THERE'S a Christmas market in Europe that has its very own floating ice rink on a canal – and you've probably never even heard of it.
Every year, Leiden in the Netherlands is transformed into a picturesque winter wonderland.
The award-winning Christmas Market covers the entire city, with attractions held outside Hooglandse Kerkgracht (a gothic church) and Garenmarktplein (a square in the city).
Known as Winter Wonder Weeks, the Christmas market was previously named the best in Europe in 2016.
The Christmas market spans across the entire town, with one of its most unique features being its floating ice rink.
Set on the Nieuwe Rijn (one of the city's canals), the floating ice rink will be open from December 9, 2023, until January 7, 2024.
Read More on Christmas Travel
SNOW WAY
Christmas market open for 55 days with ice skating path and toboggan run
CHRIST-MUST
German Christmas market on an island with 90 stalls only accessible via boat
Tickets onto the rink cost €9 (£7.85) per person, while add-ons like gloves and lockers are also available to purchase.
The floating ice rink is also home to a chalet where visitors can purchase hot and cold drinks.
There are plenty of other winter festivities too, including the House of Sinterklaas (the House of Saint Nicholas).
This year, Saint Nicholas will be sleeping and staying in the Waag, a local restaurant, along with several of his companions.
Most read in City breaks
PORT-U-GO
Portugal’s cheapest city has 96p pints, £10 hotels and huge outdoor waterpark
SNOW GOOD
Europe’s cheapest Christmas market – with free light shows and £2 mulled wine
GO SEA IT
Seaside city tipped for holiday greatness thanks to £23 hotels & cheap nightlife
BEER WE GO
Man flies to Dublin for £30 & goes to extreme lengths to avoid paying for hotels
Festive holidaymakers will be able to visit Santa Claus from November 25, 2023, until December 3, 2023, from 12pm until 5pm every day.
The Dutch city will also be home to a cosy Christmas Market, with over 90 wooden stalls selling homemade gifts, snacks, and warm drinks.in Leiden on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht.
Other attractions include the Christmas tattoo show, which will be returning for its 8th year.
The outdoor show will take place in Pieterskerkplein, one of the city's main squares, and will include musical performances.
The Christmas show will only be taking place on Saturday, December 9, 2023, so you will have to plan your winter trip accordingly.
KLM and easyJet operate direct flights from several UK airports to Amsterdam in the Netherlands, with prices starting from £28 for a one-way ticket in December.
Leiden is a 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, and it can also be reached on a 30-minute train from the city centre.
Hotels in the city are affordable in December.
Sun Online Travel have found an overnight stay at the City Hotel Rembrandt – a three-star hotel that's situated in the heart of the city.
Prices start from £54 for a double room, based on two people sharing a room.
This isn't the only unusual Christmas market in the Netherlands either, it is also home to a winter attraction set inside a cave.
Kerststad Valkenburg spans across the entire town, with one of its most unique features being its atmospheric caves.
While the caves were previously mined for their Marl, a type of rock used to make cement, they've become famous thanks to their picturesque Christmas markets.
For those holidaymakers who don't fancy heading abroad to visit a Christmas market, then you'll be relieved to know that there are some great festive attractions in the UK.
One of those is The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham, which is said to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany.
Read More on The Sun
BAD MUMS
I'm a secret school teacher – the shock mum we hate – it's NOT who you're thinking
NOT FINE
Motorists face £100 fines next month with new parking law introduced
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.
Source: Read Full Article