Eight in 10 festive Brits (78%) feel Christmas hasn't really begun – until they have visited a Christmas market, a study has found.
The same number claim these market stalls starting to pop up is a sure sign that the big day is approaching – and they enjoy wandering around hunting for handcrafted gifts, as well as sipping on hot chocolate or mulled wine.
As a result, 44% plan to visit a Christmas market this December – with six in 10 intending to travel to one that is not on their doorstep.
And it comes as the research, of 2,000 adults, revealed some of the top destinations Brits would be keen to travel to over the festive period – with the famous markets in Vienna ranking among the top five.
The Austrian capital was beaten only by seeing the northern lights in Iceland, Christmas shopping in New York – and visiting Santa and his reindeers in Lapland, Finland.
In fact, the top 20 list was, unsurprisingly, dominated by wintry destinations, such as a skiing holiday in the Alps. However, winter sun destinations also proved popular, with Barbados, Sydney, and Florida, featuring among the top 10.
Many would like to plan a trip a little closer to home, admiring the light-trail in Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens, while others would love to enjoy a magical Christmas vacation to Disneyland Paris.
And a third would like to travel for Yuletide so they can experience the festive season in another culture, while 27% want to enjoy an elusive white Christmas, according to the OnePoll.com research.
Matt Richardson, from John Lewis Travel Money, which commissioned the study, said: “Discovering the magic of Christmas goes beyond our doorsteps. With our world becoming more interconnected, a rising number of travellers are choosing to celebrate the holidays overseas.
“This growing trend isn't just about chasing snow – it's a quest for diverse traditions, unique celebrations, and the joy of being together with friends and family wherever you are in the world.”
It also emerged 26% want to set sail at this time of year to chase some winter sun – as 67% of these are fed up with the cold weather.
Almost one in three (32%) have previously travelled abroad at Christmas, with 63% of these saying they are some of the celebrations they look back most fondly on. And for these travellers, eight in 10 said it is important they have plenty of cash in the local currency to spend on the trip.
Meanwhile, of the 68% who haven’t yet had the opportunity to travel at Christmas, it is on the bucket list to do so for 38% – although 31% are worried that doing so could break family traditions they hold dearly.
Matt Richardson, from John Lewis Travel Money, added: “Christmas lovers are in their element when browsing the markets here in the UK, or abroad.
“We are lucky to have so many brilliant ones in this country, and hosted by our neighbours – and it’s clear from these findings, they are a quintessential part of our festive season.
“But when browsing the gifts and treats, it’s important not to be caught out without cash – especially overseas, as many of the stalls are not accepting card payment.”
TOP 20 DREAM DESTINATIONS TO VISIT AT CHRISTMAS:
- Lapland, Finland
- New York, USA
- Iceland
- Vienna, Austria
- Barbados
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
- Salzburg, Austria
- Sydney, Australia
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Rome, Italy
- Disneyland Paris
- Paris, France
- The Canary Islands
- The Alps, for skiing
- Innsbruck, Austria
- Prague, Czechia
- Munich, Germany
- Bruges, Belgium
- Berlin, Germany
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