Newmarket Holidays has launched last-minute discounts on a selection of tours to Christmas markets across Europe, helping travellers kickstart their festivities with small-scale shopping in picturesque settings where they can find gifts-with-a-difference and local food and drink favourites that are guaranteed to swell the Christmas spirit. 

Product Manager Phillipa Butcher recommends three Christmas Markets that are under-the-radar and offer magical experiences.

>> Download pictures here

RIGA, LATVIA

Riga is said to have started the tradition of decorating Christmas trees more than 500 years ago, and the charming Latvian capital still puts a brightly dressed tree at the centre of its celebrations. The festive market in the Old Town Square is less commercial, more traditional and intimate than many of Europe's best-known events, with stalls selling traditional gifts including handmade clothes, Latvian hats and colourful mittens, wooden toys and beautiful ornaments, with sausages, sauerkraut, gingerbread and karstvīns (mulled wine) to warm visitors. A group trip with Newmarket Holidays includes a guided tour of the capital, with the lovingly reconstructed 'House of the Blackheads', Riga Castle, the towering Freedom Monument and the UNESCO-listed Quiet Centre district among the highlights. There's also the option to visit Gauja National Park, which is a refuge for elk, European bison and brown bears.

Details: Three nights' bed & breakfast from £363pp (saving £90pp), including flights from Leeds Bradford on 15 December, a tour manager and guided city tour. Other departures available, newmarketholidays.co.uk, 0333 060 3384.

Direct link: https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/europe/riga-christmas-markets 

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND

Snow is a certainty in the Swiss Alps, and the colourful festive market at chic Montreux, on the banks of Lake Geneva, makes the most of this wonderful setting, with cosy wooden chalets selling gifts from across the Alps, and Swiss treats like vin chaud and cinnamon crepes proving irresistible, and there are more creators to discover behind the battlements of the island castle Château Chillon.

Details: Three nights' half board from £477pp (saving £158pp), including flights from Luton on 7 December, tour manager and transfers. Entry to Château Chillon payable locally. Other departures available, newmarketholidays.co.uk, 0330 160 7700. 

Direct link: https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/europe/swiss-christmas-markets

KRAKOW, POLAND

Poland's ancient capital hosts a colourful Christmas market in the vast Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), with the traditional skill of Christmas crib-building on show at Mariacki Church and Wawel Castle, both examples of Krakow's stunning Gothic architecture. The break includes a walking tour through the medieval heart of the city to Rynek Główny, Europe's largest square, plus the option of a fascinating folklore show alongside dinner.

Details: Three nights' bed and breakfast from £328pp (saving £81pp), including flights from Gatwick on 28 November, guided walking tour and transfers. Other departures available, newmarketholidays.co.uk, 0330 160 7700.

Direct link: https://www.newmarketholidays.co.uk/holidays/europe/krakow-christmas-markets 

- Ends –

About Newmarket Holidays

Newmarket Holidays is a multi-award-winning, independently owned British tour operator, providing a portfolio of escorted trips, resort-centred stays, and event-focused tours throughout the world. Founded in 1983, Newmarket Holidays has steadily grown and expanded to become one of the UK's leading and most respected travel companies. High standards of customer care and value are integral to Newmarket Holidays' operations and this is reflected in the meticulously-designed tours, from accommodation to on-the-ground experiences. 

Offering a vast selection of escorted, air-inclusive tours within the UK, Europe, Americas, India and South-east Asia, Newmarket Holidays also presents a range of ocean and river cruises. Additionally, the tour operator is a popular provider of concert and event experiences such as Lapland Santa Experience, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships and performances by classical violinist and orchestra leader André Rieu.

For more details, please contact: E dan@humewhitehead.co.uk T: +44 (0)7429 256 670