Why not enjoy the magic of Christmas at European markets, suggests Amelie Skoda.

According to the website Travelsupermarket.com, nearly one in ten Britons will be heading to a festive Christmas market in Europe this winter. As well as the chance to pick up beautiful traditional gifts, you can also enjoy different festive customs and the cosy Christmas atmosphere, which often includes snow!

You may get the chance to ice-skate, then enjoy, in Germany, a glass of Glühwein or, in Jersey, perhaps a plate of oysters.

Here are some of the best European markets for your festive shopping:

CZECH REPUBLIC

Location:
Prague Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square

Opening Times:
November 27-January 1, Monday to Friday 9.00am - 7.00pm, Saturday and Sunday 9.00am - 8.00pm

Market Magic:
The Christmas market in Prague takes place in Old Town Square against the fairytale backdrop of the city's gothic architecture. The stalls here sell a variety of Czech crafts, including carved wooden sculptures, beeswax candles, pottery and straw ornaments — with a strong emphasis on food and drink. Look out for festive Czech foods such as trdelnik, a sweet pastry made from rolled dough topped with sugar and walnuts, and keep warm as you wander around with a cup of hot grog or mead.

How To Get There:
Easyjet flights from London to Prague start at £28.99 one way.

GERMANY

Location:
Berlin Gendarmenmarkt

Opening Times:
November 22 - December 31, Sunday to Thursday 11.00am - 10.00pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11.00am - 11.00pm, December 24 11.00am - 6.00pm, public holidays 11.00am - 10.00pm, December 31 11.00am - 1.00am

Market Magic:
Berlin is the ultimate Christmas market city, hosting more than 50 markets this year, ranging from the very large and commercial to the smaller, local fairs. For beautiful surroundings, head to the Gendarmenmarkt, where visitors to the handicrafts tent can learn about traditional skills such as flax embroidery, wood-carving and stonemasonry. There is also a varied musical and entertainment programme on all 38 days, including classical performances, gospel choirs and jazz, plus jugglers, acrobats, fire artists and dance groups. There's a charge of one euro to enter, children up to 12 go free.

How To Get There:
Lufthansa flights from London to Berlin start from around £90 return; train fares from London to Berlin from £315 return on day services, or £161 return on overnight services with Rail Europe.

FINLAND

Location:
Helsinki Esplanade Park

Opening Times:
December 7-22, Monday to Friday 11.00am - 7.00pm, Saturdays and Sundays 10.00am - 6.00pm

Market Magic:
For a Scandinavian Christmas experience, head to St Thomas Christmas market in Helsinki. About 120 wooden stalls will be selling hand-made crafts at this boulevard-style park, surrounded by classical buildings on either side and with a view of the market square and the sea at one end. As well as stocking up on knitted hats and scarves, visitors can sample baked goods and Finnish Christmas specialities, see a blacksmith at work and possibly bump into Santa Claus.

How To Get There:
Flights from London to Helsinki with British Airways start at £75 one way.

HUNGARY

Location:
Budapest Vorosmarty Square

Opening Times:
November 19-December 29, 10.00am - 8.00pm daily, closed December 24 from 2.00pm, and December 25-26

Market Magic:
Budapest's Christmas market has more than 100 wooden stalls selling folk arts and gifts. But it is not just about the crafts, there are also stalls serving national festive delicacies such as kurtoskalacs (conical pastries covered in sugar and cinnamon), strudels, roast meats and mulled wine, as well as traditional folk music. For kids, there is a puppet theatre and craft tent, plus the grand Gerbeaud coffee house turns its windows into an advent calendar, revealing a new picture every day throughout December at 5.00pm.

How To Get There:
Easyjet flights from London to Budapest from £34.99 one way.

BRUSSELS

Location:
Grand-Place, Bourse, Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons

Opening Times:
November 26, 2010-January 2, 2011, Monday to Thursday 12.00pm - 9.00pm, Friday to Sunday 11.00am - 10.00pm; December 24 12.00pm - 6.00pm, December 25 2.00pm - 10.00pm

Market Magic:
Brussels's blockbuster of a Christmas fair, Plaisirs d'Hiver, stretches through the city centre with 240 chalets, fairground attractions, a sledding track and a light show on the Grand Place. The market - one of the biggest in Europe - offers seasonal gifts and treats, including an array of festive Belgian chocolates. The highlight of the fair is the 1050m sq ice rink, set against an illuminated big wheel.

How To Get There:
Eurostar fares from London to Brussels start at £69 per person. Shearings offers a five-day tour of Christmas markets in Lille, Brussels and Bruges, departing November 28, December 2 and 12, from £234.

TALLINN

Location:
Old Town Square and Rotermann Square

Opening Times:
November 27, 2010 - January 9, 2011.
Old Town Square 9.00am - 7.00pm daily
Rotermann Square 10.00am - 7.00pm daily

Market Magic:
Tallinn's pre-Soviet tradition of Christmas markets was revived 10 years ago and this Christmas, the city will be hosting two markets. The Old Town's market is surrounded by picturesque cobblestoned streets, medieval buildings and gothic spires, while the newcomer at Rotermann Square takes place among old brick warehouses and glass office buildings. Both markets will feature Estonian craft products. Expect felt slippers, buckwheat pillows, wooden bowls, hand-sewn quilts and knitted jumpers, as well as typical Christmas foods from the region, which include blood sausages, gingerbread, marzipan and honey.

How To Get There:
Flights from London to Tallinn start at £36.99 outward with Easyjet and from £18.99 from Tallinn to London.

JERSEY

Location:
St Helier

Opening times:
December 2-12, 2010, open every day until 8.00pm, Sundays until 6.00pm

Market Magic:
The streets of St Helier light up as the annual Fete de Noue gets underway. Attractions include a Victorian market, Christmas crafts and a fish market selling locally caught fish and seafood. This year visitors can also take in a movie at the mini film festival from December 11-12, and the island's traditional Christmas parade takes place on Sunday, December 12.

How To Get There:
Flybe fly to Jersey from nine UK airports; prices from around £73.60 return from London Luton.