Singapore, 30 May 2013 - While Singapore is bracing itself for the rush of the seasonal end-of-year sales, cities across Europe are primping for a different kind of festive shopping tradition - their storied Christmas markets. Premium and luxury tour operator Insight Vacations offers travellers the chance to escape the holiday crush in Singapore and step into an authentic European Christmas.

"Traditional European Christmas markets are a unique experience that can only be experienced in certain locales at a very specific time of the year. We are happy to be able to offer travellers the convenience of having itineraries planned around these festive events, accompanied by our signature levels of service and comfort," said Ms Sheryl Lim, Regional Director, Asia, Insight Vacations.

If you are searching for the most classic winter experience on the continent, the north is the place to start. Many of our modern festive customs originated in Germany, imported into the English-speaking world by Prince Albert when he married Queen Victoria in 1840, and it is in Germany where visitors can witness these seasonal trappings in their most untainted and unadulterated forms. Characterised by warmly lit wooden huts, hearty food and steaming wine, Christmas markets there share an old-world charm. The Christkindlmarkt of Munich is a classic example, featuring sweetmeats such as lebkuchen (gingerbread) and zwetschgenmanderl (edible figures made with plums and nuts) as well as wood-carven figures from Oberammergau and the Erzgebirge mountains. Just one street down is Krippelmarkt, or the "Market of the Holy Manger", which is renowned for its displays of handcrafted Nativity scenes.

Across the border in neighbouring Austria, Christmas celebrations begin one day early on the 24th and gifts are delivered by the Christkind, a sprite-like child, instead of Santa Claus. The largest market in Vienna lies on Rathausplatz, and features a 32-metre tall, 120-year-old tree illuminated by 1,000 lights. Besides serving as the central point of the sprawling bazaar, the tree is also the backdrop for performances by wind ensembles from across Austria. For a more casual and kitschy experience, head down to Salzburg, home to Mozart and "The Sound of Music". Street musicians provide entertainment, while the wares on sale include such bric-à-brac as painted tins, homemade soaps and snow globes in addition to more traditional handicrafts.

A slightly less conventional but no less delightful destination over the Christmas break is Italy. Less wintry than the rest of the continent but equally festive, its holiday celebrations are perfect for those who prefer milder climes. In Venice, the Campo Santo Stefano is transformed into a small Christmas village, and takes pride in displaying only local products. From carnival masks to Murano glass jewellery to marbled paper, the trinkets offered here are vastly different from their counterparts in the north. The cuisine also takes on a distinctly Mediterranean flavour, with creamy-white almond studded nougat and fruit-filled panettone. For travellers who want to indulge in more contemporary shopping, Milan is the place to fill your Christmas stockings. Quadrilatero d'Oro is a must-visit for the most exclusive Italian brands, while Corso Buenos Aires doubles as both Europe's longest shopping street and Milan's high street fashion central.

For a first-hand experience of the magic of a European winter, travel in style with Insight Vacations on these itineraries and more:

• 8-day German Christmas Markets (from US$1,925)

Departing 26, 30 November and 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15 December

• 9-day Alpine Christmas Markets (from US$1,975)

Departing 29 November and 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15 December

• 9-day Winter Wonderland featuring Christmas Markets (from US$2,035)

Departing 23, 25, 27, 30 November and 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 19, 21 December

• 7-day Prague, Vienna and Budapest featuring Christmas Markets (from US$1,499)

Departing 24 November and 1, 8, 15, 22 December

• 9-day Winter Explorer (from US$2,529) with Christmas markets to be explored at leisure

Departing 13 December

Book and pay in full for these land tours before 31 August 2013 to enjoy savings of up to 7.5% (or up to US$298) per person. Citibank cardholders will also receive an exclusive 28" trolley luggage if they spend over S$6,000 on Insight Vacations land tours and associated airfare.

For more information, please contact 6922 5950 / 6338 7338, email info@insightvacations.com.sg or see www.insightvacations.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow them on Twitter (@InsightVacation) or like them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/InsightVacations).

About Insight Vacations

Founded in 1978, Insight Vacations is Europe's premier escorted tour operator with offices in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and the UK. Insight provides premium escorted coach journeys throughout Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, North America and the Indian subcontinent. "The Art of Touring in Style" lies at the very heart of Insight's philosophy. Its travel programs are specially designed to showcase each destination while indulging guests with impeccable service standards. Uniquely, Insight delivers exceptional quality, unequalled value, and unforgettable escorted vacations that allow guests time to enjoy personal freedom while holidaying, at levels currently unrivalled elsewhere. Insight's international team of travel professionals plays host to over 100,000 guests each year. The company has appointed specialist travel agents throughout Asia in Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

For media queries, please contact:
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