If another season shopping for uninspired gifts in a crowded mall leaves you feeling less than festive, then consider a more authentic approach with Rocco Forte Hotels’ guide to Europe’s best holiday season markets. Take full advantage of the ‘Festive Markets & Magic Experience’ and receive up to a third off when booking two consecutive nights or more; an offer bound to reignite your festive spirit.
Setting the standard for European luxury, each Rocco Forte Hotel is located within a cultural, awe-inspiring city where Middle Eastern guests can roam the frost-bitten streets as they pick-up unique gifts – in quaint European stalls – for loved ones.
Frankfurt is considered one of the most important of the 2,500 festive markets in Germany, dating back to 1393. In the striking surroundings of Römerberg and Paulsplatz, the market is one of the most elaborately decorated, and centers on a huge tree. Traditionally known for the handicrafts, toys, and wooden hobbyhorses, in the late 19th century, it was common practice for Frankfurt parents to buy toys at the festive market and nowhere else. Stay at Villa Kennedy and indulge in the locals’ love of marzipan-filled Bethmaennchen and other Frankfurt biscuits.
In Munich, ‘Christkindl Markt’ is celebrated at Marienplatz, in the Old Town and is the highlight of the city’s holiday season. Historically known for gingerbread, manger figurines, and chimney sweeps made out of plums and almonds, today visitors flock there for Bavarian woodcarvings, traditional toys, and glass crystals with the soundtrack of traditional songs from the balcony of the town hall. Families staying at The Charles Hotel, should head to the ‘Heavenly Workshop’ at the Town Hall, offering arts and crafts and cookie baking for little market visitors.
To experience the Czech festive magic at the Augustine Hotel, don’t miss Prague’s ‘Vanocni trh’, held in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. With a patron saint immortalized in a festive carol, Good King Wenceslas, it’s no surprise that the city is a real life winter wonderland. The brightly decorated wooden huts sell stocking fillers such as Bohemian Crystal, jewellery, ceramics, puppets and tree ornaments. Children will be saucer-eyed meeting sheep’s, donkeys and goats at the nativity scenes in the Old Town Square.
The Manchester festive market has become a firm fixture in the local yuletide countdown. One of the largest in the UK, this award-winning market has a mind-boggling array of stalls offering mouth-watering delicacies and handmade crafts from across Europe. First sample Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella or French profiteroles. Then spread the cheer with beautiful gifts, from leather bags to Dutch cheeses, or amber jewellery. With stallholders coming from all over the continent, guests at The Lowry Hotel should brush up on their pleasantries in many languages to secure the best prices.
In the run up to the holiday, gift-giving season, a visit to St Petersburg almost always guarantees snow. Markets are dotted throughout the city centre and with the holiday officially being celebrated on January 7, 2012 in Russia, there is plenty of time to get those essential gifts. Guests at Hotel Astoria will find almost anything on sale here, from traditional Russian handicrafts and Soviet artefacts to tasty local treats. While prices may seem steep, stall holders expect everyone to bargain and you’ll often be able to pick up a gift at half its original price.
In Rome, the Festive Market or Mercatino di Natale can be found on one of the city’s most beautiful squares, the Piazza Navona. Stalls here are packed with trinkets, ornaments and mouth-watering foods. With the Italians priding themselves on their elaborate nativity scenes, guests at Hotel de Russie should head to St Peter’s Square to witness Rome’s most gargantuan ‘presepe’ or nativity scene. In Florence, small markets are doted around the city while the Piazza Santa Croce plays host to the largest of its traditional Festive Markets. Here, guests at Hotel Savoy will find vast array of seasonal gifts, traditional crib displays and an abundance of Tuscan delicacies on sale. During this time of year, many of the city’s churches also see countless choral performances while the adventurous can have a go at ice skating at Paterre.