WE LOVE: five European city trips to the perfect places to be this Christmas

Christmas is coming! Do you love Christmas? Do you put your Christmas tree up early November? Do you even hum Christmas songs in the summer? Then pack your suitcase and jingle all the way to one of these cities to enjoy the ultimate Christmas experience.

London
London is a hugely popular city and with good reason of course! If you don't mind crowds, it's the ideal destination. Christmas shopping, ice skating, a 20-metre tall Christmas tree, charming Christmas markets and spectacular views of the city from the London Eye: London has it all! And when you're ready to take a break from the Christmas festivities, you can visit one of London's many free museums, or try to spot Harry and Meghan at Kensington Palace. (While you still can, because they're moving out in January!) Have fun!

Berlin 
Strolling around the many Christmas markets, enjoying a mug of Glühwein (of course, because you're in Germany!) and shopping in its veritable Valhalla of shops. Berlin has everything you need for a cosy Christmas trip. Just like in many other big cities, there are plenty of places where you can ice skate here. But did you know that you can also toboggan and sled in Berlin? You can have a go in the Volkspark am Weinbergsweg and in the Mauerpark. And you can also try your hand at EisstockschieBen (a type of curling game) while you’re here too. If sport's not your thing, how about enjoying gorgeous views of the beautifully illuminated city over cocktails at the Monkey Bar on the 10th floor of the hip 25hours Hotel? Viel Spass!

Paris 
The city of light. We're talking about Paris, naturellement! Visit the cosy Christmas market at the Eiffel Tower where you can enjoy the dazzling hourly light show. It's just like a big Christmas tree! And make sure you put the highest Christmas market in Paris on your to-do list. You'll find it at the Sacré Cœur, which is lit up magically during the holiday season. Once you've bought your typical Christmas souvenirs at one of the Christmas markets, you can go chic and visit La Fayette, Printemps or Bon Marché. Believe us, these fancy department stores are an absolute feast for the eyes. Under the Art Deco dome of the La Fayette department store, there's a huge, colourful Christmas tree that attracts thousands of tourists every year. Will you be one of them? Enjoy!

Antwerp 
An enormous illuminated Ferris wheel, a light show in the zoo, loads of winter pop-up bars, a slide you can sled down on an inner tube and a 1200m2 ice rink. You name it, Antwerp has it, and there's lots on offer during the Christmas season. Since you're in the country that makes the best chocolate in the world, you really should visit Chocolate Nation, an innovative, immersive museum filled with sensory experiences. You can end your trip to Antwerp with a lovely Christmas thought by leaving your Christmas wishes on the interactive wall on the Steenplein. Cross your fingers, and maybe your wish will come true!

Copenhagen
Put on your hat and mittens and get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to this winter wonderland where there's some delicious Gløgg waiting for you! Now, we can hear you thinking, 'Gløgg? What's that?' It's the Danish version of mulled wine and you have to try it! This festive trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to one of Copenhagen's many Christmas markets. The most famous of them all is Tivoli, a (theme) park that's totally transformed into a fairy tale Christmas market every year. They even have real reindeer! Have you already packed your selfie stick? Hav det sjovt!

Which city will it be? Don't forget to take photos of all those lovely Christmas moments so that you can relive your beautiful memories with an IXXI Mini. And have a look at the pretty Art in Maps collection and find your favourite city.