Summoning the spirit of Christmas can prove a tough task for some in the UAE.
But Europe’s numerous seasonal markets deliver a festive feelgood factor that can make the difference.
Six hours flight from Dubai, Vienna tenders several bustling examples set against epic architecture.
In the heart of the Austrian capital, iconic Rathausplatz hosts buzzing festive stalls and ice skating at Wiener Christkindlmarkt, beside the City Hall until Boxing Day.
Seasonal joy and glühwein – aka mulled wine – continue to flow at the stunning palaces of Belvedere and Schönbrunn until December 31 and January 6 respectively.
Meanwhile, nestled in front of baroque Karlskirche church, Art Advent places a focus on largely unique, handcrafted quality gifts.
This arts and crafts theme appears more prevalent in Cologne, eight hours onwards by train from Vienna.
The German city, renowned for its Christmas market scene, shares the vibrancy – as well as huge evening crowds – of Vienna’s festive offering, but the city centre layout makes its key markets a mostly walkable affair.
Cologne gives Vienna a run for its architecture with Weihnachtsmarkt with the beguiling Kölner Dom, one of the world’s largest cathedrals, as its backdrop.
The market follows a familiar format of festively-lit chalets selling myriad products from intricate baubles and soft toys to bobble hats and countless jewellery lines.
Copious amounts of food – think waffles through to miles of bratwurst – are served by numerous vendors, washed down by a tsunami of glühwein, punch concoctions and brews served in souvenir mugs and glasses.
Leave yourself time to visit the gothic cathedral, free to enter unless undertaking a tour.
A short stroll leads to Heinzels Wintermärchen where ice skaters glide by a large alpine chalet filled with revellers alongside themed alleys filled with luxury chocolate, fudge, cakes, gifts and craftsmen presentations such as glass-blowing and pottery.
If you are serious about Christmas shopping, our tip is to tour the markets by day for easier access to sellers, including artisans demonstrating their skills or adjusting products to customer requirements.
However, the full festive ambience only really arrives with nightfall, but so do the crowds which can reduce a wander around markets such as the enchanting House Elves’ Winter Fairytale, in Old Town, and the family-focused Nicholas’ Village at Rudolfplatz, to little more than a shuffle.
That said, the jubilant sounds, smell of mulled wine, sugary pretzels and nougat, and the bustle of seasonal enterprise make for an enticing and special combination.
The quaint Market of Angels is a great place to begin, or end your day as the cosiness of the chalets takes on greater warmth from illuminated surrounding trees while giant mannequins roam.
It is also a brief walk from one of Cologne’s other most intriguing structures; the Wasserturm Hotel Cologne, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a converted former water tower originally designed by London engineer John Moore in 1864. Where some hotels wow with their opulence, the star of this property is the circular building itself which fascinates with its curious layout.
Huge brick pillars provide a sense of scale, punctuated by steel walkways and spiral staircases, while strategic lighting picks out discreet seating spots.
Doorways lead to several small lounges that flank one side of the tower while newer additions include a modern meeting room and the Wintergarten restaurant where breakfast includes Power Start and Rabbit Speed juices and decadent, moorish creations such as Benedict Huevos Rancheros.
More steel and glass blend with brickwork on upper levels, including one incorporating a deceptively generous gym, and spa with massage room and sauna.
The Wasserturm is on its second iteration as a hospitality venue, with previous guests having included members of The Rolling Stones.
Not surprisingly, rooms leading off its round landings are a little here.
Our fourth floor King John Moore Duplex Suite featured a novel layout that included a kitchen and dining area dominated by a tall, arched window.
A second showpiece window gave natural light to a main lounge of modern furniture and shelves of photo books detailing Cologne and Germany’s many water towers. A wall timeline detailed the tower’s original development through to entering the Curio Collection in 2022.
A spiral staircase led to a mezzanine floor bedroom and a long black and white art deco bathrooms.
At the top of the tower, Bar Botanik is a stylish evening venue for innovative cocktails and snacks to larger meals. The venue’s generous outside area offers 360-degree views of the city…an ideal spot from which to plot your next day activities.
This includes Cologne’s Christmas markets, some of which remain open after Christmas, such as the smaller Harbour Market, beside the Chocolate Museum and the “love locks” of Hohenzollern Bridge, which continues until December 28. Heinzels operates until January 4.
For more on The Wasserturm, visit https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/cgnwtqq-wasserturm-hotel-cologne
