A woman has revealed how she went to 12 Christmas markets in just 72 hours – and it cost her less than £100 a day.
Hayley Merconi visited European hotspots Austria, Bratislava and Prague in a space of the long weekend.
And with flights from London to Vienna costing as little as £36, the 45-year-old mum, from Preston, certainly did it on a budget.
Travelling with her son Jamie, sister-in-law Terri, nieces Huni and Maya, and pal Kristyn, Hayley even managed to bag acommodation for under £65 per person.
“We went to 12 Christmas markets, went ice skating, rode ferris wheels and went to an opera, which was phenomenal,” Hayley told Luxury Travel Daily.
“[We] took a horse drawn carriage through the centre, saw the Christmas Krampus and drank lots of Glühwein.”
Day one involved a direct, two-hour flight from London to Vienna in Austria.
The family rented an apartment for two nights in the centre close to Rathaus, and spent the whole of the first day and night enjoying all the city had to offer.
She said: “From Vienna we travelled by train and it cost less than €12 per person for a round trip to Bratislava in Slovakia.
“We caught an early train, taking just over an hour, and soaked up the incredible city for the full day.
“Then we caught a late train back to our apartment in Vienna.”
On the third and final day, Hayley took a second train to Prague in the Czech Republic.
She said: “The following day was an early start.
“We caught the train to Prague and we only booked one way as we had two nights in Prague.
“The trip took around four and a half hours.
“There are private family cabins and a restaurant on the train.”
Hayley said if anyone is looking to experience the European Christmas markets this year, this route comes highly recommended.
She added: “It’s is really difficult to determine which city we liked the best.
“They are all absolutely stunning but so very different in many ways.
“Vienna was bustling there was so much for the children to do.
“The Christmas markets are the most famous and most visited in Europe, there are so many in Vienna city.
“The biggest being Rathaus with over 200 stalls, a huge ice skate rink and a ferris wheel.
“The markets themselves are beautifully lit and come alive at night.
“Bratislava was more traditional, like Munich we got to see Krampus make an appearance.
“Much smaller but a lot more authentic especially when it came to the incredible food and traditional costume.
“Prague I think architecturally speaking gets my vote.
“The markets are huge and Prague I think, boasted my favourite Christmas tree close to the clock tower.
“We have had the absolute best time.”
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