Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is in Alsace, a region with strong ties to French and German cultures. It is located alongside the Rhine River and across from Germany's the Black Forest. It hosts a holiday market and you will be surprised because of the number and variety of them as well as the quality of the goods you may get here.
Waterways meandering among half-timbered buildings line the streets, adding immeasurably to the setting. There is one market devoted to international craftspeople, featuring the specialties of another country each year. The Christkindelsmärik at Place Broglie in the center of the Grande Île, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the oldest of the markets. The market along the water in the Petit France area is equally beautiful. Alsatian specialties are the focus of an entire market at Place du Marché-aux-Poissons. The Great Christmas Tree and the Village du Partage (Village of Sharing), where each booth supports a charitable organization or human rights issue, coexist in Place Kléber. Visit the information desk at the train station to get the helpful map that details the locations and specialties of each market before venturing out.
