 November – 23 December 2025
Set beneath the dramatic spires of Cologne Cathedral, this market delivers pure holiday spectacle. More than a hundred red-roofed stalls sell everything from artisanal woodwork to gingerbread hearts, while the city’s giant Christmas tree anchors the scene.

Winter Wonders — Brussels, Belgium

Dates: 28 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Brussels stretches its celebrations across the city centre, creating a lively trail of more than 250 chalets, light projections and a charming Ferris wheel. It’s also the perfect place to sample seasonal Belgian treats: think warm waffles, speculoos and rich hot chocolate.

Christkindelsmärik — Strasbourg, France

Dates: 26 November – 24 December 2025
Often called the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg’s centuries-old market unfolds across the city’s half-timbered old town. Expect glowing lanterns, Alsatian specialties and some of the most beautifully decorated streets in Europe.

Amsterdam Christmas Markets — Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dates: 15 November 2025 – 3 January 2026
With ice rinks, cosy pop-up markets and canals draped in fairy lights, Amsterdam turns into a winter postcard. The city’s neighbourhood markets are especially charming — smaller, more local, and perfect for browsing with a warm stroopwafel in hand.

Tallinn Christmas Market — Tallinn, Estonia

Dates: 22 November – 27 December 2025
Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town becomes a storybook come to life each winter. Expect a traditional village square, twinkling lights against medieval stone walls, and steaming mugs of glögi (Nordic mulled wine). Rumour has it, this was home to Europe’s first public Christmas tree.

Holiday Gift Guide

November 12, 2021

1. COCKTAIL KIT
Impress and treat your guests with a professionally handmade cocktail from The Cocktail Box Co. Choose from six classic on-the-go cocktails to be enjoyed from anywhere, including the citrusy Moscow Mule or the smoky signature Old Fashioned. Each cocktail kit serves six and features high-end organic ingredients, a bartender’s spoon and muddler, three cocktail picks, as well as a hand-knit cocktail napkin. Alcohol sold separately. $24.99.
(thecocktailboxco.com/ca/ )

2. LUGGAGE
Stuck choosing between checking a bag or cramming everything into a carryon? Away makes it easy, with their newest piece of luggage, The
Bigger Carry-On. Available in nine sophisticated colours, including Coast, Sand, and Asphalt, this smart suitcase features a durable polycarbonate hard shell and 360° spinner wheels, as well as a hidden interior laundry bag. There’s also a built-in TSA-approved USB charger which makes it easy
to stay connected on-the-go. $325-$355.
(awaytravel.com)

3. SANITIZER
My Paume is a luxurious, eco-friendly hand sanitizer that not only wards off harmful germs, but nourishes and protects skin as well — thanks to a unique blend of essential oils like lemon, cedar, citrus, rosemary, and lavender, and
premium plant-based emollients like certified organic aloe vera powder, and 69% ethyl alcohol. The Essentials Kit from My Paume features a refillable pump that can hold 8 oz of product, a 170 oz refillable bag, and a 30 oz
refillable bag (perfect for the car or the plane), for a total of 500 applications. All of the packaging from My Paume is crafted from biodegradable materials or recycled plastic. $72.
(mypaume.com)

4. ESPRESSO MACHINE
De’Longhi’s dishwasher-safe Dinamica LatteCrema automatic coffee and espresso machine features a one-touch LCD display that can create 18 unique espressos and specialty coffees at the touch of a button. An included milk frother creates the perfect foam every time, and the machine’s dual thermoblock system lets you create iced versions of your favourite lattes, cappuccinos, and coffees. There’s also a built-in conical Burr grinder that features 13 settings to freshly grind a variety of coffee and espresso beans. $1,299.95.
(delonghi.com)

5. ELECTRIC WINE OPENER
Tired of getting the cork stuck halfway? Rabbit, a leading maker of wine accessories and barware, has developed an electric wine opener with a non-stick worm that removes stubborn corks with ease at the touch of a button.
Finished in soft navy matte and satin-finished champagne steel that looks great on any kitchen counter, the Rabbit also comes with two wine stoppers. $109.95.
(crateandbarrel.ca)

6. BED SHEETS
Cold winter nights call for a cozy sleep. Proudly Canadian, these wrinkle-free sheets from Benji offer the ultra-soft luxurious feel of 1,500 threads per square inch, without the extravagant price tag. Made from high-quality double-brushed microfiber that’s both breathable and moisture-resistant,
these sheets are also environmentally-certified and free of harmful fibers or contaminants, making them the perfect pick for those with allergies or sensitive skin. Benji offers a variety of colours and patterns to choose from,
and also sells duvets, pillowcases, and comforter sets all made from the same soft fabric. $95.
(benjisleep.com)

7. CARD GAME
The holidays are meant for spending time with loved ones. “Hygge” is a Danish word that refers to a feeling of togetherness, which is why The Hygge Game is the perfect gift to unbox after dinner. With more than 300 thought-provoking, inspirational, and family-friendly questions, The Hygge Game aims to spark conversation and meaningful discussion based on a recollection of memories or moments, big and small. The Hygge Game is suitable for ages 14 and up and requires two or more players. $25.40.
(amazon.ca)

8. SKI PACK
Hit the slopes in style over the holidays with a stylish new ski pack from Mountain Hardware. The Powabunga was designed for those who enjoy backcountry skiing. Made from a durable, super bomber nylon fabric, it includes a padded hip belt that is attached at multiple lash points to allow for free movement, including while standing. The tuckable front helmet hammock allows for the helmet to be stowed below the pack, giving unobstructed access to the large-zip front navy tool pocket. $260.
(mountainhardwear.ca)

9. SLIPPERS
Perfect for the cottage or at home, L.L. Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins are constructed from superior sheepskin and lined with cozy shearling that keeps feet warm and dry. Featuring rawhide laces, a contoured memory foam footbed, and also a durable outer sole, these moccasins can also be worn outside. Available in women’s from sizes 5 to 11, and men’s in sizes 7 to 14. $129.
(llbean.ca)

10. IPHONE 13 PRO
The camera is the focus on the all-new iPhone 13 Pro. Made from surgical-grade stainless steel and coated in a ceramic shield, this is Apple’s most advanced camera phone to date, with next-level hardware and superintelligent built-in software and a lens that can focus as close as two centimetres. Macro video capabilities that support time lapse and slow motion are also possible. Perfect for low light conditions, the iPhone 13 Pro brings night photography to life, with an even wider aperture, a faster sensor and all-new autofocus. It’s available in four trendy colours, including Sierra Blue, Graphite, Silver, or Gold. $1,399.
(apple.com)

Story by Christine Hogg