BBC: Luxembourg’s Winterlights Capture the True Spirit of Christmas

A family from Australia, long accustomed to celebrating Christmas in the summer heat, set out on a European winter holiday in search of the traditional festive charm they had always imagined. After travelling by train across seven countries and eight cities—from London and Mainz to Prague and Budapest—they finally found the Christmas magic they were hoping for in Luxembourg City.

Their journey included sampling local treats such as potato pancakes in Mainz, klobása in Prague, and lángos in Budapest, along with plenty of warm drinks, including Nuremberg’s famous Feuerzangenbowle. But the dream of cosy Christmas markets was frequently overshadowed by overcrowded tourist hotspots. The family abandoned the London markets due to overwhelming crowds and described Prague’s Old Town Square as “more suffocating than festive.”

Everything changed when they reached Luxembourg.

In a BBC travel feature, the family described the Grand Duchy as the highlight of their entire trip—a peaceful, beautifully lit city that offered winter magic without the chaos. They praised the Winterlights festival for its warmth and atmosphere, spread across several charming locations, each offering room to explore and enjoy.

Luxembourg won them over with:

• Glistening streets and thoughtfully decorated wooden chalets
• Friendly vendors and plenty of cosy seating
• Easy access thanks to the free panoramic lift linking upper and lower parts of the city
• Local favourites like Kniddelen, Gromperekichelcher and crémant

For the family, Luxembourg was the only destination where they could truly slow down and enjoy the festive season—proving that sometimes the smallest places deliver the biggest Christmas magic.
BBC: Seven countries, one winner: The best Christmas market in Europe - BBC Travel