As winter comes to Austria and the Christmas season approaches it will be time for the Austrian Christmas Markets to open their doors again. The fragrance of clove and cinnamon, roasted apples and freshly baked goods will take you in and you might catch yourself quietly humming an old Christmas carol as you wander around the market stalls, warming your hands on a mug of mulled wine or punch… Starting November 17, the Christmas Market season starts in Vienna again. The essence of the Magic of Advent is the Christmas Market, which has enchanted old and young alike for 700 years. The aromas of candied fruits, cotton candy and other delicacies like Christmas punch and the aroma of roasted chestnuts (known as Maroni in Vienna), wafting around the small wooden stalls of the market, still retain their magical appeal. Market stalls offer a tasteful array of Christmas decorations, objets d’art, handicrafts and toys. At weekends during the Advent season, choirs from all over the world will perform the most beautiful Christmas songs in the Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall. The main Christmas Market in Austria‘ s capital city is held in front of Vienna’s City Hall, starting November 14th and running through to December 24th, from 9am to 9pm daily. On Christmas Eve visitors may still gather Christmas cheer until 5pm. More information is available on www.christkindlmarkt.at Four weeks prior to Christmas, the twinkling Christmas lights illuminate the Palace of Schönbrunn creating a romantic festive atmosphere. This market in its fabulous setting runs from November 21 until December 26. – daily from 10.00am-8.30pm; on Christmas Eve from 10am-4pm and on December 25. and 26. from 10.00am-6.00pm.