There is something undeniably festive about Europe’s major cities during the run up to Christmas, and whether you are looking for a romantic weekend or a girly shopping trip, the likes of Paris, Vienna, London and Milan will not disappoint.

With just six weeks to go (sorry!) until Santa squeezes his way down our chimneys, the Christmas shopping frenzy has already begun, and if you haven’t heard the first tinkling of Jingle Bells yet, just wait till you head out shopping this weekend!

Christmas is a magical time of year in Europe’s cities, and you don’t have to celebrate the religious event to take part in the fun. So, if you fancy a winter break somewhere festive but freezing, here are our Top 5 European Cities for a Winter Break and the reasons we think you should visit them:

Munich, Germany

A great city to visit at any time of the year, Munich is pretty, fun, and during the festive season there is the world-famous Christkindlmarkt where you can buy arts and crafts, roasted chestnuts, and my particular festive favourite – Glühwein!

Barcelona, Spain

The stunning city of Barcelona is less crowded during the months of November and December, and so it’s a great time to visit.  Great hotels, stunning architecture, endless shopping, and delicious tapas make this city the perfect choice for your winter getaway.

Prague, Czech Republic

Famous for its renaissance styled architecture, Prague is an elegant city steeped in History. During the winter months, the shops are beautifully decorated in sparkling lights, there is a Christmas Market at Prague Castle, and you can spend your days doing nothing more than wondering around admiring the view and indulging in the delicious local delicacies of Trdelnik and Berherovka – and of course beer, lots of beer!

London, England

Well, I couldn’t possibly leave London off this list!  A gorgeous city, it really comes alive at Christmas time when the streetlights sparkle, the carol-singers are out in force, and you can ice-skate at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Don’t forget to pop into Harrods – you might not be able to afford anything in there, but the Christmas décor is breathtaking.

Paris, France

Whether it deserves its title as the most romantic city in the world… well, that depends whom you go with! But Paris is certainly very pretty and a great place to spend a winter weekend. The food is worth the trip alone, and if you fancy treating yourself to a little couture, there is no better place on earth!