Manchester named as top 10 city in the WORLD to visit in 2016... but why wait until next year when festive markets are in full swing right now?

It's upon us again. The time of year where we seek warmth in mulled wine, pleasure in German sausages and turn out in our droves to see festive lights so sparkly they warm our hearts.

But while the Christmas period may have you wanting to jet off to the likes of Berlin or Hamburg to indulge in traditional German markets, there's a host of proper festive markets in Britain which rival those in our neighbouring European continents.

Take Manchester's annual Christmas Market for example.

With almost 350 stalls, stretched across 10 different sites around the city centre, Manchester offers everything you could possibly want and more from its Christmas market and is one of the best in Europe

The world famous Manchester Christmas market, which has regularly been named as one of the best in Europe, offers a range of both festive and handmade goods, from local businesses across the North West

With almost 350 stalls, stretched across 10 different sites dotted around the city centre, it offers everything you could possibly want and more from the traditional Christmas market - and is a darn sight cheaper to visit than forking out for expensive flights across the North Sea.

The world famous market, which has regularly been named as one of the best in Europe, offers a range of both festive and handmade goods, from local businesses across the North West.

From handmade jewellery, ceramic pottery and intricate clocks, to toys, puppets and glassware, there's a huge selection of gifts to choose from which make the ideal Christmas present for a loved one.

What's more, shoppers have more than enough to choose from to quench their thirst and refuel during their visit.

From proper German sausages nestled in fresh bread baps, to European street food and even Lancashire pies, there's something for everyone when it comes to warming your bellies after a day hitting the stalls.

For those with a more savoury tooth, who can turn down a fresh crepe cooked on a stove in front of you, before being drizzled with chocolate sauce and cream?

Or perhaps you'd prefer the chocolate covered waffles, giant cinnamon cookies or array of fudge which are all on offer at the Albert Square market site.

Incidentally, there's also a large selection of beverages to warm your cockles. From alcoholic tipples such as mulled wine and festive-inspired cocktails, to German beer or indulgent hot chocolate, there's plenty of choice to ensure shoppers can kick back from a day spent finding those perfect Christmas presents.

From proper German sausages nestled in fresh bread baps, to European street food and even Lancashire pies, there's something for everyone when it comes to warming your bellies after a day hitting the stalls

The Manchester Christmas market is spread across 10 different sites across the city centre (one is pictured)

For those with a more savoury tooth, who can turn down a fresh crepe cooked on a stove in front of you, before being drizzled with chocolate sauce and cream? Or how about a dutch sugar waffle coated in chocolate sauce?

The vibrant northern city has just been named as one of the top 10 cities to visit in the world by Lonely Planet

While the Christmas markets are open all day, every day in the lead up to December 25, it's worth setting a few days aside to enjoy the Manchester offering – especially since they are rather busy with shoppers in the weeks leading up to the big day.

What's more, now is a better time than any to visit the vibrant city since it's just been named as one of the top 10 cities to visit in the world.

Whether it's the £15million renovation of the Whitworth Art Gallery, the newly-unveiled public library (the second biggest in Britain), the opening of the multi-million pound arts centre HOME or the regeneration of Salford Quays, it's clear Manchester is a city which is having money and resources pumped into it.

Over the years it has steadily grown from an industrial northern city into one of the biggest in Britain – rivalling the likes of London and Glasgow for its vast array of restaurants, excellent shopping facilities and buzzing nightlife.

Manchester's Christmas market is just one of its pulling points, and the city has recently been named as one of the top cities to visit in the world next year

Lonely Planet said it included Manchester in its top ten cities list for next year because it 'deserves to be recognised as one of the UK's most important destinations for travellers.'

James Smart, Lonely Planet's destination editor for the UK and Ireland, said: 'Manchester has been transformed in recent years, with inspirational new openings, the reinvention of existing spaces and vast investment.

'Whatever experience travellers are after – culture, sport, shopping, nightlife – they won't come away from Manchester disappointed. The city has something to offer everyone.'

He also highlighted Manchester's impressive regeneration in recent years, adding: 'One of Britain's most important art galleries, the Whitworth, reopened in 2015 after a £15million revamp with a new glass promenade and art garden.

'A few months later saw the opening of HOME, a multi-artform centre with ambitions to produce the country's best theatre, film and visual art.

'And Britain's second largest public library, the pantheon-like Central Library, reopened in 2014 as a 'living room space' for the city.'

Lonely Planet, which placed Manchester eighth in its top 10 cities to visit in 2016 list, concluded that the city had 'found a new groove for the 21st century as a dynamo of culture and the arts.'

And the Government clearly agrees, since it has already committed to providing the city with a £78million facility called The Factory – which will act as a multi-purpose arts space that will include a 2200-seat theatre and be the permanent home of the Manchester International Festival.

However, while there's plenty of good reasons why Manchester has been voted a must-see place to visit - why wait until 2016?

In fact, I personally think Christmas is the best time to visit Manchester, so why wait any longer?

Aside from the somewhat unreliable weather, never does the city come more alive than when it's flooded with Christmas cheer.

In terms of places to stay while in the northern city, which is home to two premier league clubs, the MacDonald Hotel and Spa is the biggest of the city's four star hotels.

Lonely Planet said it included Manchester in its top ten cities list for next year because it 'deserves to be recognised as one of the UK's most important destinations for travellers' following recent regeneration

The Christmas market in Albert Square, Manchester, (pictured) is impressive with dozens of festive treats

A giant illuminated Father Christmas (pictured) towers over the festive market offering in Albert Square 

Situated just a stone's throw from Piccadilly Station, it could not be better suited to exploring all Manchester has to offer.

From the city centre shops and the massive Arndale Shopping Centre to the trendy Northern Quarter, Deansgate and upmarket Spinningfields, the hotel is ideally situated to access all by foot.

While the close proximity of the MacDonald Hotel to the train station may instil some fear that your stay may be noisy, fear not. Each room is fitted with ultra-thick glass windows, so while the large, spacious rooms offer a cracking view of the railway lines - perfect for trainspotters - and further across the city, no outside noise can be heard on any of the hotel's eight floors.

The view is perhaps the selling point for the hotel, and particularly the focal point of rooms on the north-east facing side.

However, the bathroom and walk-in rainfall shower is also an absolute delight - and the perfect way to warm up after a day exploring the city, before sinking into the feather pillows and feather duvet bed.

As well as offering a restful sleep in its spacious beds, the room also allows for a little relaxation time - with velvet-coated armchairs positioned perfectly in front of the large flat screen TV, and an iPod docking station allowing music to be played around the room.

The rooms also benefit from thick walls, so those who prefer to curl up with a good book or head for an early night don't need to worry about be awoken by their neighbours.

The hotel also offers a continental breakfast, perfect for setting yourself up for the day ahead - although be prepared to queue a little for a table if visiting at peak times in the morning.

While the breakfast selection was undoubtedly expansive, this mealtime was the only time during the stay that it became evident the hotel was operating on a large-scale basis.

The breakfast dining area was overly noisy, with staff rushing around - doing their very best - to try and accommodate all of the guests.

Ideal for those who don't mind serving up their own fry-up in a breakfast hall, but perhaps slightly too much on the hectic and manic side for those who, like me, prefer to be eased into the day gently with a quiet pot of tea over the morning's newspapers.

The solution is, of course, to pitch up for breakfast at its 7am start time, when I'm sure the majority of weekend stayers are still tucked up in their feather-coated duvet.

There are a range of goodies and presents on offer at the 350 stalls at the Manchester Christmas market

Festive and romantic treats are among the foodie delights on offer at the Christmas market in Manchester

There are a host of festive goodies on offer at the Manchester Christmas markets, including chocolate delights

The markets in Manchester stretch across the city centre from St Anne's Square (above) to Albert Square

Still, the breakfast – which costs £19.50 per person – undeniably sets you up for the day ahead.

Hotel guests can choose from an extensive choice, including a full English - complete with eggs cooked to your liking - hot porridge, a range of cereals, yoghurt with fresh fruit and granola, as well as tea, coffee and fresh toast. There's also a selection of pastries and fresh juice to finish off.

It's exactly what you need to fill you up before heading out for a day exploring the city – although maybe save some room to still enjoy the cuisine on offer at the German market!