From Strasbourg to Cologne, take the green route to Europe’s best Christmas markets.
The clocks have changed, the nights are drawing in and the leaves are turning gold.
For lovers of the holiday season, that means the countdown to Christmas is on.
Most of Europe’s Christmas markets will twinkle to life by the end of November, unleashing indulgent bites, handmade gifts and festive cheer on cities from Bruges to Cologne.
While it’s a magical time of year, it’s not a particularly sustainable one with brands driving over consumption and the resulting waste. But that’s something you can counteract by taking a greener mode of transport this winter.
With that in mind, overland travel company Byway has put together these festive, flight-free mini-breaks that allow you to visit some of Europe’s best Christmas markets by train.
You can easily take inspiration from these itineraries and organise a train trip independently. Websites like Omio and Rail Europe are good for finding the cheapest and fastest train routes.
Take the train to Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik: France’s oldest Christmas market
Hop on the train to the ‘Capital of Christmas’ where you’ll find 300 festive stalls strung together by sparkling lights.
Starting in London, this four-day trip to Strasbourg via Paris brings you to the heart of Alsace in around six hours. Here, French and German culture collide, blending ‘fachwerk’ timber-framed houses and rolling Champagne vineyards.
At the bustling Christkindelsmärik - the oldest Christmas market in France - you can munch on sizzling chestnuts washed down with steaming vin chaud as you shop for artisan gifts to place under the tree.
Strasbourg Christkindelsmärik is open from 27 November to 27 December, with Byway running trips from £657 (€790) per person, including trains and hotels.
