It's time to heat up the mulled wine and enjoy the gingerbread cookies - Christmas market season is here.
But increasingly, the romantic image of festive fairs, between the ruthless crowds and the cheap stalls, rarely matches reality. So it's best to look beyond the oversubscribed classics and look for a lesser-known option worth basing a winter break on.
These spots champion local artisans and sell attractive stocking fillers such as small batch spirits, handmade woolen hats and delicate glass ornaments. Instead of stale and sickly sweet treats, you'll find hot dishes prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, hearty local specialties and plenty of preserves and authentic panettones to pack in your suitcase.
From Padstow to Poland, here are eight Christmas markets worth your time (and money) this winter.
Padstow, Cornwall, England
Cornwall and Christmas aren't the most obvious bedfellows, but Padstow certainly gets into the Christmas spirit with an extensive festival. Short and sweet: the city event takes place over four days in early December and, as expected from a place ruled by Rick Stein, has a foodie focus. This year there will be chef demonstrations from the likes of José Pizarro and Nigel Haworth, who will share festive cooking tips and tricks.
From the stalls you can expect local blue cheese and smoked fish, plus stocking fillers such as mulled wine jam and gin, flavored with coastal botanicals. Snack on tartiflette topped with Cornish brie or shellfish soup before stocking up on handmade woolen blankets, tableware made from local slate and seashell jewelry.
Details: December 7-10; padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk.
Where to stay: The Padstow Harbor hotel is a light, bright and bold Victorian boutique hotel that combines a bit of luxury with a touch of coastal charm and offers views over the Camel Estuary. Rooms from £170.
Helsinki, Finland
For a touch of edgy Scandinavian style, head to Tuomaan Markkinat in Helsinki, which keeps a close eye on its traders to ensure high-quality handmade products, rather than mass-market junk. There is a particular focus on vintage and recycled goods at the Finnish capital's oldest Christmas market and the environmentally conscious effort extends to the central carousel, which runs on renewable energy; even the mulled wine served is flavored with leftover apples from local orchards.
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Top buys from the 90 artisans include traditional wooden gnome table decorations, delicate glass tree ornaments (don't forget to pack some bubble wrap) and merino wool socks.
Details: December 1-22; tuomaanmarkkinat.fi.
Where to stay: The Kämp offers classic luxury from the end of the 19th century in a historic and central environment. Known for visiting celebrities such as the Stones and Springsteen, this hotel is Finland's best five-star hotel. Rooms from £237.
Gdansk, Poland
Krakow's mega Christmas market might get all the attention, but opt instead for the northern Polish port city of Gdansk for a new twist on a classic festive break - not to mention far fewer tourists. The youthful city, which attracts emerging artists and designers looking for coastal breezes and cheap rents, is home to chalet stalls selling modern ceramics and upcycled clothing alongside traditional wooden trinkets.
Enjoy mulled wine with plenty of pierogis (Polish dumplings) before taking a stroll along the river, which is flanked by buildings decorated with twinkling lights. Gdansk also gets bonus points for being one of the most affordable cities in Europe - perfect for cheap Christmas shopping.
Details: November 24 - December 23.
Where to stay: The millennial-focused PURO Hotel Gdańsk Stare Miasto is a winner for the ages, with its edgy design (think bold local art on the walls and subway-tiled bathrooms) and chic rooftop bar with marina views. Rooms from £78.
Seville, Spain
Spain may not be the first destination that comes to mind when it comes to Christmas markets, but from Barcelona to Bilbao, vast festive markets take over the cities in late November. Opt for a trip to Seville and you'll be rewarded with relatively warm temperatures (a light sweater is generally sufficient) and the Creative Crafts Fair, where around 30 traders sell wooden Christmas figures.
The markets of the fellow Andalusian city of Granada are a good choice for foodies, with freshly baked churros and traditional almond cookies for snacking alongside the locally made leather goods and candles.
Details: November 25 - December 23.
Where to stay: Casa Poeta is a 17th century mansion hidden in a small alley, with live guitar performances in the evenings and a large roof terrace with views of the cathedral. Rooms from £161.
Trent, Italy
Nowhere in Italy embraces Christmas more than in the northern city of Trento, where the entire medieval center becomes a snow globe scene in late November. Surrounded by the white-peaked Dolomites, the market's alpine-style stalls certainly feel more appropriate than in, say, Hyde Park, and it more than deserves its nickname Città del Natale (Christmas Town).
Head to Via Garibaldi (behind the Duomo) for handmade gifts, with proceeds going to charity, or to Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, designed especially for children, with workshops and a Christmas grotto. As for food, try the tortel di patate (a fried potato pancake topped with cheese or meat) or a thick slice of apple strudel - a reminder of the region's Austrian heritage. This year there is a particular focus on the environment, with renewable energy lighting the stalls and food vendors, even using plates made from bread.
Dates: November 18 - January 7; mercatinodinatale.tn.it.
Where to stay: Located a 15-minute walk from the city center, NH Trento rewards guests with a quiet location on the Adige River and views of the Alps. Rooms from £97.
Zagreb, Croatia
The capital of Croatia comes into its own in the run-up to Christmas with a large Advent festival spread across 20 locations in the city center. Top picks include Park Zrinjevac, where you can find local delicacies such as krpice sa zeljem (pasta with cabbage) and paprenjaci (peppery gingerbread cookies), and the Oktogan Passage for its unusual light installations.
Families should head to Ilica 49, where children can make rag dolls and small wooden toys in a special workshop, or simply enjoy the huge toy displays. An attempt has been made to highlight 'Made in Zagreb' products, so it is easy to find high-quality handmade decorations. Other attractions include the music concerts that take place during the holidays, plus a host of theater productions and exhibitions.
Dates: December 2 - January 7.
Where to stay: Book a room at the art-deco Esplanade Hotel, which was originally built in 1925 as a suitably glamorous stopover for passengers on the Orient Express and remains the city's best place to stay. Rooms from £131.
Montreux, Switzerland
On the shores of Lake Geneva and at the foot of the snow-capped Alps, the seaside resort of Montreux provides a fairytale backdrop for one of Switzerland's largest Christmas markets. The stalls focus on homemade products and quality items, while the food offering includes filled pancakes and of course mulled wine. There are also some magical experiences for children in the covered part of the market, where they can bake cookies and color candles.
You can also take the cog train to Rochers-de-Naye mountain to meet Santa Claus in his snowy grotto. Every evening you can also see him riding his sleigh to the lake and bellowing Merry Christmas or Joyeux Noël.
Dates: November 23 - December 24; montreuxnoel.com.
Where to stay: Push the boat off with a stay at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, a Belle Époque hotel with a prime location overlooking Lake Geneva. Rooms from €350.
Tallinn, Estonia
The star of Tallinn's Christmas Market is a twinkling tree, which has been placed on the medieval Town Hall Square every year since 1441 - locals proudly claim this was the first exhibition in Europe. With only about thirty stalls, the surrounding market is fairly compact, but more interesting than most - enjoy Estonian specialties such as black pudding and sour cabbage, while perusing the selection of hand-knitted socks.
Elsewhere in the Baltic capital, expect an attractive mix of fairytale towers, mighty city walls and grand old palaces - although the hip Kalamaja district, with its art galleries and food stalls, keeps things up to date. The high chance of snow and affordable prices make Tallinn an even more tempting proposition.
Dates: December 1 - January 7; christmasmarket.ee
Where to stay: The Schlössle offers five-star luxury in a beautifully restored 13th-century merchant's house in one of the quieter areas of Tallinn's Old Town. Rooms from £147.
