The whole family going for an outing to a Christmas market is a staple of the holidays that is not to be ignored. The kids meet Santa, the adults enjoy some festive mulled wines, and everyone can enjoy the cheeses and chocolates and other goodies available from the traders.
And there are a lot to choose from, each offering their own experience. But if you are thinking of heading out of town for your Christmas market excursion, there are things to think about. Read on for all the details of everything you should prep for before heading to the Christmas market.
Decide where you are going
There are Christmas markets all over Europe offering the best experiences and memories that will last forever. For a winter wonderland, where you are guaranteed a shower of snow, head to Estonia. The Tallin Christmas Market is held in the beautiful medieval town which will look like a gingerbread house covered in powdered sugar as you wander the market.
But the most popular and well-known Christmas market is in Belgium. The fairytale city has a mile-long Christmas market over Place Sainte-Catherine, which can be reached with a quick 2-hour seat on the Eurostar. The country is known for its chocolate, but there are also Belgian waffles, caramelized apples and more to enjoy in the country.
If you are intending on staying in the country, take care. There are some Christmas markets that are not going ahead this year, but a lot are, so make sure to check before you go. One that is going ahead this year is the Manchester Christmas Market, which has become an award-winning staple of a British Christmas, attracting visitors from all over. Browse the 300 stalls spread across the city, offering gifts that range from bespoke jewelry to bonsai trees.
Set up your insurance
If you do plan to go out of the country for your chance to meet Santa, you should look into some travel insurance. A single-trip policy can cover you for trip cancellations or delays, medical expenses, lost or stolen baggage, and personal liability while you are traveling. Considering you will likely be in a busy environment, stolen items or getting an illness are all possibilities.
If you use someone like Staysure insurance, you are more likely to be covered against COVID. A lot of travel insurance companies still are not covering against COVID-related mishaps, so they offer another layer of coverage for you to use. If your trip is canceled due to COVID or you find yourself in a medical emergency, your single holiday insurance will cover you.
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Pre-book where you can
Parents are always wanting the best for their kids, so can you imagine how many parents want to see the same things you do. Santa will have to visit every child in the Western World so that he has his list ready for Christmas, so competition will be tough to visit him.
On top of that, a lot of venues are still asking for bookings in order to visit due to the recent pandemic. Whatever you spot online, be it a simple meal or a visit to see Rudolph, check if there is a booking option available. You don’t want to promise the little ones a visit from an elf only to see that they are completely booked up.
Markets are great places to simply wander and see where your nose takes you, but when cities are full of tourists looking for their ultimate Christmas experience alongside you, it would be best to prep and book ahead to avoid disappointment.
