The scent of cinnamon in the air, the sound of carols in cobbled alleyways, and strings of lights that bring town squares to life – Christmas is a magical time to explore Europe on a vacation. Ahead of the festive season, we spoke with one of our beloved Travel Directors and a true local from Vienna, Carl Eggeling, to uncover what makes Trafalgar’s Christmas market tours unforgettable.
From mulled wine under the Alps to handmade ornaments with heart, Carl shares some of the traditions and how he helps guests unwrap the true spirit of the Christmas season.
What makes Christmas markets in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland unique?
“They are all a bit different in style,” says Travel Director Carl Eggeling. “I think that the most lovely one is the ambience in Salzburg, with the lights and the mountains around. There’s snow on the mountains, and everyone gets in a very festive mood with lots of lights and candles. In terms of what’s available at the markets, usually there’s food, there’s gifts, there’s hot drinks and stuff like that.”
Each market region has its own charm. In Austria, you’ll find yourself surrounded by baroque buildings, alpine peaks, and traditional choirs. Germany offers fantastic craft stalls and charming villages, while Switzerland offers scenic lakeside towns and sweet, world-class chocolate. As Carl highlights, it’s not just the products on offer – but the setting, the atmosphere, and the cultural touches that make each market one-of-a-kind.
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How do local specialties vary across the different regions?
“It’s slightly different across various areas because the Germans have a slightly different tradition when it comes to gingerbread, whereas the Austrians are more into their strudel, and the Swiss are more into their chocolates. So there are slight differentiations in local specialties,” he says.
“Mulled wine, called glühwein, is very popular. And they have various berries for non-alcoholic drinks, like berry juices and teas. It’s very enjoyable to hold something warm in your hand!”
Why are Christmas markets such a meaningful tradition in Europe?
“I think the most important thing is to see Christmas come alive with the traditions where they originate from,” Carl says. For many of our guests, this isn’t the fast-paced holiday season they may be used to – it’s slower, more intentional, and steeped in history. “Even the Christmas tree decoration started in 1818 in Vienna.
“There’s no such thing as Santa Claus over here. It is a pre-commercial Christmas. [In Austria] Christkind brings gifts to children on the 24th in the evening, which is so different.
“And in Nuremberg, for example, the biggest Christkindlmarket is in Nuremberg, Germany. That is [one of the oldest in Europe] and acts kind of like the role model to all these Christmas markets around. This is also where they have a Christian, usually a young girl representing Jesus Christ, as an angel.”
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What are the stories behind some beloved Christmas traditions?
“Silent Night originated from Salzburg. The traditional song was composed in the 1820s, but the organ broke down a little village outside Salzburg, and the teacher and the priest sat in a pub and composed “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht”.
“So this song with just guitar and singing was so that the kids on the 24th in the evening would have a lovely little song. And now this song has been translated into 140 different languages.
“I’m happy that the rest of the world is singing an Austrian song!”
How do you help Trafalgar guests get the most out of their Christmas market experience?
“Every city we are going to has at least a dozen different Christmas markets. There is, of course, repetition in the product – but many of the markets have really original handicrafts that are made locally,” Carl says. “We often try to support small places that have traditional arts and crafts.
Part of what makes Trafalgar’s festive trips so meaningful is the personal care from our Travel Directors.
“I often buy my guests a little souvenir for their Christmas tree so they can remember the trip every Christmas. Once I got them a little ornament from Swarovski – they have wonderful little stars, and they are dated every year.
“On my last trip, I got them a wonderful ornament from one of our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experiences – a wooden ornament in the form of a little Christmas tree.”
READ NEXT: Christmas markets in Europe
Have you ever received any gift yourself from the guests?
“Of course, they actually presented me with a little, very colorful Christmas tree,” he says. And another time, someone gave him an ornate candle holder for the tree. “We do real candles on our trees!”.
These heartfelt exchanges are part of what makes a Christmas vacation with Trafalgar so unique. The festive spirit is at the heart of the season. Will you join one of our Christmas market tours in 2025 or 2026?