Xmas market, close to Calais

[AF07]

Short trip so don’t want to venture too far from Calais (about 200-250 miles is fine).

I’ve already done Brugge which was stunning and very close to Calais but fancy Germany this time.

Cologne is about 2/3 hours I think? Anyone been and is it worth the extra drive? Or any other recommendations?

Edited by AF07 on Sunday 2nd October 13:26

[Lotusgone]

Less of an overseas adventure, but there's a Christmas market at Holkham Hall in Norfolk in December.

[AF07]

Thanks but I’m in Suffolk so wouldn’t feel much of a holiday lol!

Already booked the Eurotunnel as well.

[andyA700]

AF07 said:

Thanks but I’m in Suffolk so wouldn’t feel much of a holiday lol!

Already booked the Eurotunnel as well.

We have been to the one at Lille and it was good. The following link may give you some ideas. I reckon Rheims might be really good.

https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/holiday-ideas/the-be...

[AF07]

Sorry my fault for not giving enough info but when we did Brugge we actually stayed in Lille and done the market there as well.

I really fancy Germany for some reason and just wondering if cologne is worth the extra drive.

[Bluemondy]

From experience, German Christmas markets are one of the best. We're thinking of Dusseldorf this year via Eurostar.

Can't comment on your specific location, but Google maps can we handy. Just go to your city of choice and Google Christmas markets!

Just had a quick look. 5 in cologne & 5 in Dusseldorf. Knowing the Germans will be easy enough to train between the two.

Edited by Bluemondy on Sunday 2nd October 15:24

[sunbeam alpine]

Cologne is (or was*) a great Xmas market. Went to Aachen in December a couple of years back to pick up a set of wheels for a classic Alfa, and ended up staying a night and doing the Xmas market. It was really lovely - although quite a bit smaller than Cologne- it was full of real craft stalls, no stalls just selling tat.

• It was about 20 years ago that we went to Cologne.

[AF07]

Bluemondy said:

From experience, German Christmas markets are one of the best. We're thinking of Dusseldorf this year via Eurostar.

Can't comment on your specific location, but Google maps can we handy. Just go to your city of choice and Google Christmas markets!

Just had a quick look. 5 in cologne & 5 in Dusseldorf. Knowing the Germans will be easy enough to train between the two.

Edited by Bluemondy on Sunday 2nd October 15:24

I’m happy to travel 2-300 miles from Calais max so I think it cologne is within range.

Thanks, hadn’t thought about training to another city once there but tbh I don’t think I’ll have time for multiple destinations.

[AF07]

sunbeam alpine said:

Cologne is (or was*) a great Xmas market. Went to Aachen in December a couple of years back to pick up a set of wheels for a classic Alfa, and ended up staying a night and doing the Xmas market. It was really lovely - although quite a bit smaller than Cologne- it was full of real craft stalls, no stalls just selling tat.

• It was about 20 years ago that we went to Cologne.

Thanks, sounds a bit like Brugge which is also quite small but more than enough for a couple of days.

[RedAndy]

worth the drive, but its a fair bit more than you wanted to go. https://www.wernigerode-tourismus.de/weihnachten-i...

or maybe Luxembourg? Probably about the same distance as Koln.

Maastrict was nice too.

[AF07]

Definitely a bit too far but good shout for another trip when I have more time.

Luxembourg sounds interesting as it’s about the same distance as cologne.

[Deesee]

Amiens is great.

[ecsrobin]

I visited Aachen and Cologne last year, Aachen was really nice but quite small (you also have the Lindt factory outlet https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJ48uYNZAJVgRZCR8?g_st=ic Bahlsen biscuit outlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mjwZyMAxwj9ApW7z6?g_st=ic and the Lambertz gingerbread outlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tTgM4o8Cu7Kss2KF7?g_st=ic all next to each other)

Cologne is a lot bigger with numerous markets around the city. If visiting I highly recommend the Fruh brewery for food and beer.

Monschau is also nearby which i have been to a few times but never the Christmas market. It’s meant to be very nice but it will be quite small.

[numtumfutunch]

No idea of Christmas markets but visited Cologne and Bonn this year

Cologne was corporate, generic US high street and hugely busy and impersonal whereas Bonn was compact, authentic and really lovely

Cheers

EDIT: we spent a week in Germany and the only time I felt safe enough to hit 150mph was on the Autobahn going from Kohn to Bonn

[Riley Blue]

Valkenburg is reckoned to be very good and is just over 200 miles from Calais: https://www.christmastownvalkenburg.com

[AF07]

Riley Blue said:

Valkenburg is reckoned to be very good and is just over 200 miles from Calais: https://www.christmastownvalkenburg.com

Great shout, it’s also close to Aachen which someone else suggested so I can do both, think destination sorted cheers!

[AF07]

numtumfutunch said:

No idea of Christmas markets but visited Cologne and Bonn this year

Cologne was corporate, generic US high street and hugely busy and impersonal whereas Bonn was compact, authentic and really lovely

Cheers

EDIT: we spent a week in Germany and the only time I felt safe enough to hit 150mph was on the Autobahn going from Kohn to Bonn

I have an ev so no chance of trying to break any speed records!

Re cologne I can believe that, but maybe at Xmas it feels different with the markets and lights etc.

[AF07]

ecsrobin said:

I visited Aachen and Cologne last year, Aachen was really nice but quite small (you also have the Lindt factory outlet https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJ48uYNZAJVgRZCR8?g_st=ic Bahlsen biscuit outlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mjwZyMAxwj9ApW7z6?g_st=ic and the Lambertz gingerbread outlet
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tTgM4o8Cu7Kss2KF7?g_st=ic all next to each other)

Cologne is a lot bigger with numerous markets around the city. If visiting I highly recommend the Fruh brewery for food and beer.

Monschau is also nearby which i have been to a few times but never the Christmas market. It’s meant to be very nice but it will be quite small.

Cheers for the Aachen tip, think I’ll do that. It’s only a very short break so don’t mind a small place.

[ecsrobin]

AF07 said:

Riley Blue said:

Valkenburg is reckoned to be very good and is just over 200 miles from Calais: https://www.christmastownvalkenburg.com

Great shout, it’s also close to Aachen which someone else suggested so I can do both, think destination sorted cheers!

Worth noting keep on top of covid rules. We were planning to do Valkenburg last year but Holland wouldn’t allow us in from memory even vaccinated so changed to Cologne. Germany has just re-introduced FP2 masks on public transport and states have powers to change as they see fit. We had no issues complying last winter but know for some they don’t agree so wouldn’t want to travel.

[DodgyGeezer]

Monschau in Germany - small, but lovely