Roll up, roll up, for the best places on the Continent to buy gifts and enjoy the lights at a traditional festive market

Christmas markets seem to be getting more popular by the year, judging by the number of you who read last year's guide.

This year we have new additons from Luxembourg, the Netherlands and elsewhere, while the old stalwarts Germany and France are still well represented.
And, of course, each has an offer to get you there, sourced from a wide range of tour companies and online travel agents.
Tallinn, Nov 29 - Jan 7: the Estonian capital will host its 8th Christmas market since the tradition was revived in post-Soviet times. The picturesque Town Hall Square is said to be the site of the world’s first Christmas tree, which formed part of a ritual begun in 1441, when unmarried merchants sang and danced with the town's girls around a tree, which they then burned. Organisers expect 200,000 visitors this year and no tree burning.

* Regent Holidays has three nights in a three-star hotel from £333pp including Gatwick flights and a walking tour

GERMANY
More German market information

Berlin, Nov 23 - Dec 31: Germany is the classic Christmas markets destination, and there are hundreds to choose from. with around 60 in the capital alone, the most popular being at Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche attracting upwards of four million visitors a year. Other notable locations include the Charlottenburg Castle and WeihnachtsZauber on Gendarmenmarkt.

* Times Selects has four days and three nights breaks from £339 by plane, staying in a 4-star hotel and including a city tour and transfers

Cologne, Nov 27 - Dec 23: There are six Christmas markets in Cologne, the largest taking place at Neumarkt, with smaller ones including a medieval affair near the Lindt chocolate museum and one that takes place on a boat on the Rhine.

* Great Rail Journeys has a four-day break by train, including three nights in a four-star hotel and a Rhine Gorge cruise from £445

Nuremberg, Nov 27 - Dec 24: Nuremberg is the biggest and perhaps the best in Germany. Gingerbread is a speciality of the region, so get your finest Hansel and Gretel garb on and feast on that and the speciality sausage - Nuremberger bratwursts.