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by Sergio Santos
When the leaves fall from the trees and the first snow hits the ground, hotels in Vienna fill up as the city becomes a winter wonderland dedicated to Christmas markets (Christkindlmärkte), Glühwein, and festive frivolity.
Typically, there is a Christmas market on every street corner offering a vast range of different products. Glühwein (hot sweetened wine) is a staple and is the perfect tonic to combat the plummeting temperatures but be careful as it is alcoholic, not to mention highly addictive!
Unlike the shove and push mania of Christmas shopping in Britain for the usual commercialised tat, the Christmas markets in Vienna offer an opportunity for tourists to emerge from their hotels when they wish and shop at a more relaxed pace. Furthermore, there is a vast range of traditional handmade goods which harks back to yesteryear and the nostalgia of a typical Victorian Christmas. Add in the snow and you have an almost picture-perfect festive scene.
Vienna’s classic Christmas market takes place in front of the City Hall (Rathausplatz). Here, the trees are elaborately decorated and it is a pleasure to walk in their midst, the twinkling from the lights warming your soul like the Glühwein warms your body. Highlights of this market include the Kasperl tree, which is decorated with seals, and the Herzerlbaum or The Tree of Hearts.
The Christmas Market at Spittelberg is not to be missed, largely for its historical setting. One of Vienna’s more authentic markets, the stalls are squeezed into tight cobbled alleyways which are steeped in history. The fare of traditional and original handicrafts only adds to the authenticity of this experience, which is a million miles away from the twenty-first century.
Finally, the market at the Schoenbrunn Palace provides a romantic and breathtaking backdrop which is only enhanced by the festive illuminations. The Schoenbrunn Palace was the former summer residence of the Austrian Emperors and is a tourist attraction in itself. When you add festive concerts to enliven the mood and the delicious scent of gingerbread which pervades the market, a magical experience is guaranteed.
Of course, German-style Christmas markets have invaded the UK too but nothing beats the relaxed atmosphere and the sheer delight of the market in Vienna.
What a beautiful city in Christmas, vienna is one of the cities that becomes more beautiful in winter and shopping in Christmas markets is a big joy for Vienna visitors, Happy Christmas