European Christmas Magic Within Easy Reach
British families can experience the enchantment of European Christmas celebrations without taking time off work or booking expensive hotel stays, thanks to the rising trend of extreme day tripping. Travel experts have identified three perfect festive destinations all within two hours travel from London.
The travel specialists at Iglu Cruise have crafted ideal itineraries for three European cities that promise unforgettable yuletide experiences. Each destination offers unique Christmas attractions and can be comfortably explored within a 24-hour visit.
Cologne: Germany's Christmas Market Capital
Just an hour and 20 minutes by plane from London, Cologne welcomes visitors with some of the world's most famous Christmas markets. The experts recommend starting your day exploring cultural highlights including Museum Ludwig and the Fina Frangrace Museum.
Afterward, head to the Ehrenfeld district for a coffee break and afternoon Kölsch beer before embarking on a scenic boat tour along the Rhine River to absorb Cologne's festive atmosphere. As evening falls, Heinzels Christmas Market comes alive with ice skating, shopping, and the KölnTriangle observation deck offering breathtaking views of the illuminated cathedral and sparkling Christmas lights.
Basel: Switzerland's Winter Wonderland
This snow-dusted fairytale town sits just an hour and 40 minutes from London by air. Basel's charming medieval old town provides the perfect starting point for your Christmas adventure, featuring beautifully decorated "Magische Höfe" or "Magical Courtyards."
Visitors can record their Christmas wishes in the Wish Book at the city hall courtyard before exploring the Barfüsserplatz Christmas Market. Here you can sample Swiss cheese and famous local gingerbread biscuits, followed by Christmas shopping beside the impressive 13-metre high Christmas Pyramid while enjoying mulled wine.
Culture enthusiasts won't want to miss the free Advent production at Basel Theatre, running daily from 1st to 23rd December at 5:00 PM. These performances feature varied programmes of small opera, drama and ballet productions. During these dates, climbing St Martin's Tower offers a bird's eye view of the market and illuminated old town for a small fee.
Amsterdam: Canals Aglow with Festive Light
Just an hour and 10 minutes' flight from London brings you to Amsterdam, where your Christmas day trip begins admiring the iconic canals and bridges in the Jordaan district while enjoying breakfast. The Museum Quarter provides plenty of morning entertainment before heading to the Winter Paradise RAI festival.
This winter wonderland features both indoor and outdoor ice rinks, a Ferris wheel, live music, Dutch waffles and cosy winter bars. As darkness falls, Amsterdam's Light Festival transforms the city, and experts strongly recommend an evening cruise for the best views of spectacular decorations shimmering across the water.
These carefully planned itineraries demonstrate that experiencing authentic European Christmas magic doesn't require lengthy holidays or substantial budgets. With all three destinations accessible within two hours from London, the festive season offers perfect opportunities for memorable day trips that capture the very best of continental Christmas traditions.
