'I've been to 100 Christmas markets - there are two I'd never go back to'

Christmas market season is nearly upon us but according to one "obsessed" fan there are two you should definitely avoid.

fanatic from Texas has visited over 100 different , and revealed some of the best and worst to go to. Helene managed to get in the spirit by visiting different festive markets after her move to Heidelberg, Germany, in 2016 with her . From Germany to France, Austria and London, Helene visited her first Christmas fair in Heidelberg and has been a huge fan of them ever since as it made her "feel like a kid at Christmas again". Following that first festive visit, Helene has made it her mission to visit as many as possible.

Helene shares her reviews under the name and one of her favourites is the one in Cologne, Germany. She said it "takes the breath away" and said the picturesque location set by the gothic architecture and cathedral is the "perfect back drop" for the festive lights and stalls. She told Daily Mail that it's "expensive" with plenty of food options, as well as being appealing to families with a skating rink and carousel.

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Another on the top of her list is Strasbourg in France. This stands out to the market professional due to it's "authenticity". She said it's known as the "capital of Christmas" and said it it's one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe. She said the whole city is "transformed" into a "festive wonderland" and said the charm and authenticity is "unmatched".

Vienna, Austria is another the Christmas fan enjoys, and said it's "elegant" and "enchanting". She said it is "truly magical" and is impressive, even though it's a larger Christmas market than the others. However, Helene has shared some of the worst she's visited, and sadly, London's Winter Wonderland is on the bad list. She said: "I know, I know, and I'm sorry. Winter Wonderland feels like a theme park! But it feels very cheesy and commercial. London has fab decorations, but they just don't get the "spirit" right. Same for Paris!"

One of the most appealing things about Christmas markets are the food, and for this market reveller Helene recommended the Alsace region in France. She said: "The Alsace region in France [bordering Germany], hands down, has the best food at its Christmas markets. Markets like those in Strasbourg and Ribeauville offer an incredible variety of traditional Alsatian treats.

"You can't miss the tarte flambee (a delicious flatbread), bredele cookies, and vin chaud (mulled wine). The combination of French and German culinary influences makes every meal at these markets a delight!" However, they can be fairly pricey, but the traveller suggested for those not wanting to fork out too much to visit Eastern European markets such as Budapest or Krakow and said Vienna and Zurich can be on the "pricier side".

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