Christmas Markets before Italy?

Actually, Verona, Trento, and Bolzano all have great Christmas Markets.

You don't need to go to Germany for Christmas markets. Like the other comment- northern Italy will have some as well as Krakow there will be one. Depending how your traveling to Krakow it would make more sense to go to one in Austria which will be filled with them.

"How significant is the Christmas Markets experience?"

That depends entirely on whom you ask. :-)

All guide books rave about them, and there are lots of bus tour agencies who practically subsist on them.

I personally could do perfectly well without them - o.k., they are nice, and I don't mind visiting one once a year, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit one. Many are very similar, and malicious people might even say "If you've seen one, you've seen them all".

There are some however that are somewhat special, like having only local booths, or with special arts and crafts, not just your run-of-the-mill touristy "made in China" kitsch. It might be worthwhile looking for those more special ones.

Thanks, Anna. That's some of what I've been looking for. With the suggestions to visit Christmas Markets in other countries, I started to wonder if there's any value to going to one in Germany, where they originated from.

I personally would not go so much for the shopping, but for the experience and the atmosphere.

Perhaps my focus should be on planning the trip for smarter movement geographically. For example Rome, up through Italy, Germany, then Poland, versus jumping north and south so much in 2 weeks.

I have to add that what I said goes only for the German Christmas markets. I have never been to a Christmas market in Italy or Poland, so I can't compare.

"Perhaps my focus should be on planning the trip for smarter movement
geographically. For example Rome, up through Italy, Germany, then
Poland, versus jumping north and south so much in 2 weeks."

Yes, I would agree to that. Or really skip one of those countries entirely. Two weeks isn't exactly a whole lot for those distances, especially considering you are moving north and south of the Alps, and weather conditions can be unpredictable at that time of year and affect all means of transportation.

Since your focus seems to be on Italy, and Krakow is important to your daughter, why don't you just save Germany for a later trip. I personally wouldn't want Germany to be remembered only for its Christmas markets. :-)

Hi I wanted to add my opinion above the negative people. Christmas markets in Germany IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST DO!!!. The markets there have a special vibe including the best mulled wine, beer, parties and overall quality and Christmas spirit. Last year we flew from Paris to Munich just for the markets and it ended up being a highlight of the trip. Flights are cheap. Definitely come to Krakow for New Years eve if you are going to come. I am living there now and it is my favorite European city for a lot of reasons. I have been everywhere in Europe and while Rome is a close second, Krakow has a special vibe. Please, do yourself a favor, go to the Christmas markets in germany, and bring your daughter to Krakow for New Years eve. There are also very nice markets here as well.

sincerely,

A fellow traveler