Good place to visit pre-Xmas?

Hi

I am looking for somewhere to go before Xmas that is Xmasy to get us in the mood. I was wondering if Vienna was a good idea? Do you have Xmas markets and a festive feel?

I was considering Switzerland/Alsace or somewhere snowy and atmospheric...

Thanks

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Vienna makes for a great visit during this season.

As I have mentioned here before , this is my favorite time of the year in Vienna.

many Christmas markets to visit - some with unique gifts - others less so but still fun.

Some special ones to me

Schonbrunn Market - great atmosphere in front of the palace- often holiday music on the stage and a large decorated Christmas tree .

Freyung - compact but really nice things and usually good music about 17:30

Between the Fine Arts and Natural History Museum on the Ringstrasse-

a newer market but still interesting

The market at the rathaus by night .

Windows of the rathaus ( city Hall ) form a Advent calendar with one open each day.

The parks on each side nicely decorated - lighted at night -

The main shopping areas with nice lighting over these streets- great window shopping-

Numerous Punsch- wine stands to enjoy a warming drink and people watching.

And of course , a visit to a Vienna cafe-

a hot chocolate or other drink , some pastry and a chance to relax and et warm.

Come and visit !

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I´ll follow up vertical´s great post and provide you with a few links -

Schönbrunn Christmas Market www.weihnachtsmarkt.co.at

Christmas Villages (Upper Belvedere, between Fine Arts and Natural History Museum and Old General Hospital)

www.weihnachtsdorf.at

Old Viennese Christmas Market Freyung (also one of my favourites - Demmer, which is a tea house with some outlets, usually have a stall and their punch is wonderful. Even their children´s/non-alcoholic punch, which elsewhere often tastes like liquid chewing gum with about 1 kilo of sugar in it, is decidedly yummy.)

www.altwiener-markt.at/10828/ - should be updated in due course

Town Hall Square Christmas Market (Magic of Advent)

www.christkindlmarkt.at

Biedermeier area of Spittelberg

www.spittelberg.at/index.php…

The Vienna Tourist Board usually has lots of information and suggestions online by the end of October www.wien.info/en and you could check out a website designed by a Vienna fan, which I stumbled across a while ago, for pictures of Vienna during the advent - www.wienerleben.de (click on %26quot;weihnachtlich%26quot; in the menu).

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Very helpful thanks so much

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Vienna is definitely one of the most important cities when it comes to pre-christmas ambience and Christmas markets. A lot of people visit Vienna just for this and prove that such a mood can%26#39;t be found elsewhere.

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Thanks so much for this post and the replys. My daughters and I are going this pre-Christmas and this information is very valuable.

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I have to add my recommendation to the others posted here. Have been in Vienna in December twice plus I have been to numerous other locations in Austria and Germany during that time of the year. Vienna is the best! The Christmas Market at the Rathaus at night is great! You have to try the Punsch. Hope I spelt it right. Hot wine punch!!! Enjoy your visit. You will definitely come away with great memories, I know we have.

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Thanks so much. I have your suggestions in my %26quot;file%26quot;..We will be taking a river cruise from Vienna and end in Nuremberg with stops along the way-Regansberg, Melk, etc. Should I do all my shopping first in Vienna? We will be arriving a day early. I don%26#39;t know how to pace my shopping self.

M

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If you%26#39;re taking a river cruise you%26#39;re not going to have a lot of time at each stop for general shopping. If you are only meaning shopping at Christmas markets then be advised that Nuremberg has renowned ones too. What you buy where is the old dilemma. You don%26#39;t know if you%26#39;ll see that item at future markets, but if you buy it early you could possibly see a better or cheaper one later. Only you can decide, but you definitely won%26#39;t be able to %26quot;go back%26quot;!

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My Mother always told me, %26quot;Buy it when you see it.%26quot; Think I%26#39;ll follow her advise in Austria/Germany and bring an extra suitcase.

Thnaks.

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The Christmas market in Nuremberg is huge! They even have a post office that you can send cards from. Each of the markets will have some of the same items and some unique items. Stay away from the %26quot;made in china%26quot; and kathy Wolfhart items. You can get them back in the States. If you can while in Regansburg go to the Romantic Christmasmarket. It is held at the Thurns un Taxis Schloss (castle) and is very unique. You will have to pay to get into it and it is held in the courtyard of the schloss. Alot of handmade items and the food is very good. Are you going to Bamberg, Germany? Really neat little town and you have to try the smoked beer. Won%26#39;t get it anywhere else. Enjoy