25 European Destinations Perfect at Christmas

There's no continent as captivating at Christmastime as Europe and the following 25 places are all guaranteed to fill you with the spirit of the season.

Scotland's Hogmanay festival makes the country one of the best places to be for New Year's, but the Highlands are heavenly at Christmas, too. Base yourself in the town of Aviemore, so you can gaze at the snow-coated hills of Cairngorm Mountain National Park and have the chance to visit Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer. The best way to warm-up afterward? A trip to a local whisky distillery, of course.

Each year, Liege plays host to an annual Christmas Village in its romantic town center. Here, you will find mouthwatering food and drink from the local region (think gooey waffles, tasty cheese and meats) and the chance to purchase unique souvenirs featuring characters from local Wallonian folklore.

The Ore Mountains are a rugged section of Germany near the border with the Czech Republic. The area was a mecca for mining, but when the mines started closing, the locals turned to wooden toymaking as a trade. That means that you will find Christmassy incense smokers, candle arches, wooden pyramids, nutcrackers and other traditional gifts at Christmas markets throughout the region today. To many, the Ore Mountains are the most Christmassy region in all of Germany.

The entire Alsace region of France is known for its Christmassy atmosphere, with towns big and small hosting markets and seasonal fun. Colmar is arguably the best mix of everything as this medium-sized town hangs thousands of twinkling lights from its half-timbered buildings and hosts several Christmas markets all while still managing to feel intimate.

This little Austrian village near Salzburg was the precise spot where "Silent Night" was sung for the very first time in 1818 and it has become a place of pilgrimage for fans of the carol the world over. You can visit the chapel where it was first recited and partake at a small but extremely cozy Christmas market.

London positively shines at Christmastime. Start your day off with an ice skating session at Somerset House, then go shopping on Oxford Street before soaking up the seasonal hijinx at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Or, just spend your day sipping mulled wine by the fire at a cozy pub. Either way, it won't take long to figure out that Britain goes bonkers for Christmas.

The birthplace of many of Germany's most cherished holiday traditions, Saxony is considered by many to be the country's most Christmassy region. The capital Dresden is home to Germany's oldest Christmas market and maintains a festive mood through the entire season. Shop for Christmas decorations from the aforementioned Ore Mountains at the market while nibbling on Dresden Stollen-the city's delicious seasonal cake.

Turns out that Santa doesn't live at the North Pole anymore. The big man is chilling his boots inside the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland and he's accepting houseguests at his sprawling Santa Claus Village. Visit here during the holidays for an experience neither you or the kids will ever forget.

The Danish capital is divine at Christmastime. Two of the must-visits are the beloved theme park Tivoli Gardens, which goes off-the-charts charming when festooned with fairy lights and the handsome Hotel D'Angleterre, home to a sparkling seasonal facade and one of the best mugs of mulled wine in the city.

Zurich is so dedicated to holiday cheer that they put a Christmas tree dripping with Swarovski crystals inside the main train station. After you take in that sight, stroll through the winding lanes of the Old Town before retreating to the Baur au Lac, the legendary local hotel that gets decked out in its Christmas best each and every year.

Nuremberg is known far and wide for the wonder of its Christmas market, which is one of Germany's oldest. Peruse the candy cane red-and-white striped market stalls while you nibble on traditional local bratwurst before viewing a live concert or appearance from the fairytale-like Christkind (the Christmas gift-giver in this part of Europe).

The hills are alive with Christmas spirit in Salzburg. Yes, the setting for the Sound of Music turns into a fairytale during December as several Christmas markets sprawl out underneath the town's oft snow-dusted castle.

Brush up on your "Buon Natale" greeting for your trip to Bolzano, home to Italy's biggest Christmas market. Surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomite mountains, Bolzano has a rich heritage of both Italian and German Christmas traditions and it makes for a very special atmosphere indeed.

While Cologne's grand cathedral is the setting for a quality Christmas market, those in the know seek out the Angel's Market, which is decorated in nothing but enchanting white lights. Sip a glass of sparkling wine at the bar there before browsing the stalls for artisan crafts to take home for Christmas.

The capital of Switzerland is a wonderful place to be in winter, indeed. The old streets and fountains of the medieval Old Town seem straight out of a seasonal fairytale and when you combine that with their multiple Christmas markets-and the chance to take quick trips up into the Alps-you have yourself holiday heaven.

Another Saxon Christmas star, Leipzig gets filled to the brim with Christmas markets and holiday cheer each year. Make sure to visit the main town square in order to watch a brass band play festive tunes from the balcony of the town hall.

It may be the brooding castle, or it could be the steep medieval streets, but somehow magnificent Edinburgh manages to feel Christmassy all year long. During the season itself, the city comes alive with lights, plenty of seasonal events and a carnival-like Christmas market.

Innsbruck is located smack dab in the middle of the snow-capped Alps and the city shimmers all season long. Peruse the many markets in the historic center of the city (and besides the rushing water of the Inn River) after a day spent hitting the nearby ski slopes.

At times, Montreux can feel the downright Mediterranean, but they still know how to bring out the holiday magic. Their Christmas market spreads out alongside the shores of Lake Geneva and if you take the cog railway up to Rochers-de-Naye, you can pay a visit to Santa Claus (Pere Noel in these parts) himself.

Arguably Poland's prettiest city, Krakow is a very Christmassy place, indeed. The main town square hosts a gorgeous Christmas market, where you can stock up on Polish specialties. The city is also just a quick trip from the snowy slopes of Zakopane, one of the continent's most underrated ski regions.

Downtown Manchester is taken over by multiple Christmas markets each year-including a giant light-up Santa-creating one of the best seasonal atmospheres among British big cities. After a day skipping between chalets, take the train out to the Peak District to see Chatsworth House at its most dapper and the cute town of Bakewell, both guaranteed to put you in the holiday mood.

This small Austrian ski village hosts one of the country's best Alpine Christmas markets each year. Under the shadow of its beguiling onion-domed church, warm your insides with local schnapps and your outside by standing next to the crackling fire pits.

Goslar is located at the foot of Germany's Harz Mountains, a range rich in holiday traditions. Spend time sipping mulled wine by the fountain in the main town square before getting lost in the Christmas forest, a courtyard filled to the brim with real Christmas trees.

Croatia's capital is the country's best Christmas destination. Walk the wide boulevards of this grand city, filling up your bags of shopping along the way before warming up at the city's myriad of festive markets.

Vienna is grand any time of year, but when the glittering seasonal lights are hung on the streets and the smell of chestnuts wafts through the air, it becomes Austria's Christmas capital. Spend your days shopping for loved ones-with many breaks built in to warm up at the city's elegant cafes) and your nights walking through the many Christmas markets, with the one in front of the splendid Schonbrunn palace being especially atmospheric.