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22.12.2023 - 10:21 / travelpulse.com / Patrick Clarke
The most festive time of year is now and with just under two weeks left before the end of 2023, time is running out to explore some of the world's very best Christmas markets.
The travel insurance specialists at InsureandGo recently revealed the Christmas markets around the world seeing the biggest spikes in interest compared to previous years. The research looked at Google search data, to find which markets have seen the biggest increase in searches versus the same period last year.
Here's a look at how the top 10 breaks down for 2023.
Seattle's Christmas market is booming in terms of popularity this holiday season, with a 650 percent increase in searches since 2022.
The authentic European Christmas Village can be found in Seattle Center through December 24.
Belgrade's bustling Knez Mihailova Street is as festive as it gets at the moment, boasting plentiful Christmas decorations and vendors of all sorts.
The Serbian Christmas market has seen a whopping 387 percent increase in searches since last year.
Unsurprisingly, European Christmas markets feature heavily in the top 10. Held in the Town Hall Square, the top attraction of the Tallinn Christmas Market in Estonia is the Christmas tree, which has been set up here since 1441, making it the first Christmas tree ever to be put on display in Europe.
The Christmas markets in Gdańsk have been recognized with second place in the Best Christmas Markets competition this year so it comes as no surprise that they've seen a 175 percent increase in searches.
The beautiful port city comes to life for the holiday season with spectacular lights, decorations and a pair of life-size nutcrackers in Mr. and Mrs. Orzechowski.
Recognized as the Greenest City in the World, Ljubljana puts on quite a show in December. Visitors to this stellar Christmas market can shop for handmade gifts, snack on traditional foods and drinks and take part in cultural events, open-air concerts and other performances.
The city also boasts an impressive light display designed by artist Zmago Modic.
The Texas Christkindl Market has been an Arlington tradition since 2011. The market has been inspired by its sister city in Königshofen, Germany. The free, family-friendly attraction takes place at Globe Life Field daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through December 23.
Visitors to Antwerp, Belgium will discover Christmas markets throughout the city. Highlights include a Ferris wheel and an ice-skating rink, among other attractions. What's more, holiday revelers can shop and take part in European tradition with a glass of glühwein and tasty Belgian Speculoos cookies.
Tokyo boasts a slew of exciting Christmas markets but the largest in Hibiya is supported by the German Embassy and features a 46-foot-tall Christmas
The world's most powerful passports for 2024 have been revealed — with the biggest shake-up in rankings we've seen in several years, including a never-before-seen six nations in first place.
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In Strasbourg, France, throughout the holiday season, Santa-capped teddy bears festoon a restaurant’s facade. Stuffed polar bears adorn another. In a Yuletide arms race, buildings are affixed with giant, gift-wrapped packages, glittering white deer and oversize gingerbread men. Turning the central medieval quarter into a Christmas maze, curtains of lights glow above cobblestone lanes lined with food and gift stalls. And in the central Place Kléber, lights on a nearly 100-foot-tall Christmas tree flash and glow, synchronized to carols.
From a Texas-shaped lazy river that glows with holiday lights to bare trees swaddled in colorful lights at botanic gardens, unexpected destinations around the country turn into illuminated winter wonderlands this time of year. If you’re looking to see some of the most magnificent holiday lights displays between now and the New Year, a new study from SmokyMountains.com shows the top-rated lights in the country as well as the highest-rated lights attractions broken down by state.