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<\/p>\nEight in 10 festive Brits (78%) feel Christmas hasn't really begun \u2013 until they have visited a Christmas market, a study has found. <\/p>\n
The same number claim these market stalls starting to pop up is a sure sign that the big day is approaching \u2013 and they enjoy wandering around hunting for handcrafted gifts, as well as sipping on hot chocolate or mulled wine.<\/p>\n
As a result, 44% plan to visit a Christmas market this December \u2013 with six in 10 intending to travel to one that is not on their doorstep.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 with the famous markets in Vienna ranking among the top five.<\/p>\n
The Austrian capital was beaten only by seeing the northern lights in Iceland, Christmas shopping in New York \u2013 and visiting Santa and his reindeers in Lapland, Finland.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Many would like to plan a trip a little closer to home, admiring the light-trail in Edinburgh\u2019s Royal Botanic Gardens, while others would love to enjoy a magical Christmas vacation to Disneyland Paris.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Matt Richardson, from John Lewis Travel Money, which commissioned the study, said: \u201cDiscovering 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis growing trend isn't just about chasing snow \u2013 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also emerged 26% want to set sail at this time of year to chase some winter sun \u2013 as 67% of these are fed up with the cold weather.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, of the 68% who haven\u2019t yet had the opportunity to travel at Christmas, it is on the bucket list to do so for 38% \u2013 although 31% are worried that doing so could break family traditions they hold dearly.<\/p>\n
Matt Richardson, from John Lewis Travel Money, added: \u201cChristmas lovers are in their element when browsing the markets here in the UK, or abroad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are lucky to have so many brilliant ones in this country, and hosted by our neighbours \u2013 and it\u2019s clear from these findings, they are a quintessential part of our festive season.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when browsing the gifts and treats, it\u2019s important not to be caught out without cash \u2013 especially overseas, as many of the stalls are not accepting card payment.\u201d<\/p>\n
TOP 20 DREAM DESTINATIONS TO VISIT AT CHRISTMAS:<\/p>\n