It’s the season to be jolly! Nothing beats the romanticism of a white Christmas in Europe; snowflakes falling, glühwein pouring, and carols by candlelight. And if there’s one way to up your merry-merry game, it’s exploring Europe’s Christmas markets and surrendering completely to the yuletide cheer.

When you plan your first trip to Europe, it’s tempting to try to do everything; to fit every single highlight into a whirlwind tour. The reality is, you can’t do it all. Unless you’ve got years up your sleeve, you’re going to have to edit your wishlist.  

Every summer, Europe greets a stampede of tourists who sprawl out in grand city parks or hop between Mediterranean beaches. Some travellers are devoted to warm-weather destinations, but Europe in winter is a magical time to visit. Think traditional log fires, the snowy Alps, and Christmas trees in every town square. Besides the obvious reasons to visit in the colder season, like skiing and snowboarding, Europe’s best cities are also crowd-free and less expensive between November and March.