For those who like the Christmas Markets, I had some extra time tonight and thought I would update my Christmas Market post after adding to list this past holiday season. I know, I know - Christmas is 344 days away, but I was bored. So, here's my nerdy update:

GERMANY

Stuttgart – One of the biggest, if not the biggest. Among the better markets, and they have a contest to decorate the roofs of the booths, which is kinda fun. However, Stuttgart as a city is pretty forgettable – but the Mercedes Benz museum is cool.

Esslingen am Neckar – One of my favorites. In a picturesque village outside of Stuttgart, with the Christmas Market among the medieval half-timbered buildings, There's also a medieval market, which is cool. The only drawback is that it can be shoulder to shoulder due to its popularity and proximity to Stuttgart. I would recommend either going early or staying in Esslingen.

Nuremberg – The original, quintessential Christmas Market – although some would argue that’s Rothenburg OdT (don't know, I haven't been there during the market). It is just about perfect size, and not too overwhelming. When I went, it was definitely crowded, but not claustrophobic. There is also a lot of cool stuff to see in Nuremberg itself.

Frieburg im Breisgau – I thought this one would be better, but it is pretty small and forgettable compared to the others in Germany. Basically a much smaller version of Stuttgart. Although if you choose to visit the markets in the Alsace in France, it’s only about an hour away.

AUSTRIA

Vienna – Vienna has a few. I have been to the one downtown, and the other at Schönbrunn Palace, both of which are nice and upscale. I wouldn't travel just for the markets in Vienna (I think the Germany ones are better), but Vienna does have a certain magic at Christmas time.

Salzburg – I would definitely recommend the Salzburg market. It’s actually several markets tied together within the inner city, with lots of selection and several different areas. And like Vienna when you get tired of the market, Salzburg is still there and is a really cool town. Just around the corner from Berchtesgaden.

Innsbruck – Innsbruck is okay. Sorta like Salzburg, but smaller, with a handful of artisans from the Dolomites as well.

ITALY

Bolzano – In my opinion, this is pound for pound the best Christmas market in Europe. Not huge (maybe 50 booths), but the vendors are great, with a lot of handmade stuff. I like Bolzano because every booth seems different. Bolzano is also a great town, and very near some of the most beautiful areas of the Dolomites. For example, just 35 minutes to the east is Val de Funes. If you are a winter sports type, you are also near world class-skiing and snowboarding, and even plenty of great sledding hills.

Bressanone – Of National Lampoon's European Vacation fame where Clark Griswold starts the huge fight (yep, not Bavaria). A small, but good little market. The town is lovely as well, and just over the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck. Also, a much cheaper place to stay than other towns in the Dolomites.

Vipiteno – A small market, not unlike Bressanone, but a bit further off of the beaten path in a smaller town with a distinctive clock tower which they light up. While a nice little town, I wouldn’t recommend this one, unless you have extra time and have already been to Bolzano, Bressanone and Ortisei.

Ortisei – A small little local market, but there is nowhere in the world you will find anything like this one. Ortisei’s claim to fame is not only world class skiing (they usually hold a World Cup event there every year), but as the hub of alpine wood carving. If you think you have seen nice wood carving in places like Oberammergau, it doesn’t even compare to the stuff coming out of Ortisei. Basically you get the alpine/Tyrolian sensibility in the carvings with the detail and artistic skill only found in somebody with Italian blood coursing through their veins. Not to mention, Ortesei is just a stunning town. And maybe you can pick up a little Ladin while you are there!

Venice – Claims they have a Christmas market, but I have yet to see one. I have been in Venice the past three Decembers, and the closest thing to a Christmas Market I have found is when the South Asian guys put Christmas lights on their trinket stalls. Worth it for Venice, as December it is largely devoid of the tourist wave, but certainly not worth it for the markets (which I still haven’t found).

Verona – Skip this one as well. A few decent booths, but mostly cheap junk and consumer goods. However, Verona is an awesome town and worth your time in and of itself.

Como – A fairly large market given the size of the town. Decent booths and lots of food. Also a lot of music and the projections on the cathedral in the town square are great. Plus, it's Lake Como!

Milan – After this past Christmas, I have changed my mind a bit on the market in Milan – it is getting better. Certainly above average. And its location is spectacular, held right downtown in the square with the Duomo and the Galleria with a giant Swarovski Christmas tree as well as a giant tree in the square. One of the best parts of the Milan market is all of the food available. This past year the olives and cured meats were to die for.

Rome – After watching Rick Steves’ Christmas special, I had such high hopes for this one. Especially since it’s 20-40 degrees warmer than some of the other locations. So we made the trek to Piazza Navona with great expectations, and we were summarily disappointed. Basically it’s like a carnival with a few stalls selling plastic nativities. On one side you can buy a plastic Baby Jesus, and on the other you can shoot a pop gun and win a stuffed camel to go along with him in your new nativity. That said, the lights all over Rome are fun, and the vibe is very festive. Plus, dude – you’re in Rome. If you don’t like the market, I am sure you can find something else to do/see.

FRANCE

Strasbourg – In fairness, I was in Strasbourg a few days after the terrorist attack on the market, so that may have dimmed the Christmassy glow. But for me, it was certainly not the “Capitale de Noël” as it is billed. It was just too spread out. There was one little market, however, that I thought was particularly good. It is located right on the edge of the downtown at Place Broglie. The food was good, but the market was basically closing up by 7:00pm. However, Strasbourg is a beautiful city, but I just wanted to be there in the summer.

Colmar – Christmas market aside, Colmar is one of the most delightful cities in France, if not Europe. Like a small Strasbourg with even more character. Also, Colmar was the home of Bartholdi who designed the Statue of Liberty. Somewhat like Salzburg, the markets are linked together and wind through the pedestrian area of the city which is lined with medieval half-timbered houses. When I was there, it wasn’t too crowded, and the food in the market was great – Christmas crepes! And on the subject of food, one of my favorite restaurants on the planet is in Colmar. Definitely worth it, but like Strasbourg, it closes early.

Riquewihr – A small, picturesque village not far from Colmar on the Alsatian wine route. The Christmas market was a retread of everything we saw in Colmar, but the village is beautiful even in the winter. My biggest problem with the Alsatian markets is that the environs are so beautiful that you just wish you were there in the summer or fall.

HUNGARY

Budapest – If you're headed this far east, it's definitely worth it. The markets are quite good, but basically the same stuff at the two major locations (one at Vörösmarty Square and the other at Szent István Square in front of the basilica). Budapest bills itself as having something like or eight or ten markets. But other than the one by the basilica, the other four or five, or whatever, are in the same general vicinity as the Vörösmarty market. Other than the booths, there is lots of great food and tons of lights all over. I went again this past December (my 5th time to those markets), and it just gets better. Budapest is also an awesome city with tons to do, so outside of the markets, there is plenty to keep you busy.