<strong>Where?</strong> Winchester, Hampshire <strong>When?</strong> 22 November to 23 December <strong>The lowdown?</strong> Located next to the cathedral, this German-inspired market is renowned for its beautiful wooden chalets serving up mulled wine, bratwurst, mince pies and stollen. Don't miss the open air ice rink! <strong>Getting there?</strong> <a href="http://www.hfholidays.co.uk/">HF Holidays</a> is offering weekend breaks incorporating trips to the Christmas markets in Hampshire, or travel by train to Winchester station for an afternoon visit. Find out more about the <a href="http://winchester-cathedral.org.uk/christmas/christmas-market/">Christmas market</a>.

<strong>Where?</strong> Liseberg park, Gothenburg, Sweden <strong>When?</strong> 16 November to 23 December <strong>The lowdown?</strong> Gothenburg houses its 3km 'Lane of Light' every Christmas. It starts at the harbour, by the new Wheel of Gothenburg, and takes visitors through a literal Winter wonderland. The lane leads to Liseberg Amusement Park where guests are greeted by a million fairy lights adorning the trees and stalls in Scandinavia’s biggest Christmas market. <strong>Getting there?</strong> <a href="http://www.best-served.co.uk/">Best Served Scandinavia</a> offer two nights at the Rica 25 B&B, with return flights from London and a 48 hour Gothenburg City Card, for £209 per person. Find out more about the market at <a href="http://www.goteborg.com/en/?epslanguage=en">Gothenburg.com</a>

<strong>Where?</strong> Nuremberg, Dusseldorf, Germany <strong>When?</strong> 30 November to 24 December <strong>The lowdown?</strong> If you can get there on the Friday before the first Advent Sunday, you'll catch the famous Christmas Angel recital, but no matter when you visit, the 200 stalls in Hauptmarkt Square will not disappoint. Bring back the slightly bizarre-sounding 'Nuremberg Plum People' (yes, they are made out of prunes) and don't forget to sample the spicy gingerbread. <strong>Getting there?</strong> There are direct flights to Dusseldorf with <a href="http://www.airberlin.com/prepage.php">Air Berlin</a> from £49 one way. Find out more about the market at <a href="http://www.germany-christmas-market.org.uk/nuremberg_christmas_market.php">germany-christmas-market.org</a>

<strong>Where?</strong> Edinburgh <strong>When?</strong> 22 November to 2 January <strong>The lowdown?</strong> If you're looking for a Winter wonderland that's not too far from home, the Scottish capital is the place to go. From the end of November the city is transformed, with an outdoor ice rink at Edinburgh castle, bustling German markets and for the young at heart, a fairground. That's not forgetting all the shopping, restaurants and hotels that the city has to offer all year round. <strong>How to get there?</strong> Train or plane is the best way to get into the city. You won't need a car once you're there. Find out more at <a href="http://www.edinburghschristmas.com/">edinburghschristmas.com</a>

<strong>Where?</strong> Tivoli Christmas Market, Copenhagen, Denmark <strong>When?</strong> 16 November to 30 December <strong>The lowdown?</strong> Brimming with twinkling Christmas trees, Tivoli has made its name as one of Europe's most attractive markets. Set in one of the world's oldest amusement parks, this is the place to soak up some of that Danish 'hygge' along with traditional Danish Christmas treats, shops and sleigh-rides. <strong>Getting there?</strong> <a href="http://www.norwegian.com/uk/flight/lowfare/?D_City=LGW&A_City=CPH&CurrencyCode=GBP&SkipdaysLeft=5&gclid=COOr-Y6a9LICFUui4AodNVEA1g">Norweigan airline</a> has daily flights to Copenhagen from London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh. Find out more at <a href="http://www.visitcopenhagen.com/Events/Christmas-in-Tivoli-2012/382">visitcopenhagen.com</a>

<strong>Where?</strong> Avignon, France <strong>When?</strong> 24 November to 1 January <strong>The lowdown?</strong> The Festivities de Noel in this ancient town are not to be missed, with 60 chalets serving up everything from jewellery and Provencal fabrics to wine and nougat. Christmas lights decorate monuments and trees, making a ride on the city's Vélopop bikes all the more festive. <strong>Getting there?</strong> Flybe have flights from all over the UK. Avignon airport is 8km away from the city centre. Find out more at <a href="http://www.avignon-tourisme.com/home-1-2.html">avignontourisme.com</a>

<strong>Where?</strong> Lille's Place Rihour, France <strong>When?</strong> 21 November to 30 December <strong>The lowdown?</strong> Visitors won't get bored easily here. There are 80 stalls and 3,900 shops open especially for the Christmas period, plus there's the stunning, 18-metre high Christmas tree, carol singers and Ferris wheel at the centre of the festivities in the Grand Place. A wonder through the market wouldn't be complete without some mulled wine and gingerbread. Bookworms, look out for the Furet du Nord - the biggest bookshop in Europe. <strong>Getting there?</strong> It's just a 1hour 20 minute trip via <a href="http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/_SvBoExpressBookingTerm?_TMS=1349794310992&_DLG=SvBoExpressBookingTerm&_AGENCY=ESTAR&lang=UK&country=UK&VT=EB&cid=ppc-UK&gclid=CIGurtKX9LICFbQ7OgoddGQA-Q&_LANG=UK">Eurostar</a>. Find out more at <a href="http://www.lilletourism.com/info-3-95-0-gb.html">lilletourism.com</a>