Still on my list of Christmas markets to explore are those in the French region of Alsace, about 5 hours away from Brussels. Some of the big ones are in Colmar and Strasbourg. But the smaller ones in Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauville are also listed as worthy of a trip. Click on this link for a map of the recommended ones.
Some other links:
Article in the Times Online, “For Christmas markets with French flair, try Alsace”.
For a trip to a German Christmas market you have a choice between Aachen or Monschau in the Eifel hills. With half timbered houses, cobblestone streets, brass bands I personally think Monschau, although smaller, is the place to go.
Now if you are already tired of the usual Christmas market, try this Dutch market in Valkenburg near Maastricht for a change. It is an underground Christmas market in a cave system that the Romans mined out. The caves are beautifully lit, this year’s theme is Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Arrive early this market obviously gets busy. Two section of the quarries now have a market, the Gemeentegrot and the Fluweelengrot.
