Europe at Christmas transforms into a happy hive of activity as markets spring to life in every town and market square From charming villages to great cultural centres, you can look forward to the hum and buzz of Christmas, as treats and toys, charms and trinkets of every description come out in a joyful display. This is a tradition that has changed very little across the centuries. In many places, the delicacies and decorations still take a very traditional form, and you’d be forgiven for wondering whether you’ve somehow stepped back in time with the ‘Ghost of Christmas Past’.