<strong>Hallstatt, Austria: </strong>Surrounded by Alpine peaks, the town of Hallstatt provides a fairytale setting of 16th-century townhouses and tiny lanes, making it the ultimate destination for those keen to get into the festive mood.
Hallstatt, Austria: Surrounded by Alpine peaks, the town of Hallstatt provides a fairytale setting of 16th-century townhouses and tiny lanes, making it the ultimate destination for those keen to get into the festive mood.
Alpineguide/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Tromsø, Norway:</strong> Located high above the Arctic Circle, this city is a must-see over the festive season when the streets are decked out with lights and Christmas market stalls are lining the streets.
Tromsø, Norway: Located high above the Arctic Circle, this city is a must-see over the festive season when the streets are decked out with lights and Christmas market stalls are lining the streets.
Diana Robinson Photography/Moment RF/Getty Images
<strong>Colmar, France: </strong>With six themed markets linked by illuminated streets, this picturesque French city in the eastern Alsace region of France captures the magic of this time of year in a truly remarkable way.
Colmar, France: With six themed markets linked by illuminated streets, this picturesque French city in the eastern Alsace region of France captures the magic of this time of year in a truly remarkable way.
serts/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images
<strong>Rudesheim, Germany:</strong> Based in the heart of the Rhine Valley's wine-making country, this German town is filled with medieval buildings and alleyways that ensure that everything holds a festive feel.
Rudesheim, Germany: Based in the heart of the Rhine Valley's wine-making country, this German town is filled with medieval buildings and alleyways that ensure that everything holds a festive feel.
Elizabeth Beard/Moment Unreleased RF/Getty Images
<strong>Bruges, Belgium: </strong>The city's UNESCO-protected medieval center consists of many buildings that look like gingerbread houses once the festive lights are up.
Bruges, Belgium: The city's UNESCO-protected medieval center consists of many buildings that look like gingerbread houses once the festive lights are up.
Garden Photo World/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Vienna, Austria: </strong>With its iconic Christmas market and architecture that seems tailor-made for the holidays, the Austrian capital oozes festive charm.
Vienna, Austria: With its iconic Christmas market and architecture that seems tailor-made for the holidays, the Austrian capital oozes festive charm.
Lisi Niesner/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
<strong>Gothenburg, Sweden:</strong> The Swedish city becomes a winter wonderland as the year draws to a close, with the Liseberg Christmas Market, set in a historic amusement park, among its stand-out festive attractions.
Gothenburg, Sweden: The Swedish city becomes a winter wonderland as the year draws to a close, with the Liseberg Christmas Market, set in a historic amusement park, among its stand-out festive attractions.
klug-photo/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
<strong>Valkenburg, Netherlands: </strong>This Dutch village is known for its internationally renowned Christmas Caves, which includes the Municipality Cave, home to one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe, and the Velvet Cave.
Valkenburg, Netherlands: This Dutch village is known for its internationally renowned Christmas Caves, which includes the Municipality Cave, home to one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe, and the Velvet Cave.
Jasper Kroese/Eleven Media/Visit Zuid-Limburg
<strong>Rovaniemi, Finland: </strong>Located in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi offers spectacular displays of the Northern Lights, as well as wonderful Santa Claus village, pictured, which is at its most magical during winter.
Rovaniemi, Finland: Located in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi offers spectacular displays of the Northern Lights, as well as wonderful Santa Claus village, pictured, which is at its most magical during winter.
Petr Svancara/AP
<strong>Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany: </strong>This quintessentially German town is home to the annual Reiterlesmarkt, a Christmas market named after a mythical figure who is said to have visited the town in winter for thousands of years.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany: This quintessentially German town is home to the annual Reiterlesmarkt, a Christmas market named after a mythical figure who is said to have visited the town in winter for thousands of years.
Joerg Koch/DDP/AFP/Getty Images