Christmas Markets are now more popular than ever before and there’s certainly plenty of choice this coming festive season...

THERE'S never been a better choice of Christmas Markets for 2011 whether you are looking to stay in UK or visit Europe for that festive getaway.

There’s Christmas Markets in most northern European cities - and of course if you go to Scandinavia or central Europe - a fall of snow could add to the atmosphere.

AUSTRIA

Austria is one of the countries where Christmas Markets can be found in every major city and town. The capital Vienna hosts around 25 markets alone and the 'December Market' in Vienna dating back to 1294 is regarded by some as the forerunner to today’s Christmas Market.

Vienna is of course a popular city break destination in its own right and many people choose to visit the city around late November and December to combine a visit to museums and other attractions with the Christmas culture. They do their gift shopping at various Christmas Markets at venues such as Schloss Schönbrunn which is a famous visitor attraction in its own right.

Don't restrict yourself to Vienna though. Graz has a fantastic market as does Innsbruck which hosts two main markets.

Salzburg - Salzburg Christmas Markets are as wonderful as the city. The city's historic centre, at the heart of these markets, provides the perfect romantic setting and a real festive experience. Open from Nov 17 to Dec 26.

Graz - Enjoy the pre-Christmas period in Graz – discovering the highlights of Graz Advent: the romantic lights, the gleaming ice crib in the Landhaus Courtyard, the giant Rathaus Advent calendar, the spectacular Advent markets in the old town of Graz, the Advent train and a lot of other attractions. Open from Nov 18 to Dec 24. Vienna - Christmas Markets in Vienna exude a fantastic atmosphere. A Vienna Christmas Market is an unforgettable experience. The largest Xmas Market in Vienna is the Magic of Advent which takes place in front of the City Hall. Open from Nov 19 to Dec 26.

Innsbruck - The Innsbruck Christmas Market in the Old Town on Landhausplatz is full of Advent tradition and atmosphere, as is the other market located on Maria-Theresien Street. Open from Nov 15 to Jan 6, 2012.

GERMANY

The towns and cities along the Rhine and Moselle valleys provide an idyllic setting for a romantic Christmas Market break.   Half-timbered buildings are festively lit and the aromas of mulled wine out of the local vineyards and cinnamon permeate the air at traditional Christmas markets. Guests can snuggle up at cosy hotels and the Christmas shopping is friendly and relaxed.

The region’s beautiful cities captivate visitors with their rich history, labyrinthine old quarters, mediaeval market squares and striking cathedrals. Buildings steeped in history are illuminated by thousands upon thousands of fairy lights, while the aroma of gingerbread wafts through the air. The Christmas markets in Trier, Koblenz and Mainz are particularly famous and are quite large. If you want to visit the smaller Christmas markets, those in Bernkastel-Kues, Cochem, Rüdesheim, Worms, Speyer and Ahrweiler are highly recommended.

Although a relatively small market, Worms located on the Rhine, boasts a 'Living Nativity scene', whilst Speyer, also located on the Rhine, offers the additional attraction of an ice rink. Trier, which is Germany's oldest city tracing its origins back to Roman times, hosts a charming Christmas Market in the Hauptmarkt Square with the cathedral providing an impressive backdrop.

Cologne Christmas Markets - Experience the advent season in Cologne with its festive illumination and visit one of the seven Christmas markets with their unique atmosphere. Open from Nov 21 to Dec 23.

Dusseldorf - The Christmas market is presented with individual themes. Festively decorated huts and an ice-skating rink transform the city into a winter’s tale. Open from Nov 17 to Dec 23.

Nuremberg - The world famous Nuremberg Christmas Market attracts visitors from around the globe. The Christmas Market in Nuremberg dates back over 400 years. Visitors will find the charm of the Nuremberg Xmas Market compelling and irresistible. Open from Nov 25 to Dec 24.

Berlin - There are around 50 Christmas Markets in Berlin. The really popular Berlin Christmas Market is centrally situated. A real effort is made to maintain the quality of products sold at the Xmas Markets in Berlin. Low cost flight options available through Air Berlin. Open from Nov 21 to Dec 24.

UK

Christmas Markets in the UK were very popular until Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration of Christmas in the fashion people had become used to and this affected the Christmas Markets which died out instantly. There were of course many markets in Britain during the Victorian era which would sell Christmas related products and foodstuffs in the run-up to Christmas but they were not known as Christmas Markets. Lincoln in the East of England was the first UK Christmas Market to be revived and from small beginnings is now in its 26th year.

UK Christmas Markets often have continental themes bringing over French, German or Italian traders. There are traditional German markets in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Leeds, London, Glasgow and Oxford.

Christmas Markets in the UK can be found in all sorts of venues ranging from town centres to stately homes. Some happen just over a weekend and others last for six weeks or more.

Of course Belfast has now its own Christmas Continental Market in front of the City Hall. This year it runs from from Nov 19 to Dec 19.

Some other UK festive offerings are:

A Victorian Festival of Christmas, Portsmouth - Step back in time at A Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, 25th-27th Nov. Enjoy traditional Victorian entertainment and characters, snowy white streets and Christmas craft. Open from Nov 25 to Nov 27.

Festival of Christmas at Norwich Cathedral - Festive shopping at Festive shopping avenues around the Cloisters with a wide selection of amazing gifts for the whole family, Food and Drink Stands, Cookery and Christmas Craft making demonstrations. Open from Dec 9 to Dec 11.

Christmas Fair at Ripley Castle - Enjoy the atmosphere of a family home combined with the ancient splendour of a historic castle. Open from Dec 9 to Dec 11.

Bath - Bath Abbey provides a stunning backdrop for this popular market in the heart of the city's shopping area. Over 120 retailers in traditional chalets sell gifts, jewellery, crafts and festive food. Open from Nov 24 to Dec 11.

Southbank Centre/London Eye - This Christmas Market is located on the Southbank adjacent to the London Eye. For the 4th time it will attract numerous stallholders all selling unusual and high quality gifts. Open from Nov 18 to Dec 24.

La Fête dé Noué (Jersey) - La Fête dé Noué is bursting at the seams with festive treats: experience bespoke Christmas markets, classic festive films, twinkling parades and exciting entertainment. Open from Dec 1 to Dec 11.

Oxford - Come along and enjoy the festive atmosphere at this beautiful German-style Christmas Market. Indulge in gingerbread and mulled wine, sing along to Christmas carols while finding that special present. Open from Dec 2 to Dec 18.

BELGIUM

Christmas Markets in Belgium are very popular. and exude a fantastic atmosphere and offer great shopping opportunities. There are a few notable Belgian Christmas Markets particularly Brussels’ Winter Wonderland and the Bruges Christmas Market - also there’s a relatively new market in Ypres in Flanders now in its third year. Brussels - Brussels Christmas Market, the Winter Wonders takes place in the heart of Brussels. Hailed as ‘Europe’s most original Christmas market’ by British tour operators. Prepare to be impressed! Open from Nov 25 to Jan 1.

Antwerp (Groenplaats) - Antwerp, one of the world's leading diamond cities, is host to a sparkling Christmas Market, set amid historic buildings. Open from Dec 10 to Jan 8, 2012.

Ypres - Ypres Christmas Market is fast becoming one of the popular markets in Belgium. The Swiss style chalets and ice rink ensure a typical Christmas atmosphere returns to Grote Markt. Open From Nov 26 to Jan 1, 2012.

Liege - The “Village de Noël de Liège” (Chrismas Village) has become one of Belgiums' most famous Chrismas Markets in Belgium, with wooden chalets offering gastronomic specialities, handicrafts and souvenirs. Open from Nov 25 to Dec 30.

Bruges - Medieval Bruges, with its beautiful setting, is host to one of the most famous Christmas Markets in Belgium, offering the best of winter products, Christmas gifts and warm gluhwein and snacks. Open from Nov 25 to Jan 3, 2012.

SWITZERLAND

Basel, Bern and Zurich are the principal Christmas Markets in Switzerland. Swiss Xmas Markets are full of character and atmosphere and the stalls sell excellent quality goods.

There’s also a good chance of having a ‘white Christmas Market experience’ when you visit a Christmas Market in Switzerland.

Basel - Basel Christmas Market is probably the largest, most popular and most traditional one in Switzerland. The Christmas Market in Basel takes place in the atmospheric Old Town and is well worth a visit. Open from Nov 24 to Dec 23.

Zürich - Advent season in Zürich: The entire city is bathed in cheery light, the air is filled with the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine, and the sounds of Advent concerts waft over the River Limmat. Open from Nov 17 to Dec 31.

Bern - A visit to Bern at Advent is well worth while. The well-known Bernese Christmas Market held on Waisenhausplatz and Münsterplatz evolved from Bern’s general market and is a long-established tradition. Open from Dec 2 to Dec 29.

SCANDINAVIA/CENTRAL EUROPE

Some of the most atmospheric Christmas Markets are in Scandinavia, and those in the capital Stockholm are among the best. You can choose from a number in the city centre, the best of which is in the old town, Gamla Stan. But a five-minute ferry trip across to harbour brings you to the Markets at Sweden’s Skansen folk park. And if you’re lucky enough to be there for the Lucia Festival you’re in for a special treat.

There are also Markets on some of the islands in the Stockholm archipelago while Sweden’s second city, Gothenburg has Christmas Markets in the Liseberg, Scandinavia’s biggest amusement park.

Not to be outdone, for the last 10 years Copenhagen has been running Christmas Markets in its world-famous Tivoli Gardens park right in the city centre.

In Central Europe, one of my favourite cities for Christmas Markets is dreamy, medieval Tallinn, in Estonia, when there’s a pretty good chance you might be walking in a winter wonderland of snow when you’re there. Another great city for Christmas Markets is Budapest where they open in mid-November. Malev Hungarian Airlines operates a daily service from Dublin with very competitive fares.

*For more information on Christmas Markets around the world visit www.christmasmarkets.com.