Find a city's markets: farmer's, arts and crafts, holiday and more.

'Tis the season of the holiday markets, known in Europe as Christmas markets. They can be found in cities all over the world. 

I was just in New York City for Thanksgiving with family and stopped off at the Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair for a quick peek before catching a train upstate. This is the fourth year out of the past 10 that I've made it to one or another of New York's holiday markets.

Score! A velvety black scarf with a colorful, artistic pattern and a gold necklace, choker length. What do you mean, who am I buying them for? Me, of course.

The two other great holiday markets I've been to are the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park and the Union Square Holiday Market. There's one at Columbus Circle I've yet to explore.

We're talking hundreds of artisans and vendors. New York's markets are fashioned after the Northern European holiday markets that set up in public squares and piazzas. (Bring your scarf and mittens, even if you plan to buy more. It's usually cold out there.)

Markets of all kinds appeal to me as a solo traveler. They're good for people watching, buying unique local gifts and getting a sense of the locale and its residents.

I've sought them out in Saquisili and Otavalo, Ecuador, where I didn't recognize half the exotic fruits. (More on Ecuador here and here.) There was El Rastro, the flea market in Madrid. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. The leather stalls in Florence, Italy. And so many more. I'm itching to go shopping as we speak!

And right here in Washington, D.C., we have Eastern Market, the last of Washington's 19th century markets to remain in continuous operation. It has a flea market, a food market and arts and crafts and jewelry galore.

Then, there are the farmers markets at various locations in D.C. on Saturdays and Sundays. Gorgeous fruits and vegetables, fresh breads, jams, yarns, two-foot-long brussel sprout stalks with sprouts you twist off to cook. You name it.

I never feel alone at a market. I'm always surrounded by people and intrigued by the goods. And many, many people are out on their own, doing their weekend shopping or wandering for the fun of it.

Who out there lives in places with great markets that we all should be thinking about visiting? Please tell us about them.

Top Photo: Otavalo, Ecuador

Photos, Ellen Perlman: Radishes, apples, at the Dupont Circle farmer's market.

Comments

[Olga]

Great photos and a really cool concept. I tend to do quite a bit of traveling solo....there are some pluses to it, but eating dinner on your own can be sad.

[Ellen Perlman]

Olga,
Glad to see a new "face" at boldlygosolo. Dining solo is the hardest thing solo travelers face, I'm finding out from readers.
Go to the "dining solo" category on the blog for some ideas, but there's no perfect solution. My own preference a lot of times is not to bother with a sit-down dinner. Or I'll go some place that will be somewhat quick and bring a crossword puzzle or a magazine or postcards.
The discomfort is a small price to pay for getting to see the world, is how I look at it.
Ellen

[Ellen]

btw, Olga, I forgot to say thanks for the nice words about the photos and the blog! They made my night.
Ellen