Across the world, people are celebrating the festive season. Trees are decorated, cookies are baking, lights are glowing, wine is mulling and seasonal Christmas markets are open for business.
Private Jet Charter Christmas Market Tours
Across the world, people are celebrating the festive season. Trees are decorated, cookies are baking, lights are glowing, wine is mulling and seasonal Christmas markets are open for business.
Soak up some of the festive spirit this year by chartering a private jet to some of the best Christmas markets Europe and America have to offer. Some are less than an hour apart by private jet, so you can savour local delicacies and festive treats in a number of breathtaking cities over just one weekend. Here are some of the best Christmas markets to help inspire your next charter with us.
Prague, Czech Republic
A glorious tangle of winding streets and gothic churches, the capital of the Czech Republic has some of the most enchanting Christmas markets in the world.
The city’s largest festive markets are in the Old Town Square, home to a mediaeval astronomical clock, and the more commercial Wenceslas Square a 10-minute walk away. Czech specialities on offer include trdelník (flame-baked cinnamon cakes), klobasa (sausages) and medovina (honey liquor). The Christmas market with the finest view is up on Hradčanské Square next to Prague Castle, where a handful of rustic stalls overlook the breathtaking Little Quarter where composers Mozart and Beethoven once lived.
Budapest, Hungary
Just a short flight from Prague lies the picturesque city of Budapest, where traditional food, handmade ornaments and live bands are packed into the cottage-like stalls of Vörösmarty Square from mid-November onwards.
Set in the heart of the Hungarian capital’s Pest region, this charming market has around 150 stalls and holds puppet and dance shows in the run-up to Christmas. All this and not a plastic nesting doll in sight; products sold here are guaranteed to be traditionally handmade by a craft jury that oversees the market. If you’re feeling chilly after hours spent browsing in the cold night air, warm up in one of Budapest’s famous spas or treat yourself to apple strudel and coffee in an art-nouveau cafe like Muvesz Kavehaz or Szamos Gourmet Haz.
Cologne, Germany
One of Europe’s most famous Christmas markets, Cologne is renowned for its magical festive lights and beautifully decorated stalls. The market traditions in Cologne’s old town date back to 1820, when the city’s Nikolaimarkt opened up for the first time. The markets were banned by the city council 65 years later for being too large and too loud, before being reintroduced in 1970.
Nowadays, every year from late November to the 23rd December, locals and visitors can wander through seven Christmas markets throughout the city. Each one has its own theme, which carries into everything from the decorations to the food, making all seven well worth the visit.
Situated less than 20 minutes away from the city, land by private jet at Cologne Bonn Airport to begin your Christmas market shopping in style.
Dresden, Germany
Full of glittering lights, mulled wine, craft stalls and the faint smell of gingerbread, another popular German Christmas market is Dresden’s Striezelmarkt. Open right up until Christma Eve, shoppers have been enjoying the shopping festivities since 1434, when it was a small one-day market the day before Christmas Eve. Now, around 2.5 million people come from all around the world to enjoy seven markets spread across the city.
Perhaps the reason for Dresden’s popularity lies in the fact that all seven of its markets are equally spectacular, but the stand-outs are typically the historic Striezelmarkt, the amazing Medieval Christmas Market and the stunning market stalls around the iconic Frauenkirche.
Dresden airport can accommodate all sorts of private jets and is located just 9 km away from the city centre. Call one of our team today to book your private jet to Dresden.
Berlin, Germany
From historical and quaint to eclectic and fun-filled, Germany’s capital has an array of Christmas markets to suit any preference. Located on one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin, the one on Gendarmenmarkt offers quality decorations, food and entertainment. For something more upbeat, the Alexanderplatz mixes the traditional with funfair and party.
If you’re looking for good food and beer, the Lucia Christmas market named after the Nordic goddess of light focuses on goods from Scandinavia. There’s also the markets underneath the famous ferris wheel at Berlin’s City Hall, featuring Old Berlin-style market alleys and even a circular ice rink.
There are so many more markets not mentioned here, so book your private jet charter to Berlin to explore them all this Christmas.
Vienna, Austria
Most Christmas markets involve glittering lights, steaming mugs of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and artisanal crafts. Add that to the scent of baked potatoes, fresh bread, strudel and candied nuts and you have the Christmas markets in Vienna.
Similarly to the German festivities, there are numerous markets across the city, but the main ones are Christkindlmarkt, Belvedere, Schönbrunn, Stephansplatz and the Altwiener Christkindlmarkt on the Freyung. The latter is notable for its adjoining organic farmer’s market with its wonderful specialties from the more rural parts of Austria, including cheese!
Fly by private jet into the VIP terminal at Vienna International Airport (also known as Schwechat Airport) to begin your Christmas market tour in Vienna.
Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava is often overlooked not just for its Christmas markets, but as a travel destination in general. But those who haven’t been to Slovakia’s capital are missing out – especially during the festive season, when the city is packed with cultural events and gastronomy.
The best Christmas markets are located at the Main Square and Hviezdoslav Square in the city centre. However, there are a few more dotted around the capital, including at Bratislava Castle or the square in front of the Eurovea shopping centre. Whatever market you choose, prepare to be impressed by the atmosphere and historical surroundings.
Brussels, Belgium
The cobbled streets of Belgium’s capital spring to life at Christmas, with a 2 km-long stretch of snow-covered market chalets, eclectic bars and pop-up restaurants. The Winter Wonders event has been going for over 20 years and over two million people flock to enjoy the magic.
There’s something here for everyone, with over 200 markets spread out between Grand Place, Rue de la Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons. To take a break from shopping, visitors will also find two ice rinks, a large ferris wheel and merry-go-rounds for the whole family to enjoy.
Strasbourg, France
A number of French cities host Christmas markets over the festive period, but one of the classics is held in Strasbourg. Dating back to 1570, Christkindelsmärik – also known as Marché de l’Enfant Jésus – is one of the oldest in Europe.
Today, 300 chalets and stalls sprawl over a dozen markets, giving some veracity to Strasbourg’s claim to be the “Capital of Christmas”. The markets are so large they take over the city, with the scent of mulled wine filling whole districts, however focal points include Place Kléber (where you can admire a 30-foot Christmas tree), Place Broglie, Place du Marché-aux-cochons-de-lait and the area around the cathedral.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Held in the world’s second oldest amusement park, Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen’s traditional market is a spectacle of illuminated Christmas trees, roasted almonds and quaint market stalls set around a fantastical ice-skating rink.
Visitors can buy handmade arts and crafts before tucking into miniature pancakes, mulled wine and roast pork sandwiches. To round the trip off, take a ride on The Star Flyer – an 80m tall swing ride that provides sweeping views of the city below.
Chicago, Illinois
Not all the best Christmas markets are in Europe. Inspired by the Christkindlmarket held in Nuremberg, Chicago pulls out all the stops every year to replicate a traditional German Christmas market. Situated in downtown’s Daley Plaza, there are hundreds of wonderful wooden stalls to wander past.
Staying true to the Bavarian theme, German merchandise like nutcrackers and cuckoo clocks can be found throughout, along with warming winter staples like bratwursts, sauerkraut and schnitzels.
Toronto, Canada
Set in the Distillery Historic District, Toronto’s Christmas Market is big, bold and beautiful. Recently rebranded as the Distillery Winter Village, 75 retailers and restaurants descend on this sophisticated city in Canada’s affluent east every yuletide.
Drawing in thousands of visitors every year from across the continent, this modern-style market still holds traditional festivities like carol singers, warming cuisine and a 50-foot tall Christmas tree – a true winter wonderland.
Feeling festive? Wrap up warm and gear up for the perfect private jet Christmas market tour. Our Travel and Concierge team will take care of all the finer details, right down to the last bauble. Contact the team now on 020 8335 1070 or email travel@aircharter.co.uk. Alternatively, talk to one of our charter experts, who can help arrange a private jet charter to your favourite Christmas market destination.
We’d also be happy to speak to you about your other options for flexible, cost-effective private jet charter, such as our Jet Card that offers benefits unsurpassed by any other product on the private aviation market.