Christmas Markets for family

[rich12]

Hi,

Looking to go somewhere with my misses and kids (6 and 2) for 2 days so Saturday morning til Sunday evening.
Have had a brief look at Belgium, Hungary etc but for some reason everywhere I look at booking, requires us to book two rooms as most have a 3 person limit which is bizarre.

We were just going to go somewhere in the UK but would love to go somewhere really special if it doesn't work out too expensive.

Any recommendations?

[rich12]

pidsy said:

We did Bruge last Christmas.

Stayed at the hotel Prinsenhof which is 5 mins walk from the main square - they have family rooms and parking. Great little hotel.

Thing we noted: we went 21st-23rd Dec and the whole place was lovely and quiet. Very few tourists.

Friends of ours went the week before and said it was too crowded to do anything.

Presumably, most people stay clear the week of Christmas cos they’re busy sorting their home/family stuff out.

We had a great time, wouldn’t have been as much fun the week before.

That's very weird. Wonder if it's also because the price seems to go up a lot the weekend before Christmas?

[rich12]

I cant believe my biggest hurdle is finding hotels that let you book one room for a family of 4. All these sites like booking dot com only let me book with 2 rooms.

More I look into it, the more I'm thinking just stay in the UK as the costs make it seem like it'll be circa £700 just for one night everywhere else.

[rich12]

Glosphil said:

I did suggest Lincoln!

I don't like steep hills

[rich12]

Seems i'm a bit too late to the party for this year to go abroad.
Flights from Luton to Vienna are circa £700 and then it would be a 2 night stay at a hotel plus spending etc which is way too much.
UK it is!

[rich12]

bakerstreet said:

Does the 6 year old and 2 year old want to go to the Christmas markets. What will they enjoy about that trip?

Mine are of a similar age and you could spend your entire time chasing an unwilling 2 year old round a market...6 year old could be slightly easier.

I'm only doing this for them. The 6 year old is excited for Christmas already and my 2 year old is an absolute angel when it comes to being out and about.

I suppose its not so much the 'market' aspect but more the atmosphere and places to go.
I refuse to go to winter wonderland in London because its just a proper piss take.
Had a look last night and they have a Mr men show on. 2 adults and 2 kids £164!!!! Just for that random show!

[rich12]

I hate this. So many choices but can't decide.

[rich12]

rich12 said:

I refuse to go to winter wonderland in London because its just a proper piss take.
Had a look last night and they have a Mr men show on. 2 adults and 2 kids £164!!!! Just for that random show!

Turns out I don't refuse as much as I thought I did.

Going to London on the 14th December and have booked the christmas wheel thing and will just mooch around for the day.
Easy cheap in comparison and if we like it, we'll book somewhere in Europe earlier next year.

[rich12]

z4RRSchris said:

doesnt matter where you go its the same 5 stalls in a pre fab shed, food varies.

I like doing it becuase you go somewhere fking cold in europe, often snows and it feels a bit christmassy.

done berlin, prague, vienna, stuttgart ...

That was what I wanted more than the market itself, go somewhere that feels like Christmas and preferably old school Christmas rather than every single kid just buying light up st and swinging it around.