With the festive season almost upon us and winter nights a reality, many minds turn to roaring fireplaces, snow-capped piazzas and mulled wine in some of Europe’s most beautiful historic towns.

Christmas markets have long been a winter highlight across the continent, with Belgium a traditional favourite.

With rail links making Belgium reachable in a matter of hours from London’s St Pancras station, the nation’s weekend marketplaces are one of the easiest to access. The cities of Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Mechelen and Ostend all offer annual Christmas markets and let us not forget the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival held each year in Bruges’ stationplein.

Belgian market stalls usually are teaming with seasonal drink and food along with traditional handicrafts and decorations all amidst a special festival atmosphere. The winter celebrations also feature a range of activities for the whole family such as fireworks, amusements, ice-rinks, music concerts and special performances.

This year’s Plaisirs d’Hiver and annual Christmas market in Brussels will showcase the Electrabel Nights at the Grand Palace. The Electrabel spectacular is a light, video and sound show which illuminates and electrifies the stunning architectural theatre of the Palace. The event will also include street performers, choir groups, brass bands and parades. The Ghent festival also features Christmas carols, an ice-rink, jazz, folk and rock music shows.

Elsewhere in Europe, traditional Christmas markets and celebrations can be found most notably in Reims where the tradition dates back to 496 A.D and in the Estonian capital of Tallinn which revived the festivities after the fall of the Soviet empire.