Group Travel: The alternative way to celebrate Christmas

 Need an alternative way to celebrate Christmas with your hard working team this year? Want to take friends and family on a short City break? Just love Christmas and can’t get enough of the festive period? Discover the best European Christmas Markets with Red7. With some amazing winter airline deals, you can grab some cheap flights from Gatwick, Luton or Stansted.

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the late middle ages in the German-speaking part of Europe. The Christmas markets of Bautzen were first held in 1384. Dresden’s Striezelmarkt was first held in 1434. Frankfurt’s market was first mentioned in 1393, Munich’s in 1310, and Augsburg’s in 1498. In Austria, Vienna’s “December market” can be considered a forerunner of Christmas markets and dates back to 1298.

In many towns in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Advent is usually ushered in with the opening of the Christmas market or “Weihnachtsmarkt”. Traditionally held in the town square, the market has food, drink and seasonal items from open-air stalls accompanied by traditional singing and dancing.

So, if you’re in need of a pre-Christmas getaway with your friends and family, or you want to whisk the team away for a Staff Christmas Party to remember, there is no better way to spend a chilly winter weekend than strolling through one of Europe’s magical Christmas markets. From Berlin and Hamburg in Germany to the stunning lights of Prague and Krakow, you’ll discover winter wonderlands fit for Santa himself. Enjoy the scent of cinnamon swirling through the air as you discover warm eats and delicious festive treats that will put you in the festive spirit in no time. Prague is possibly never more beautiful than when it’s dusted with snow!

Shop in the rows of Christmas stalls for those perfect stocking fillers, try a selection of Christmassy drinks and spend quality time in cosy restaurants lit up with the magic of winter. And, after a day of shopping, eating, drinking and selfie-taking, hit the local bars and clubs where having fun is mandatory!

We’ve picked our favourite European Christmas Markets.

Berlin, Germany 

A Berlin short break group holiday is truly unique – there is no other place like it with art, sport and live performances on every corner. Berlin has a lot to offer for shopaholics, lovers of luxury, foodies, cyclists, and sports fans. Let yourself be inspired. Be sure to visit the popular food markets in Berlin’s market halls and try out street foods from all over the world. And no Berlin visit is complete without a taste of local cuisine.

The City comes alive with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas with some of the best Christmas Markets. It’s slap in the middle of Europe, with a reputation for being a destination for both drinkers, adventurers, and clubbers. Drinkers can have their fill on a beer hall or brewery tour, sampling Berlin’s finest on the way.

Enjoy the Christmas Markets of Berlin, from just £116.26 per person – add flights from just £97.98 pp.

Learn more about Berlin

Bratislava, Slovakia 

Bratislava is an exciting and unusual City, not just at Christmas time. With eccentric activities like armoured tank rides, mud wrestling and bridge swinging, you can really let yourself go wild! Visit during November and December and you’ll enjoy some of Eastern Europe’s most magical Christmas Markets, where the City comes alive with the sights and smells of Christmas.

The capital of Slovakia revolves around two core squares; Hlavne namestie, the main square, and Hviezdoslavovo namestie. Around these lies the unusually small historic centre and here you can find a high concentration of restaurants, bars and clubs.

Bratislava Castle dominates the city skyline and if there is just one sight you see, it should be this one. On a nice day you could take a couple of beers with you and enjoy them from the ramparts as they offer great views across the city. The Slovaks produce several varieties of beer which is worth sampling, solely for cultural research purposes, obviously. For the spirit drinkers, Slovakia is the proud producer of Slivovica; it has been claimed that it is Europe’s answer to tequila…well, when in Rome.

When it comes to food Slovakia will not be beaten; they have maintained their strong agricultural heritage which allows their restaurants to use a wide range of the freshest ingredients. Traditional food is largely made up of goulashes, stews and soup – the perfect way to warm up after a long day in exploring the City.

Budapest 

A classy location with many names from the ‘Pearl of the Danube’ to the ‘City of Spas’ to even the ‘Paris of East Budapest’, Budapest has a huge reputation as a fantastic spot for every kind of celebration from weekends relaxing in the

world-famous baths and spas, to a night out on their infamous club scene, complete with more than a little naughty late night madness. From shooting to stripping, Budapest brings its unique character to your party for an experience you’ll be talking about for years after.

Budapest is split down the middle by the Danube River. On one side is the energetic, vibrant Pest which is packed full of things to do and people to see and on the other is Buda, must hillier and more rural but a great place for enjoying a few outdoor pursuits or passing through as you head off out on an activity.

At Christmas, Budapest has two main markets. The most beautiful, oldest and internationally acclaimed Budapest Christmas fair is the Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square in the heart of the city. The Christmas market on St Stephen’s Square is right in front of the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica, one of the biggest churches in Hungary. Entering via the giant Advent gate, you will find yourself among a hundred handcrafts stalls and a skating rink set up on St Istvan Square.

What makes many of the Christmas markets really enticing and outstanding in Budapest is that there is a real focus on trying to preserve authentic Hungarian folk art and traditions.

Hamburg 

Hamburg’s appeal can be narrowed down to one simple calling card: Welcome to one of the coolest cities on earth. Germany’s second largest city is situated on the beautiful Elbe and Alstar rivers, and serves up a fantastic assortment of gardens, theatres, restaurants and bars.

Some of the ‘nicest’ Christmas Markets, the Grand Town Hall is the backdrop to stalls and food concessions with the very best German craftship you’ll find anywhere in the country.

Hamburg is located on the beautiful Elbe and Alstar rivers and is home to one of the largest harbours in Europe. As well as enjoying the harbour tour or a walk along the riverside, there are stunning gardens, historical buildings and great restaurants to sample the local cuisine. Hamburg is also known for its wide choice in musicals rivalling the likes of London and New York having put on “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera” in the past.

By night, Hamburg is full to bursting with classy cocktail bars, dance-all-night clubs and neighbourhood bars and pubs that both reflect each neighbourhood’s identity and define it. Could this be the perfect office party destination!? Why not find out with a Christmas party to remember!

Krakow, Poland 

Krakow may be Poland’s second city but it’s the best group destination in all of Poland! Large thriving bars and clubs serving floods of beer and other less “cultural” venues showing performances that any red-blooded male would love, are what make Krakow such a great place. The city also benefits for having some of the best activities around – with a selection of adventurous pursuits and amazing winter markets.

The Vistula River splits Krakow; the northern bank is home to the Old Town which is the heart of Krakow. Despite first appearances, the city was not in fact designed for one epically large bar crawl, although the Old Town area down to the historic Kazimierz district does seem to be a particularly good area if you were to do one.

The appeal of Krakow is not the sheer volume of venues, but their proximity to one another, making it an ideal destination for your group holiday destination. If you’re looking to test yourselves, head to the area between ulica Szeroka (street) and plac Nowy (square) where there’s a high concentration of pubs and bars.

The seasons also provide an interesting aspect to the nightlife. During the colder months, everyone moves into underground cellars across the city to party.

Prague, Czech Republic 

Easy and cheap to get to, and inexpensive when you’re there, Prague is a very popular City break destination, especially at Winter when the City couldn’t be more beautiful. Prague is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Czech Republic with its classic historical feel.

Prague in the day time is a beautiful sight to behold with its classic historical appearance and wonderful countryside.

Czechs are mightily proud of their beer, so chances are you’ll want to try a pint or two (or three!). The heart of the drinking district in Prague is based around the Old Town and Wenceslas Square, as are the Christmas Market stalls and concessions.

Enjoy the Christmas Markets of Prague – three nights, guided Christmas Markets experience, River Cruise, night club and airport transfers from just £211.33 per person – add flights from just £118.98pp.

Learn more about Prague.

So, enjoy the best European Christmas Markets this November and December with Red7. Call the Group Travel Expert, Red7, today on 01273 872200 or make an online enquiry.

 

Paul Williams, Product Manager 

Paul joined Red7 in 2017 as a member of the Sales team and moved across to Product in 2018. He is responsible for managing all Red7’s supplier relationships. That’s a lot of destinations and activities! 

His favourite place to visit is Berlin in the spring, the German Capital is quieter than the peak summer months but still warm and buzzy; or Barcelona in the Summer – he loves the hustle and bustle of Spain’s second biggest city and epsecially the port area with it’s many bars and seafood restaurants.  

The best thing about working for Red7 is creating a new holiday package and seeing it brought to life by the sales team and delivered in to the customer – and of course visiting every destination now and then to check it’s still fun!