Enjoy Europe’s Advent Markets with Kirker Holidays including, NEW for 2011, Nuremburg and Lyon
Specialist tour operator for discerning travellers, Kirker Holidays has launched the 2011 edition of its popular Christmas Markets brochure, featuring no less than 20 of Europe’s most atmospheric destinations during the festive period.
New for 2011, Kirker introduces Nuremburg and Lyon to its selection of seasonal short breaks. Nuremburg’s enchanting Christmas market, set in the heart of the city’s old town, dates back to the 17thcentury. Open from 25 November until 24 December, it has over 200 stalls selling a tantalising choice of authentic handicrafts and traditional delicacies. In Lyon, head to the Place Carnot (from 29 November to 24 December) where colourful wooden chalets display gastronomic goodies alongside arts and crafts from the Rhône-Alpes region, perfect for Christmas gifts.
Ted Wake, Sales & Marketing Director at Kirker Holidays, comments: “In spite of grey winter weather and challenges in the Euro-zone, there’s never been a better time to escape on a short break to a Christmas market. Once the practicalities of picking up unique gifts for your beloveds back home is out of the way, treat yourself to gourmet delights from the pretty stalls or take time out from shopping with a delicious meal at a local restaurant.”
Make 2011 a Cultural Christmas
What could be more sublime than to blend Advent ambience with a world-class musical experience? KirkerHolidays can tailor-make a short break that combines ample time for city sightseeing and shopping with tickets to a festive ballet or opera performance. Enjoy a traditional Christmas concert in Salzburg, marvel at The Nutcracker in Budapest, experience an electrifying performance of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake at Prague’s State Opera House, snap up tickets to watch one of Berlin’s world-class opera companies, and much more.
Can’t wait for Christmas?
There’s not much longer to wait. Copenhagen’s magical market is the first to open this year – on 11 November, closely followed by Vienna on the 12th – while Prague’s mediaeval gothic city centre carries on the longest, continuing to host stalls brimming with mouth-watering local foods and some of the best wooden toys in Europe until 8 January.
Kirker’s Christmas Markets brochure offers a wide range of carefully-selected accommodation, ranging from characterful three-star properties to opulent five-star deluxe hotels, many of which are currently available with additional free nights and appealing winter prices. And, as with all Kirker short breaks, prices include return flights or standard-class Eurostar travel, return private transfers (for air holidays) and accommodation with breakfast. Kirker clients also receive a copy of Kirker’s unique guide notes to each destination, helping to make sure they get the very best from their stay.
Prices start from £335 ppf or a two-night break to Brussels, staying at the four-star superior HotelMetropole. Based on two sharing, this includes accommodation with breakfast, standard-class travel onEurostar and Kirker’s guide notes to restaurants and sightseeing.
A festive short break in new destination Nuremburg starts from £749 pp including three nights’ accommodation with breakfast at the four-star Le Meridien Grand, flights (London) and return private transfers. Short breaks in Lyon start from £629 pp on the same basis, staying at the three-star superior Grand Hotel des Terreaux.
For further information, or for a copy of the 2011 Christmas Markets brochure, call Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2283 , email xmas@kirkerholidays.com or visit www.kirkerholidays.com.