Planning a festive break this winter? We've rounded up our top picks for some of Europe's best Christmas markets to explore this year, all within walking distance of an IHG® (Intercontinental Hotel Group) hotel where you can find comfort and get a great night's sleep at the end of a festive evening.

WARSAW, POLAND

Christmas highlights: The main Christmas Market in Gdansk and the festive Arts & Crafts market will take place on the Main Town's Coal Market this year – from the 1st until the 23rd of December. One of the most beautiful and magical in Poland, the Christmas Market in Gdansk will open on the first day of December. Goers will be immersed in a Christmas fairy-tale. The market's area will be divided into three lanes named Angel's Lane (Anielska), Chocolate Lane (Czekoladowa) and Cinnamon Lane (Cynamonowa).

Where to stay: Having opened in August, Holiday Inn Gdansk®, the 240-room Holiday Inn Gdansk – City Centre is located on Granary Island. The seven-storey hotel has five conference rooms, a 24-hour gym, restaurant and a Sky Bar. It also features the new Holiday Inn 'open lobby' concept, which includes a bar and workspaces and is perfect to come back to after a day of festivities. In addition, kids under 12 eat and stay for free.

Room rates: From £103.59 or ‎zł 494.70*

Address: Holiday Inn : Krakow City Centre, Ul Wielopole 4, Krakow, 31-072

To book: Book direct via www.ihg.com/holidayinn or through the IHG Rewards Club app.

STRASBOURG, FRANCE

Christmas highlights: Opening at the end of November, this festive market remains a favourite for Christmas lovers with its four Advent concerts and its Living Nativity, along with authentic live music and cultural events. Having first launched back in 1570, travellers come from around the world to visit this magical place and experience what it has on offer, with its famous Christmas tree, scenic wooden chalets and mulled wine to add to the occasion.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express® Strasbourg - Centre is located in the city centre, only a short stroll away from the Christmas market. The hotel is the perfect place for travellers seeking a spot of Christmas magic in Europe within easy reach of the market. An Express Start™ Breakfast is included in the room rate with free Wi-Fi on offer. Being only 13km away from the airport, Strasbourg is a great place for on the move explorers, who are visiting the town during the busy festive period.

Room rates: From £110 or €120.84*

Address:  Holiday Inn Express Strasbourg - Centre, Rue de la Corderie, Strasbourg, 67000

To book: Book direct at www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/ or via the IHG Rewards Club app.

CARDIFF, WALES

Christmas highlights: The Cardiff Christmas Market will return to the pedestrian streets of Cardiff City Centre in St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes on Thursday 14 November until Monday 23 December 2019 with yet another exciting and eclectic mix of both new and returning exhibitors as their original, hand made products are the essence of what makes our market so different and special every year.

Where to stay: voco™ St David's Cardiff is set on Cardiff Bay's waterfront, with glass-fronted façade, private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a coastal setting. Less than 10 minutes away from the city centre, this hotel is the most angelic setting for a magical Christmas break. After a day of festivities, return to the hotel's restaurant and bar – The Admiral St David- which draws inspiration from the eclectic food culture and bold flavours of Australasia and Asia-Pacific or book yourself in at the award-winning Marine Spa to indulge an relax.

Room rates: From £190.44

Address:  voco : St. David's Cardiff, Havannah Street, Cardiff, CF10 5SD

To book: Book direct at www.vocohotels.com or via the IHG Rewards Club app.

MUNICH, GERMANY

Christmas highlights: This Christmas market is held in the heart of the city in Marienplatz square, with plenty of delicious foods, carol singers and a nativity display. The traditional German Christmas cuisine is a must and be sure to check out one of Germany's most famous attractions, the Hofbräuhaus Brewery to get you in the festive jolly spirit.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn® Munich - City Centre Hotel is only a short walk away from the iconic Marienplatz, in the quiet and enchanting atmosphere of Haidhausen, a quarter close to the Isar river. Families can mingle in the hotel's Open Lobby where kids can play games whilst parents can unwind and grab a drink. The property boasts 582 rooms, offering a beautiful view of Munich's skyline. A pillow menu and blackout curtains are provided for every room with central heating for a restful night Kids aged under 12 eat and stay for free too so this is a great choice for those wishing to escape on a budget this Christmas.

Room rates: From £96.27 or €105.36*

Address: Hochstrasse 3, Munich, 81669 Germany

To book: Book direct at https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/ or via the IHG Rewards Club app.

LONDON, ENGLAND

Christmas highlights: Running for over a decade, London's Winter Wonderland exudes Christmas spirit during the winter. The attraction hosts Christmas-themed activities, including an enormous ice-skatings rink, roller coaster rides, street food stalls, a Ferris wheel, Bavarian-themed beer halls with live music and a huge Christmas market. Winter Wonderland is the perfect place for families and friends to spend time with loved ones this Christmas.

Where to stay: Crowne Plaza® London – Kensington makes for a perfect base for travellers wishing to discover the city's culture and heritage in a short amount of time, being only a twenty-minute walk away from Winter Wonderland. The hotel is only a five-minute taxi ride from the elegant shops and restaurants of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, allowing guests to quickly navigate around the city and experience everything London has to offer. This is a desirable destination for those who want space in an intimate setting and offers a stylish Umami restaurant and cocktail bar to dine at after exploring the festivities of the city.

Room rates: From £183 or €205*

Address: Crowne Plaza London Kensington - 100 Cromwell Rd, Kensington, London SW7 4ER

To book:  Book direct via www.ihg.com/crowneplaza or through the IHG Rewards Club app.

Guests can earn IHG® Rewards Club points with every stay. Points can then be redeemed for future Reward Night stays at any IHG hotel worldwide. Guests will get the lowest rate available – Your Rate- by booking direct through IHG® Rewards Club.

*Price per room, based on two people sharing for one night on 01.12.19

Images sourced from Google.

Contact details

Olivia Swarbrick | Olivia.swarbrick@hkstrategies.com | 02079735967

About IHG®

IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN® Hotels, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, voco™ Hotels, Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations®, Holiday Inn Resort®, avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,600 hotels and nearly 843,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with over 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 400,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

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