COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

The most popular destination for the festive cheer in Denmark is Tivoli – the world’s second oldest amusement park and the inspiration behind Disneyland.  Boasting an Alp Village, a spectacular fireworks festival, and the candlelit Saint Lucia procession by a 100-strong girl choir all in addition to a 50 stall traditional Christmas market.

The recommendation traditional fare is Gløgg (a warming mulled wine) and Æbleskiver pancakes (a tasty Danish dessert that looks like round puffy pancakes filled with apple).

Nyhavn Christmas Market is also worth frequenting whilst in Copenhagen, it is located along the waterside of the old harbour and features food, drinks, entertainment and Danish crafts. Nyhavn was home to Hans Christian Andersen and is a haven for foodies, all drawn to its numerous restaurants.

One attraction not to be missed is the legendary two Michelin star restaurant Noma, which for four of the past five years, has held the title of ‘Best Restaurant in the World’ by Restaurant magazine

VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Located at the front of the City Hall, the Vienna Christmas Market lures in locals and visitors alike with aromas of mulled wine, hot chestnuts and spiced candles.

The Christmas Market tradition was born in Vienna, with the first Krippenmarkt (December Market) recorded as early as 1298.

The Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung, which has been held in the city centre since 1772 is renowned for glass decorations, handicrafts, traditional cribs and ceramics. Festive Advent music can also be heard on the square every day from 4pm.

We also recommend visiting the The Vienna Opera Ball. Although the world-famous ball doesn’t take place until February, tickets book up early, as it is one of the highlights of the international opera calendar.

DRESDEN, GERMANY

Germany is well known for its Christmas markets and no German city more so than Dresden.

The market is famed for building the world’s tallest Christmas Pyramid (a carousel-like tower that predates the Christmas tree), and displaying the world’s biggest nutcracker. Located nearby is the Erzgebirge mountain range which is where most of Central Europe’s Christmas gifts, decorations and toys are crafted.

The city also hosts the acclaimed Winterlights of Dresden, which covers a mile long parade of stalls and shops along Prager Straße to the south of the city. A 50-foot Christmas tree and numerous markets line the route. When here we recommend you try and catch StollenFest on 6th December, where the world’s largest stollen Christmas cake (4m x 2m x 1m and weighing a staggering 4 tonnes) is paraded through the town and then sold at the market with all profits going to charity.

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

It is hardly surprising that Brussel displays a spectacular array of Chocolate gifts at Christmas. Weaving a course through some of the most stunning areas of the Belgian capital, the Plaisirs D’Hiver tastefully blends seasonal tradition with cutting edge technology.

The 19th Century Place St Catherine becomes an ice cathedral courtesy of 3D video mapping, and the city’s Grand Place central square is transformed by a state-of-the-art sound and light installations.

At Place De La Monnaie Muntplein, a 200-foot ice rink pulls in the crowds, and for those who are in town for Christmas present shopping, the 230 stores and stalls that line the route are open until late every night.

If you fancy getting involved yourself why not sign up for a chocolate making course at the workshop of leading chocolatiers, Zaabär.