Mulled wine is a favorite beverage at Christmas markets. It smells of cinnamon and cloves and warms cold hands. It's typically made from red wine, but there are rosé and white wine versions, too.

It’s just not Christmas without it: Stollen from Dresden, home of Germany’s oldest Christmas market. Ingredients such as almonds, raisins and other goodies give this sweet yeasty pastry its special flavor.

On first glance, it looks like a construction site. But it’s part of a modern villa. In Paphos on Cyprus, architect Andreas Vardas has built a home using 360 concrete pipes.

Rolf Vogt of Lower Saxony doesn’t skimp when it comes to his Christmas lights. He’s spent over 150,000 euros to cover his house in Calle with over half a million colored lights on 4.3 kilometers of cables.

"Aachener Printen", a type of gingerbread pastry is flavored with aniseed, cloves and cinnamon - for many the quintessential taste of Christmas. The pastry is the hottest selling item at the Christmas market in Aachen.

Head to the Swiss town to see some of the finest Christmas decorations the country has to offer. Enjoy a special Advent-themed guided tour through the town.

Window shopping at the big department stores in Paris, London, and Berlin immediately evokes the Christmas spirit. The display windows are presented like stage sets. Preparing them often takes all year.

The Polish town of Zakopane, situated amid the High Tatra Mountains, is ideal for skiing and tobogganing. The town is known for its traditional wooden houses and yummy cuisine.

With no prior experience, anyone can make their own skis and snowboards in one weekend in Garmisch-Partenkirchen’s workshops. The cores are prepared by experts. The participants design and make everything else.

Meet Christian Bau in the 3-star restaurant "Victor's Fine Dining" in Berg Castle in the Saarland. This top chef loves to combine Japanese food and French haute cuisine.