Whirl through Europe

For Christmas markets
Cologne
Journey time: 4hr 59min (4hr 29min from Dec 13)
Germany’s fourth largest city boasts six Christmas markets, running from Nov 23. Sip gluhwein (mulled wine), munch on wurst (German sausages) and lebkuchen (ginger biscuits) and browse the 160 stalls in front of the stunning Cologne Cathedral. Adjourn to Alter Markt, backed by picturesque gabled houses, for the traditional toy stalls and Santa Claus’ grotto. Besides the market, there are also more than 30 art galleries and many breweries dedicated to serving kolsch, a light beer that can only be made in the Cologne area.

For beer
Bruges
Journey time: 3hr 20min
This Belgian city has a quirky subculture beneath its picture-perfect streets. ’t Brugs Beertje on Kemelstraat 5 (www.brugsbeertje.be) serves plates of salami alongside several hundred beers. The one remaining brewery in the city is De Halve Maan (www.halvemaan.be), which offers tours, or try lunch at Den Dijver (www.dijver.be), where dishes are flavoured by or cooked in beer. And check out Chocolaterie Sukerbuyc in Katelijnestraat (www.sukerbuyc.be), one of only two places in the city that still make chocolates by hand.

 

For more, get a copy of Female November 09 out on newsstands now, or subscribe to Female