CHRISTMAS MARKETS: ALL THE EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED!

Lovers of Christmas shopping and Nordic atmospheres, this article is for you. Are you waiting all year for this moment to dedicate yourself to trips to the various Christmas markets to stock up on typical products and ad hoc gifts? Then you should take a look at the following list where you can find the most beautiful and suggestive destinations in perfect Christmas theme. From the fairs in Northern Italy to those in Vienna, Berlin or Stockholm: here are the Christmas markets to visit at least once if you are a true fan.

In Trentino

Always among the favorite destinations for lovers of the sector, Trentino offers a wide choice of markets, culinary delicacies and fairs on local crafts. Madonna di Campiglio, Rovereto and Trento are the most recommended destinations for the occasion: from local culinary products, to furniture items, toys or decorations made of strictly natural materials, and then endless Christmas decorations.

In particular, two markets will be held in Trento, in Piazza Fiera and in Piazza Battisti, which will be connected to each other, with an ad hoc route that will wind through the main streets of the historic center. The market will be open until January 6, 2016 and will see the presence of 92 wooden houses full of local food and wine products and the best craftsmanship. New this year will also be the presence of a "Gluten free" house in Piazza Cesare Battisti.

In South Tyrol

Alto Adige also defends itself well in terms of markets and fairs dedicated to Christmas, and precisely on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of this tradition, the initiatives are enriched with events and news. For traditionalists, Bolzano is always the preferred destination: small houses in wood of the Christkindlmarkt, decorations in glass, wood and ceramics, popular music and many local products. Open from November 26 to January 6, the Bolzano market, which will be held in Piazza Walther, is the largest in Italy and by comparison European, represents one of the best destinations of the Christmas period.

Bressanone, from November 27 to January 6 in Piazza Duomo, is instead perfect for gourmets; in addition to the traditional path between food and wine flavors and local handicraft products, you can in fact witness the preparation of typical products: krapfen, tirtlan, sheets with salty or sweet filling, and strauben, sweet snail-shaped pancakes.

Brunico - (from November 27th to January 6th) - is the best destination if you are in the company of children; on the occasion of the parade of San Nicolò, which will be held on December 5, gifts will be distributed to the little ones in the Hotel Post courtyard.

Merano (from 27 November to 6 January), in addition to the Christmas market, always a very popular destination, also offers a brand new "chocolate factory" located in Piazza Rena.

Verona

Twinned with the city of Nuremberg, Verona offers, in addition to the traditional market, also the International Exhibition of the Crib in the "Art and Tradition", which will be held in the Arena, and which will see the presence of 400 specimens from all over the world, including from museums and private collections.

In Piazza dei Signori there will be the Nuremberg Market, where it will be possible to breathe a "Nordic atmosphere between Christmas decorations and typical food and wine products, including goulash, sauerkraut and strudel with cinnamon.

Florence

The twinning with the city of Heidelberg, allows Florence to compete with the best Christmas markets in Italy, and beyond. The result is 40 wooden houses in Santa Croce that mainly offer Christmas decorations and home furnishings.

Naples

In Naples, the tradition of Christmas markets is inextricably linked to that of the nativity scenes. San Gregorio Armeno is in fact the main street that welcomes visitors and lovers of the Christmas atmosphere, among typical stalls, small shops and shepherds' workshops.

And in Europe ... Vienna

Vienna is dotted with Christmas markets: in the Schönbrunn Palace area - in front of the Ehrenhof court - at the Rathausplatz, in front of the Town Hall, where the Christkindlmarkt is held, the Baby Jesus Market, with 140 stands, and then in front of the baroque palace of the Belvedere, in the squares of Marie Theresien Platz and in Freyung Platz.

Also noteworthy is the Spittelberg market, a sort of neighborhood inside the city, full of local shops and ateliers of young creatives.

Dresden and Berlin

Germany, together with "Austria, is also one of the most popular and visited destinations due to a rich tradition of Christmas markets. In Saxony in particular, the Striezelmarkt is held which takes place on the Altmarkt square in Dresden, where traditions that date back to to 1434. Here it will be possible to take a fascinating and evocative journey through food and wine flavors and local artisanal products.

Obviously, Berlin could not be missing: from the eco-sustainable one in the Mitte district to the one illuminated with kerosene lamps, to the Jewish one, all enriched by concerts, shows and guided tours. On the Piazza di Gendarmenmarkt, one of the most popular markets is held, which in addition to stands and houses with the best local handicrafts and food and wine products, also offers real shows: from jugglers, to street artists up to jazz and gospel orchestras .

Antwerp

In the heart of Flanders, Antwerp is another perfect destination for lovers of Christmas atmospheres. In the city center, from Steenplein to Grote Markt, you can find traditional wooden houses, full of traditional Belgian products. as well as shopping, they can indulge in ice skating thanks to the rink set up at Steenplein, overlooking the river Scheldt.

Stockholm

Magical atmospheres also in Stockholm, where, in the Stortorget square, you can find the traditional red wooden houses, where you can buy and eat local gastronomic specialties, including gingerbread and the typical meatballs.