The top winter break destinations in Europe

Taking a summer holiday in a sun-drenched hotspot is all well and good, but there is nothing quite like the feeling of wrapping up warm and heading out to explore a new city during winter. Travellers planning a city break over the coming months can choose from a number of destinations across Europe that offer magical and unforgettable experiences during the festive season.

Dublin

The Irish capital is famous for its warm welcome and good hospitality throughout the year, but this characteristic is particularly evident around Christmas time. Visitors can head to a number of locations in Dublin to experience the convivial atmosphere for which it is known, such as the vibrant Temple Bar cultural quarter, which boasts several bars and restaurants that will be full of life and excitement on chilly winter evenings. Several events will be taking place in Dublin over the next few months, such as the Docklands Christmas Market between December 10th and 23rd and the Temple Bar TradFest from January 27th to 31st. The city celebrates the turn of the year with parties, live music and fireworks displays on December 31st, followed by the Lord Mayor's New Year's Day Parade.

People interested in experiencing the Irish capital in winter can travel on the Liverpool to Dublin ferry route served by P&O Ferries and Norfolkline Irish Sea or take ferries to Dublin from Holyhead with Stena Line or Irish Ferries. Stena Line also provides ferries to Dun Laoghaire from Holyhead.

Edinburgh

Arguably the highlight of the chilly season in Edinburgh is the Winter Wonderland attraction that is set up in Princes Street Gardens. A giant ice rink is opened for visitors to test out their balance and various other seasonal features are on offer, including a traditional festive market, children's rides, carol concerts and a light show. Another attraction that makes Edinburgh a highly popular destination during the winter is the city's famous Hogmanay celebrations on New Year's Eve. The 2009-10 event will feature live performances by the likes of Madness and Noisettes, DJ sets, a traditional outdoor dance known as a ceilidh and a giant street party. People planning to visit Edinburgh after the Christmas chaos has died down will be able to see events including the Great Winter Run and the touring production of We Will Rock You in January.

Travellers based in Ireland can get to Edinburgh by taking ferries to Stranraer from Belfast with Stena Line or using the Larne to Cairnryan ferry service provided by P&O Ferries and driving north-east to the city. Norfolkline operates a Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry service that links south-east Scotland to mainland Europe.

Bruges

Winter holidaymakers visiting Bruges this season will be able to experience a unique event in the city - the Snow and Ice Sculpture exhibition. The show will be based at the city's train station from November 20th until January 10th. A team of 40 international ice sculptors will work to create the display, crafting a series of creatures and characters from 300 tones of ice and 400,000 kilos of fresh snow. Visitors will be able to spot characters from the new animated movie Ice Age 3 as they walk through the cooled hall before having a drink at the Ice Bar. Other highlights of a winter break in Bruges this year include the Christmas Happening Market, which will run from November 27th to December 6th. People celebrating New Year's Eve in Bruges will be able to gather in the city's central market square on January 1st to hear the traditional carillon performance.

Ferries to Zeebrugge, the port that serves as a gateway to Bruges, are available from Rosyth in Scotland with Norfolkline and from Hull with P&O Ferries. People based in southern England can travel on the Ramsgate to Ostend ferry route served by TransEuropa Ferries.

Salzburg

Travellers who want to embark on a real Christmas adventure might be interested in plotting a route to Austria to visit Salzburg, one of the country's most beautiful and enchanting destinations. Like most big cities in Europe, Salzburg hosts several Christmas markets that sell all manner of gifts and souvenirs, as well as hot drinks and food. The biggest fairs are based at Julius-Raab Platz, Hellbrunn Palace and Mirabellplatz. A number of Christmas manger and nativity scenes will be displayed throughout Salzburg from late December right up until February next year, at locations including St Peter's Monastery and Mulln Church. People planning to save some money by taking an off-peak break in January or February will still be able to attend some events in Salzburg, including exhibitions of African sculptures at Galerie Matombo.

Austria is located south-east of Germany and east of France. One way of reaching the country is by taking a ferry to Amsterdam from Newcastle with DFDS Seaways and driving through Germany. A similar route can be followed by travelling on the Hull to Rotterdam ferry service provided by P&O Ferries or taking a ferry to Hook of Holland from Harwich with Stena Line. Those based in the south can opt for a short sea crossing on the Dover to Calais ferry route, which is served by P&O Ferries and Seafrance, and drive south-east through France and Germany to get to Austria.

Paris

There will be a host of events taking place in Paris over the coming months, which will ensure that visitors have an unforgettable experience in the city. One of the highlights will be Disney on Ice's Princess Wishes show, which will be performed at Le Zenith from December 2nd to 13th. The production features much-loved characters from some of Disney's most popular films, including Aladdin's Jasmine, Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Another big event set to be staged in the French capital this winter is Ben Hur Live, an elaborate show recreating the chariot races and festivals of ancient Rome, which will come to the Paris-Bercy on December 19th and 20th. Visitors hoping to do some Christmas shopping will be able to explore some of the city's Christmas markets, which are based at Boulevard Saint Germain, Place Saint-Sulpice, La Defense and other locations. A city break in Paris can also get the new year off to a good start, with popular events including the January sales and the Bercy Modern Art Fair set to be held in the first month of 2010.

Travellers can take ferries to Le Havre from Portsmouth with LD Lines and drive south-east to get to Paris, or use the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry service provided by Transmanche Ferries, LD Lines' sister company. Other options include the short Dover to Calais ferry link, which is served by P&O Ferries and Seafrance, and Brittany Ferries' Portsmouth to Caen ferry route.

Posted by Mark Robinson