The picturesque medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany, has Christmas markets that date back to the 15th century. The Bavarian city's gabled roofs and cobblestone streets dusted with snow and strung with fairy lights are a magical backdrop for enjoying mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The North Italian town of Bressanone, also known as Brixen, has a gorgeous medieval city center that is more than 1,000 years old. Visitors can shop for handmade Italian Christmas items at the market in Cathedral Square, see the Christmas crib exhibition, take in a musical light show, and enjoy carriage and carousel rides.

Bressanone-Brixen

Rovaniemi, Finland is known as "the official hometown of Santa Claus," and visitors to the charming Santa Claus Village can meet St. Nick himself, visit the post office, go to elf school at SantaPark, take a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride, or sleep beneath the Northern Lights in an igloo.

Rovaniemi

A world heritage site, the Christmas market in Bath, England, has more than 150 stalls of handmade goods, and is just a short walk from Royal Victoria Park. There is a 1,000-square-meter ice skating rink, a glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course, and the No. 1 Royal Crescent museum.

Bath

Enjoy a perfectly Scandinavian Christmas in Malmö, Sweden, where Santa Claus is greeted with aquavit (a spirit) and herring (a type of fish) by the fireplace instead of milk and cookies. The city's main square is decorated with festive holiday lights, four Christmas markets, holiday concerts, and window displays in more than 800 stores.

Malmö