Christmas Markets
Homes & Property, Evening Standard, 30th November 2007Feeling the strain of Christmas? Head to Europe’s festive markets to find some perfect presents and bag a second home into the bargain, says Cathy Hawker
Throughout December the streets of cities across the Continent erupt into fairy light-fuelled festivities as Santa Claus - and his army of stallholders - comes to town with cinnamon-sprinkled gingerbread and lashings of glühwein to spice up the shopping experience.
Shoppers prepared to cross the Channel are spoiled for choice with markets from Calais to Prague. In Zurich, for example, the main railway station becomes Europe’s largest indoor Christmas market, while in the Belgian city of Antwerp, stalls fill the Grote Market close to the medieval cathedral.
Each market has its own specialities but most focus on festive food and drink, decorations and the work of local artisans. Ice-skating rinks, fireworks and fairground rides help to make the big markets a family-friendly experience.
Here are four of the best with nearby property for sale, in case you want to buy something rather more expensive than just a few Christmas-tree baubles.
Brussels
Brussels, the European city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants, is now less than two hours from London on the high-speed Eurostar, and with ticket prices starting from £59 return, it is no longer just business people and Eurocrats who travel there.
"Belgium has seen a real renaissance with travellers," says Tom Parker of Eurostar. "Antwerp is a fashion centre, with great restaurants and bars, while Gent and Bruges are popular weekend destinations." Once you have a ticket to Brussels all onward travel within Belgium is free.
From 2 December to 1 January the Place St Catherine in Brussels, close to the city’s bustling fish market, becomes a winter wonderland with ice-skating and a colourful fairground. Seasonal delicacies include Italian hams, French olives and, of course, plenty of those wickedly rich Belgian chocolates. (European Christmas Market in Brussels).
Irish developer Thornsett Group is marketing several projects in the Belgian capital, including the contemporary Leopold Village in the European quarter. This is a mixed-use project opposite the Council of Ministers building on Rue Belliand, featuring with 5,000sq ft of retail space and 108 apartments. Prices start at €140,000 (£97,800) for a compact studio and €265,000 (£185,200) for two bedrooms. The project is due for completion in autumn 2009.
Ixelles, east of the centre, is popular with a younger crowd who appreciate the Art Nouveau buildings. Thornsett is selling 28 off-plan apartments at Boniface Square, within a mile of the European Parliament, with prices from €225,000 (£157,200) for a one-bedroom flat. Externally the apartments will be in keeping with the surrounding early 20th century buildings but interiors will be contemporary.
The property market in Brussels has grown steadily over the past 10 years, with average prices between €232 (£162) and €465 (£319) a square foot. Rental yields are solid, particularly around the European Parliament buildings, and there is no tax to pay on residential rental income of privately owned property. Buying in Belgium is not cheap though: purchase tax is 12.5 per cent and VAT on buildings less than two years old is 21 per cent.