Nuremberg

Christmas markets are a European staple, and few countries do Christmas markets better than Germany. And Nuremberg must be mentioned while discussing the best winter vacations in Europe. After all, it's hard to beat the blinking of holiday lights in a medieval town, especially under a soft dusting of December snow. Nuremberg is a big city in Germany. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, which has been around since around the 1500s, is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Germany.

Here, over one hundred stalls sell everything from the famous local "Rauschgoldengel" (gold-foil angel decorations) to the traditional lebkuchen gingerbread against a backdrop of historical buildings. With shopping done, visitors can catch a holiday concert at the Lorenzkirche church, home to one of the largest organs in the world. Or take a stroll up cobbled streets to the grounds of Nuremberg Castle, then visit the city's toy museum to learn about the centuries-old tradition of wooden toy making.

• Location: Bayern, Germany
• Where to Stay: Seminaris Hotel Nurnberg; Sheraton Carlton Hotel Nuernberg; Ramada by Wyndham Nuernberg Parkhotel
• Things to Do: Nuremberg Market, Nuremberg Castle, Toy Museum
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5