See Europe's Christmas markets with short breaks by train

One of the best ways to explore continental Europe is by rail as it allows you to sit back and enjoy watching the scenery roll by.

And with countries such as France, Germany and Belgium on our doorstep, Europe is the ideal place to head for short breaks by train.

If you want to combine spectacular scenery with visits to bustling cities and picturesque villages then rail breaks are the perfect way to enjoy all that Europe has to offer in a relaxing environment.

One of the best times of year to visit the continent if you are after some retail therapy is in the winter. This is when the cities and towns of countries such as Germany, Austria and Belgium come alive with the Christmas markets.

As well as buying plenty of presents and trinkets to take home for the festive season, you will be able to get into the spirit of the holiday on your journey.

There are numerous different options if you want to visit the Christmas markets by rail and you may need to start thinking now if you are to make up your mind in time to catch your train!

One of the classic Christmas destinations is Germany and you will not be disappointed by what you find in its beautiful cities.

For snow-capped mountains and vast forests, head south to Bavaria and Munich where you will be able to sample delights such as gluhwein and stollen as you browse the market stalls.

The arts and crafts you can pick up are sure to make for interesting gifts come Christmas morning, but a rail break to Bavaria in winter would not be complete without a visit to at least one of the area's castles.

Nestled in snowy surroundings, the fairytale designs of these buildings will leave you spellbound.

Another German city that is popular at Christmas time is Cologne. Situated on the banks of the Rhine, it is a beautiful city with much to offer at any time of year.

But during December, you will have a chance to experience some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

The city hosts six in all, with one of them located on board a cruise ship on the River Rhine for a truly unforgettable shopping experience.

Belgium is another country that lights up during the festive period. The markets in Brussels and Bruges are surrounded by striking architecture, made all the more magical by the yuletide celebrations taking place in the streets.

Bruges is renowned for its chocolate, so a visit to the historic city would not be complete without sampling some of the local sweets. And you are bound to find plenty of treats on sale at its Christmas market - so you can share the delicacies with your friends and family once you are back home.

France and Austria also offer a host of opportunities for Christmas shopping and sightseeing - you could even spend an hour gliding around on one of the outdoor ice rinks that are set up in cities across Europe at this time of year.

But if journeys by rail in Europe seem too far to go, then you can always stay a little closer to home.

Edinburgh is a fantastic city to visit during December. As well as enjoying a German market that sets up in this part of Scotland each year, you can also wander around a traditional Highland market for some mementos of your Scottish break.

You can enjoy some of the culture that Edinburgh offers - such as its museums - and take a trip to Glasgow to experience another Scottish city in the festive period.

Of course, no matter what time of year you head north of the border you should take the time to enjoy a distillery tour and Christmas is no different!

You could find that a bottle of whisky from the Edradour distillery puts a smile on someone's face when they unwrap it on Christmas morning.

Scotland's mountains and lochs make it a beautiful country to visit and in the winter, the dusting of snow will make the scenery even more dramatic and provide the perfect backdrop to your short break by train.