IF you fancy visiting Europe’s Christmas Markets this year, but yearn for something a little different then Jet2 City Breaks might just have the answer.
The holiday giant already flies festive fans to the annual famous markets in Vienna, Prague, Krakow and Berlin from Scotland.
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And today they have announced a brand new destination for all things Christmas – the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.
You can get there from either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports, with a flight to Vienna and a transfer over the border to take in the cobbled streets and stunning squares of Bratislava.
Considered something of a hidden gem, Bratislava is nestled along the Danube River, bordered by Austria and Hungary, and offers scenic landscapes including the famous Carpathian Mountains, culture and history and traditional cuisine.
Bratislava packs a real punch, with museums, castles, theatres and much, much more to uncover. It’s walkable, compact and, to top it all, very easy on the pocket.
The city has some fabulous architecture thanks to it’s past as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and also some more of the stark, brutalist communist style.
Bratislava Castle is perched on top of a hill, overlooking the pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town which is full of lively bars (don’t miss Sky Bar for sunset views) and cafes to enjoy a warming winter drink and home-cooked dishes.
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And when the magical markets come to town over the Christmas period the city lights up and transforms into a winter wonderland, ready to explore, enjoy and get your festive fix and then some.
The main Christmas Market in the Main Square opens on November 22 and runs until January 6, with dozens of stalls selling Christmas specialities, traditional Slovak and international cuisine, a large selection of Christmas gifts, as well as themed entertainment.
In Franciscan Square you find a nativity scene, along with a cultural programme of entertainment and on January 6 (a national holiday), a procession of the Three Magi will take place from the Castle down the Palisades to the medieval town centre that symbolises Jerusalem, reaching the Main Square which is transformed into Bethlehem where the Magi find the little King.
Take time to visit the tallest building in the city – the UFO Tower Observation Deck build on the 7th largest hanging bridge in the world. It has cracking views of the Danube and on clear days you can see for miles.
Christmas market packages are available to Bratislava from Edinburgh Airport from November 21-January 5 and from Glasgow Airport from November 28-December 22.
Flights will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays and customers will be able to choose from a selection of 4* hotels located in the heart of the city, giving them the chance to explore all that the charming destination has to offer.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “Christmas market breaks are continuing to grow in popularity, so we are delighted to be going on sale with a brand-new festive destination for Winter 24/25 from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports.
“Bratislava is a fantastic destination, and we are expecting these new Christmas market packages with Jet2CityBreaks to be very popular with both customers and independent travel agents.
“We are always listening and reacting to feedback from holidaymakers, and this latest expansion of our Christmas Markets programme from Scotland is just another example of that.
“With the addition of Bratislava to our Christmas Markets programme for Winter 24/25 from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports, customers are spoiled for choice when it comes to experiencing a European Christmas market this season.”
Jet2’s Christmas market packages are all ATOL Protected and come with included 10kg hand luggage and 22kg hold baggage. See jet2holidays.com/city-breaks/christmas-markets
