Winter Wonderland: Destinations to Embrace the Chill

Winter in Europe brings with it a special charm that you don’t experience at any other time of the year. The temperature dips, the scenery changes and the anticipation of Christmas and the New Year fills the air.

From snowy landscapes to festive markets, plus the added attraction of Christmas lights and New Year’s Eve fireworks, there are so many things to see, do and taste that make this season so special.

Ease yourself into cooler climes with a visit to ‘warm’ Barcelona, with its Mediterranean-influenced weather. 

The capital of Catalonia is famous for its gastronomy and numerous Michelin-starred restaurants. With the convenient location of Capri by Fraser, Barcelona, getting around the city is easy. If you are looking for things to do in Barcelona in winter, explore both modern and traditional Spanish cuisine, and take part in the Feast of Epiphany — one of the biggest Yuletide celebrations in the city that marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas.

Stay on to welcome the New Year at Placa d’Espanya, and join the locals as the city erupts in a thrilling display of fireworks at the stroke of midnight.

Christmas markets

If visions of sugar plums, mulled wine and quaint Christmas ornaments dance in your head at this time of year, you’ll find more than your fill at festive markets in Switzerland and Germany.

Geneva is home to a delightful array of Christmas markets, all easily accessible from Fraser Suites Geneva. Don’t miss these four famous Geneva Christmas markets in the scenic Swiss city:

• Noël du Jardin at Jardin Anglais is the main Christmas market with its distinctive Christmas Pub, Fondue Chalet, Ferris Wheel, Carousel and Children’s Yurt.

• Mont Blanc Christmas Market is rich in tradition, and you can spend hours browsing through handmade gift items and locally crafted specialities.

• Carouge Christmas Market delights with a marvelous mix of handmade crafts, food, art and even an ice skating rink.

• Geneva Christmas Market at Marché de la Fusterie (Marché de Noël à la Fusterie) is another popular festive market at Place de la Fusterie.

Germany is synonymous with Christmas, thanks to the many festive markets that can be found around the country.

In the heart of Frankfurt, where Capri by Fraser, Frankfurt is located close to major attractions, you’ll find one of the most popular Frankfurt Christmas markets, the Weihnachtsmarkt am Römerberg in the city's historic square.

There’s also Sachsenhausen Christmas Market at the iconic Goethe Tower (Weihnachtsmarkt am Goetheturm), where a children’s carousel spins slowly in the warm glow of fairy lights.

Don’t miss the Scandinavian-inspired Swedish Christmas Market (Schwedischer Weihnachtsmarkt) by the Swedish Church Community in Frankfurt; and get close to the ‘real’ Santa Claus at the Finnish Christmas Bazaar (Finnischer Weihnachtsmarkt) where you can sample reindeer soup and glögi (Finnish mulled wine).

With their whimsical, fairytale ambience, German markets have a distinctive charm, and the magic continues in Hamburg. From Fraser Suites Hamburg, you’ll easily find a festive fair anywhere you go. There are at least seven Hamburg Christmas markets, offering everything from festive food and drink, to handmade toys and cooking tools.

For a change of pace, take in Hamburg’s famous Christmas parades, filled with dancing angels, elves and reindeer on colourful floats.

Next, head to the snowy landscape of Leipzig city, best enjoyed from the modern serviced apartments of Capri by Fraser, Leipzig. The usual Leipzig Christmas markets are aplenty, but the city’s festive spots and musical attractions are worth exploring as well. Visit the Partner Pferd equestrian event at the Leipzig Exhibition Centre, or attend the Gewandhaus Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve concerts. For a special treat, have dinner at the sky-high Panorama restaurant, for its spectacular view of fireworks on Dec 31.

Another great destination to ring in 2024 is New Year's Eve in Berlin. Whether you prefer dancing the night away at renowned nightclubs, strolling through the picturesque Tiergarten Park, or witnessing the spectacular fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin has it all.

French festive flair

For a taste of joie de vivre, head to the fashion capital of France and immerse yourself in local culture and heritage at

Fraser Suites Le Claridge. With its perfect location in the middle of Avenue des Champs-Elysées, you’ll bask in the magical Christmas in Paris created by 400 trees shimmering with festive lights and decorations.

While the allure of Parisian luxury boutiques may be hard to resist, make time to attend a Christmas concert or opera at Saint-Germain des Prés and Saint Sulpice. Get into the festive spirit by ice skating at the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop Ice Rink, with its breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, or at the Champ-de-Mars Christmas Village.

For a different perspective of Paris in winter, there’s the luxurious Fraser Suites Harmonie in the La Défense business district, which also hosts the largest Christmas market in the surrounding region. Spread over 13,000 sq m with more than 170 stalls, Christmas shopping will be a breeze.

The nearby La Défense metro station also provides easy access to other Christmas attractions, as well as the city’s famed museums and restaurants. 

A British Christmas

Heading north to Scotland, two hotels in historic surroundings offer the perfect base from which to enjoy winter in the UK. Fraser Suites Glasgow in Scotland’s biggest city, has the famous George Square Christmas Market. With its towering Christmas tree and magnificent observation wheel, a huge ice skating rink, Victorian carousel, singers and dancers, it never fails to thrill visitors from Dec 1 to Jan 7.

If you’re spending winter in the city, Glasgow Christmas markets and festive acitivies will surely delight you!

Other famous Christmas markets beckon closer to the North Sea, where the luxury serviced apartments of Fraser Suites Edinburgh are conveniently located in the historic city centre.

Visit this year’s most magical Edinburgh Christmas markets, from the East Princes Street Gardens, with stunning views of iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument. Or the West Princes Street Gardens – Family Funfair with a range of delightful rides and attractions.

For a more relaxing time, just chill out at the spectacular Christmas Ice Rink along George Street between Charlotte Square and Castle Street with its majestic view of the town’s skyline.

Then travel down to the dynamic English capital of London, where all four Frasers Hospitality properties take care of you in its  accommodation that offers convenient access to the city’s popular attractions.

At Fraser Suites Queens Gate, Fraser Suites Kensington and Park International, a festive combination of culture, shopping and entertainment are found in the royal borough of Kensington. For families and the young spending Christmas in London, Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland offers ice skating, ice slides, roller coasters and ice sculpting workshops.

After that, hop onto a bus to Trafalgar Square to marvel at its spectacular Christmas tree, and visit the charming Christmas market next to The National Gallery. This cosy market is a cherished Christmas spot in London in winter. The stalls offer an eclectic mix of festive ornaments, stylish hats and gloves, hearty street food, and plenty of one-of-a-kind gift ideas for friends and family.

Not far away, in the shadow of the London Eye – the Southbank Centre Christmas Market is another must-visit spot in London in December. Stroll along the Thames to sample the amazing variety of food and drink. 

But there’s more to do than just eating and shopping. Head to Leicester Square, which hosts the award-winning La Clique Cabaret show under a charming German-style spiegeltent.

For a completely different vibe in London, head over to Fraser Place Canary Wharf, where a 1,200 sq ice rink under a protective canopy allows skating under all weather conditions, accompanied by an adjacent bar and special DJ-themed nights.

When night falls, the Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival begins. Interactive installations by light artists transform the entire area into a glittering wonderland, filling you with joy as you soak in this unforgettable experience of winter in Europe.

Indeed, wherever you choose to go, winter in Europe will leave you with heartwarming memories that stay with you forever.