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Swiss Christmas Markets
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St.
Nicholas poses with his donkey and sidekick. (In Switzerland, the
saint--not to be confused with Santa Claus--makes his rounds
on Dec. 6.) |
In Switzerland, Christmas markets are
as much a part of the holiday tradition as St. Nicholas pastries, holiday
chocolates, butter cookies, and the Zürich "fairy tale tram" that
hauls children up and down the Bahnhofstrasse with St. Nick on board.
Markets vary in scope from the month-long indoor Christkindli Markt in
Zürich's main railroad station to weekend events in smaller towns. Yet all
share the same basic themes: Christmas ornaments, gifts, tasty baked goods, hot
refreshments like Bratwurst and spiced Glühwein, and plenty of
traditional Swiss atmosphere.
Some of Switzerland's best-known Christmas markets are in Basel, Bern,
Geneva, Montreux, and Zürich. Most run from late November until Christmas Eve,
although a few (such as Montreux and Yverdon-des-Bains) don't begin until early
or mid-December.
A number of Swiss Christmas markets have Web pages, and you'll find links to
these (along with more information on the markets themselves) on
pages 2 and 3. For links to other articles on Christmas markets here at Switzerland
& Austria for Visitors and elsewhere, see page 4.
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Christmas-market
links
Photo copyright © Switzerland Tourism
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