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CHRISTMAS

Vienna voted Europe’s third best Xmas market

European culture organization "Best European Destinations" announced this week the results of voting for Europe's best Christmas market, based on the opinions of its voters, placing Vienna's markets as third best.

Published: 11 December 2014 17:11 CET
Vienna voted Europe's third best Xmas market
Photo: APA

Nearly 72,000 people voted online in the competition, which included 15 participating locations around Europe.

The market city locations were evaluated based on their popularity, value for money and all-round Christmas spirit.

The winner for 2015 was the French border town of Strasbourg, which took 23.4 percent of the votes (16,759), well ahead of second place Aachen, in Germany, which had 13,465 votes.

Austria takes third place with Vienna's many memorable Christmas markets, including the grand daddy of them all, in front of the town hall, at the Rathausplatz.  With 10,242 votes, Vienna impressed its visitors with its diversity and great atmosphere.

One Viennese visitor said "The Christmas market in Vienna is a dream for children, for adults, for lovers, singles, or families : there's something for everyone."

A new market in 2014 is Pink Christmas, Vienna's first exclusively LGBT Christmas Market.  Vienna has been boosting its attractiveness for the gay and lesbian tourist experience, showcasing the city's many gay-friendly establishments. 

Other visitors love the dream-like experience of Vienna.  "I have never been to Vienna before, I have never visited its Christmas market, but I have just seen pictures of it. I dream of going there one day, skate for two hours on the beautiful ice rink, drink hot chocolate and then slip in my bed, and go back again on the next day."

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CHRISTMAS

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

A significant increase in families have sought Christmas help from the Danish Red Cross compared to last winter.

Published: 2 December 2022 18:15 CET
Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

Higher process for food, electricity, gas and fuel are being felt by vulnerable families in Denmark, driving more to apply for Christmas packages offered by the Red Cross, broadcaster DR writes.

The NGO said in a statement that more people than ever before have applied for its Christmas help or julehjælp assistance for vulnerable families.

While 15,000 people applied for the charity last year, the number has already reached 20,000 in 2022.

“We are in an extraordinary situation this year where a lot more people have to account for every single krone to make their finances work,” Danish Red Cross general secretary Anders Ladekarl said in the press statement.

“For many more, their finances no longer work, and this is unfortunately reflected by these numbers,” he said.

The Red Cross Christmas assistance consists of a voucher worth 900 kroner redeemable at Coop stores or, in some stores, a hamper consisting of products.

READ ALSO: These are Denmark’s deadlines for sending international mail in time for Christmas

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