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I have my hometown of Chicago to thank for my love ofChristmas markets.

One of our favorite stops was Grand-Places central square.

Once again, the highlight of our day wasnt planned.

Aerial view of the Christmas Market Vienna, traditional market at Vienna Town Hall in December

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And if you have the stamina, I recommend traversing Belfry Towers 366 steps.

The entire journey took about five and a half hours.

These meals were a definite highlight.

A waffle shop stand in Brussels, Belgium

Allison Cacich

We circled back to two groupings of stalls more than once.

But the magnificent tree could be found at Place Kleber, the citys central square.

We walked up right as the light show was starting.

Brussels Town Hall and Tower Bar at the Brussels’ Christmas market

Allison Cacich

The stalls at the Christmas markets were beautiful and depicted different scenes some religious, some seasonal.

Still, we had our fill of mulled wine, stuffed pretzels, cheeses, jams, and macarons.

I also spotted a couple of buildings that looked like real-life gingerbread houses.

Buildings decorated with twinkling lights on a canal in Bruges, Belgium

Allison Cacich

The more intimate market in Munsterplatz looked like it was plucked straight from the pages of a storybook.

It was the first time I had been back in more than 10 years.

Ill never forget turning a street corner and seeing Rathausplatz in all of its glory.

Buildings on a canal in Bruges, Belgium

Allison Cacich

At the entrance, visitors walk through a giant advent wreath arch to a double-decker carousel.

To the left of the arch is an ice-skating rink with a canopy of fairy lights.

At the risk of sounding cliche, the whole scene took my breath away.

Homes and buildings on the Rhine Rive in Strasbourg, France

Allison Cacich

It became clear that Vienna is a must-see during Christmastime.

One thing I love about Chicagos Christkindlmarket is that each year brings a newly designedgluhweinmug.

For many Chicagoans, these mugs become collectors items.

The Christmas tree and Christmas market under Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France

Allison Cacich

On a blustery night, a cup of mulled wine was exactly what we needed.

But the castle isnt exactly easy to reach.

Though it was smaller than we were expecting, this Christmas market ended up being my favorite.

Christmas decorated streets of Colmar, France

Allison Cacich

For starters, the setting.

It was the most crowded market by far, but still somehow felt intimate.

The quality of the stalls is also top-notch.

A Christmas market in Colmar, France and a woman with a cup of mulled wine in front of a Christmas tree

Allison Cacich

Amanda and I also ventured outside the main square to explore the city.

A decorated street in Basel, Switzerland and Basel Minster

Allison Cacich

View of Belvedere Palace and grounds in Vienna, Austria

Allison Cacich

Ornaments hanging from the celling and the carrousel next to the entrance to the Rathausplatz Christkindlmarkt in Vienna, Austria

Allison Cacich

The Christmas market in Marienplatz, the main square, beneath the town hall in Munich, Germany

Allison Cacich

Scenic view of Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany

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Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt Christkindlesmarkt under Schöner Brunnen and buildings on a canal

Allison Cacich