One of the largest outdoor Christmas market in the Netherlands is in the historical city of Dordrecht in South Holland. Unbeknownst to most people, Dordrecht is the first official Dutch city and the country's earliest trading port due to Dordrecht's strategic location at the intersection of key rivers.
Lady luck is on my side as my weekend visit to Dordrecht coincides with the Christmas market. The hour-long train ride from Den Haag was unusually packed to the brim with visitors clamoring for this once a year event.
Dordrecht Christmas market is only held for 3 days and featuring over 200 vendors selling traditional crafts, Christmas trinkets to seasonal snacks and food. I am really impressed by the quality of the products on offered as most stalls offer real, hand-made Christmas products and not mass produced junks.Our festive mood was also elevated several notches by the live performances of bands, choirs and mini orchestras.
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| Dordrecht Christmas Market |
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| Dordrecht Christmas Market |
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| Food & snacks sold in Dordrecht Christmas Market 2012 |
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| Skating Ring in Dordrecht Christmas Market |
We were also pleasantly surprised to discover a skating ring or 'Ice-rink' at the Scheffersplein. Scores of teenagers can be seen with bright orange colored skates enjoying the Dutch tradition of winter skating. There were also a large white tent erected beside the skating rink that serves creamy hot chocolate or 'glühwein'.
If you are in the Netherlands during Christmas season, do not miss the largest outdoor Christmas Market in Dordrecht.
Check out more details about Dordrecht Christmas Market:
http://www.holland.com/us/Tourism/Activities/Events-in-Holland/December-1/Dordrecht-Christmas-Market.htm
www.kerstmarktdordrecht.nl (Dutch website only)
Thx for this travel advice. Maybe next year.
ReplyDeleteMerry X-mas!
Merry Christmas A-man,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and reading the post. Unfortunately, you can only visit it next year.
Denise