Magical Christmas markets

Salzburg

21 November - 24 December

One of the oldest Christmas markets held in two main squares - the Old Market Place and elegant Baroque Cathedral Square - has lots of small log-cabin stalls. Specialities made by local artisans include hand-painted glass or pewter ornaments, elaborately painted wooden toys, candle-studded Advent wreaths, traditional and modern toys, lebkuchen (gingerbread), plus toasted almonds, roasted chestnuts and vanilla biscuits. Winter warmers add to the festive feeling - spicy gl¸hwein and Austrian sausages. Shopping bags can be stored on a "parcel bus". Appropriately for the birthplace of Mozart, street music and concerts abound, as well as open-air ice skating in Mozart Square.

Crystal Cities (0870 160 9030) has two nights at the three-star Hotel Residenz for £264pp B&B, including return flights from Heathrow and guidebook.

Stockholm

The city shimmers and sparkles in winter: in the old town, Gamlastan, sample glogg (mulled wine with spices) and a pepparkaka biscuit, in between shopping for traditional wooden toys and decorations. At the Skansen fair (30 November-15 December) 10 Swedish designers are showing alternative Christmas trees with a mix of textiles, sculpture and glass. For a contemporary twist: students sell off their designs at the Konstfack school of art fair on 7-8 December. Look for advent stars, jewellery, ceramics and glass.

Thomson Cities (0870 606 1476) has two nights at the Mˆladrottningen boat hotel for £308pp B&B, including return flights from Heathrow and guidebook.

Brussels

The city's Grand Place is transformed into a festive field of stalls, selling a selection of traditional handmade gifts and you can sample a wide variety of local festive delicacies. Wandering jugglers, musicians, painters, donkeys, sheep and cattle add to a unique atmosphere; mulled wine and baked apples ward off the chill. A fairground with an antique merry-go-round and an open-air ice-skating rink add to the festive air.

Cresta Holidays (0870 33 33 303, www.crestaholidays.co.uk) has two nights at the three-star Leopold Hotel for £205pp B&B, including return travel on Eurostar.

Nuremberg

In the romantic setting of the Old Town the Christkindlesmarkt - the "little town of wood and cloth" - comprises nearly 200 stalls of traditional toys, unusual Christmas decorations, tiny sweets to hang on your tree, and wooden carvings.

The aroma of gingerbread, cinnamon, sweet roast almonds and mulled wine floats in the air. Live open-air singing and music add to the atmosphere - canned Christmas music is banned.

The German Travel Centre (020 8429 2900) has two nights at the Maritime Hotel for £250pp B&B, including return flights from Heathrow or Stansted.

Strasbourg

Started 450 years ago, this market of several hundred stalls in three picturesque central venues sells handicrafts, from tapestry to copper work and handmade decorations. Known as the Christmas capital of Europe, things become magical as the light fades. Spectacular decorations deck a 100ft tree, there are horse-drawn buses, a giant decorated Ferris wheel and an ice rink. Bakeries work overtime producing cakes known as bredele, served with hot wine.

Bridge Travel (0870 191 7140) has three nights at the three-star Maison Rouge for £270pp B&B, including return flights from Gatwick.