London’s Winter Wonderland has become something of a festive tradition, twinkling lights, overpriced hot chocolate, and a hefty bill by the end of the night. What was once a charming Christmas outing now feels more like a luxury event in itself. But here’s the truth: for the same cost as a day wandering Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, you could be flying to Europe for a long weekend, sipping Glühwein in a medieval square surrounded by real snow, local crafts, and a whole lot

Discovering the Magic of Cologne's Christmas Markets. There’s something truly magical about experiencing a German Christmas market, and Cologne (Köln) takes it to another level. There’s something truly magical about experiencing a German Christmas market

Christmas markets are one of Europe’s most magical traditions, twinkling lights, steaming mugs of glühwein, wooden chalets filled with ornaments, and the smell of roasted chestnuts in the air. The best part? You don’t need two weeks of annual leave to enjoy them. With cheap flights, trains, and clever use of points, you can visit some of Europe’s top Christmas markets in just a weekend break. In this guide, I’ll share the best short breaks for Christmas markets you can do fr