The Best Cozy Christmas Markets For Your Soulful Travel Style
Imagine it: you’re wrapped in a wool scarf, mittened hands curled around a mug of something hot and spiced, as snowflakes drift through the glow of tiny white lights. You’re not in a mega‑city market where you have to elbow your way to the next stall—you’re in a small town where the shopkeeper remembers your name by the second night, and the whole place feels like a warm farmhouse kitchen. That is the cozy Christmas market energy your soul may be craving in midlife: intimate, unhurried, and deeply personal.
This is travel through the lens of true self. A soulful travel style that sees travel as a classroom to unite your soul and personality, so you’re not just collecting passport stamps—you’re remembering who you really are.
Cozy Christmas Markets: Discovering Your True Self
How cozy, small‑town markets can spark self-awakening in midlife.
In midlife, your soul starts asking different questions. Not, “How much can I achieve?” but “How can I step gently?” Not, “How much can I consume?” but “How can I finally listen to myself?” Cozy Christmas markets in smaller towns can ignite a shift. Why? Because they invite presence, not hurriedness; connection, not consumption. They are “anti-bucket list” alternatives. Travel becomes a tool for self-discovery!
These cozy markets tend to have:
A slower pace: fewer crowds, time for more conversations with artisans, more space to breathe.
Local flavor: handmade ornaments, regional foods, and traditions passed down through generations.
Mystical places: cathedrals lit at dusk, carols sung in small squares, old stone streets that hold a lively energy of those who’ve come before.
Think charming Alsatian villages like Kaysersberg or Colmar in France, where half‑timbered houses lean toward one another as if sharing secrets–windows glowing with candles and twinkly lights. Or a riverside, like Bernkastel‑Kues in Germany, a medieval square town ringed with timbered facades and a huge Advent calendar lighting up the night. These are the kinds of places where you can stroll from place-to-place, linger at stalls, and feel held by the town itself.
Settings where your soul calms the business and embraces the awe of a place.
Four Spiritual Soul Families: How They Travel
Spiritual Personality Typing℠ builds a bridge between your personality (logical self) and soul (higher conscious self). Your distinct personality is the tool the soul relies on to express itself; helping your remember who you were before the world told you who to be!
When you identify your spiritual personality type, travel stops being a random escape and becomes a playground for learning, growing, and knowing. Spiritual Personality Typing℠ adapts a Myers-Briggs framework, influenced with soul. Here are the four spiritually inclined temperaments:
Sensing Judging types (SJ): Exacting. Traditional. Advising. Pillars and Preservers.
Sensing Perceiving types (SP): Artistic. Adventurous. Adaptable. Artists and Experiencers.
Intuitive Feeling types (NF): Abstract. Flexible. Transcendentalist. Visionaries and Healers.
Intuitive Thinking types (NT): Experimental. Cerebral. Objective. Innovators and Strategists.
Picture yourself at cozy Christmas market. What will you choose? Did you make a decision based on pleasing another or did you intentionally decide this trip was meant for a gentle awakening. Don’t define the what, just let it arise. How can you see travel as just another tool for awakening.
Sensing Judging (SJ) Soul Family: The Sacred Keepers of Tradition
SJ types are the warm backbone of the world: the ones who make sure everyone is fed, the train schedules make sense, and the stockings are actually hung before anyone else wakes up. They are exacting, traditional, advising; they preserve what matters and keep it running—on time.
Archetypes:
Dutiful traveler (ESTJ)
Grounded traveler (ISTJ)
Attentive traveler (ESFJ)
Kindly traveler (ISFJ)
The Things At Cozy Christmas Markets That Secretly Light Up SJ Types
Picture an SJ in a small German town like Mainz or Bernkastel‑Kues: they arrive early, walk the square with purpose, and know exactly when the Advent music starts by the cathedral. They love wooden nativity sets, quality candles, and anything “built to last.” This is not just shopping for them; it’s curating a legacy box for future Christmases.
The town has deep history and clear structure: regular opening hours, posted schedules for choir performances, traditions explained.
The market is nestled around a church or cathedral, where faith, ritual, and community are woven together.
They can take care of others—organizing the trip, reserving a guesthouse, making sure everyone has gloves and a plan.
Soul lesson for SJs at Christmas markets:
Move from “I must manage everything” to “I am allowed to savor this.”
Let go of perfection: if the plan shifts, see it as the Divine rewiring your itinerary for joy, not a failure on your part.
Remember: you are not just the organizer of everyone else’s magic—you are worthy of wonder, too.
Mindset shift for SJs:
From “I’m responsible for everyone having a good time”
To “I am responsible for honoring my own needs, too; my joy teaches others it’s safe to rest.”
How to make it sacred:
Choose small markets where you can walk slowly and feel safe letting go of control.
Allow one evening with no plan—simply follow the sound of music or the smell of roasting chestnuts.
Buy one item that symbolizes your new season: a handmade ornament, a candle, a small carving that says, “I matter, too.” (A mantra to ignite your new beginning)
Sensing Perceiving (SP) Soul Family: The Holy Artists of the Moment
SPs are the soul family of beauty, spontaneity, and sensory delight. They’re artistic, adventurous, adaptable; the ones who will wander down a side alley because the light looks interesting and end up at the most magical stall in the whole town. They create the color, music, and “wow” moments others remember. Archetypes:
Spirited traveler (ESTP)
Active traveler (ISTP)
Playful traveler (ESFP)
Abstract traveler (ISFP)
SPs come alive at cozy Christmas markets when…
They can wandering through a fairy‑tale village in Alsace, France stopping every few steps to take in gorgeous window boxes or try a new pastry. The market isn’t about a checklist; it’s an artistic treasure, moments to be remembered. The feeling, the senses on fire and you experiencing it through the eyes of the soul, where everything is a glow!
There is room to roam, wander, and explore—multiple small squares, hidden courtyards, or riverside paths.
The market is visually rich: fairy lights dripping from balconies, hand‑painted ornaments, artisans carving or glass‑blowing on site.
They can taste, touch, and move: sampling foods, dancing to street musicians, trying ice skating or a small carnival ride.
Soul lesson for SPs at Christmas markets:
Move from “I have to chase every thrill” to “I can select experiences that truly feed my soul.”
Understand that your spontaneity is sacred—when you stay present, you become a tuning fork for joy.
Notice when you’re distracting yourself with novelty instead of listening to what your soul actually needs.
Mindset shift for SPs:
From “I must not miss out”
To “What’s meant for my soul will find me when I am present, grounded, and open.”
How to make it sacred:
Build in “wander time”—no schedule for a few hours, just follow your senses.
Choose markets where you can see local artisans at work, then pause and really watch, honoring their craft.
Buy something handmade that invites you into more creativity back home: a sketchbook, artisan pens, a musical instrument ornament, a handmade mug for your morning ritual. (This may even lead to a new hobby or dare I say new career!)
Intuitive Feeling (NF) Soul Family: The Visionary Wayshowers
NFs are rare but powerful: abstract, flexible, transcendentalists. They care about meaning more than logistics, and they are always sniffing out deeper symbolism—“What does this trip say about who I’m becoming?” They are drawn to growth, healing, and helping others find their path.
Archetypes:
Harmonious traveler (ENFJ)
Insightful traveler (INFJ)
Expressive traveler (ENFP)
Seeking traveler (INFP)
NFs come alive at cozy Christmas markets when…
At cozy Christmas markets, NFs feel at home sitting on a bench at dusk in a small Estonian or French town, watching snow fall as a choir sings nearby. Their heart is full, not because of the shopping, but because they can feel the centuries of human hope layered into these stones. The look for:
The town feels like a storybook, with narrow lanes, old stone, and a sense of “time out of time.”
There are opportunities for soulful moments: candlelit concerts, small chapels, charity stalls supporting local causes.
They can share reflections with a travel companion or journal in a window seat overlooking the square.
Soul lesson for NFs at Christmas markets:
Move from “I must become someone new” to “I am allowed to remember who I already am.”
See travel not as an escape from your life, but as a mirror reflecting your next chapter.
Let the market show you: which stalls draw you in, which stories move you, what you’re truly longing for in this season.
Mindset shift for NFs:
From “I’m behind; I should have figured myself out by now”
To “My midlife is a sacred unfolding; my timing is Divine.”
How to make it sacred:
Choose cozy towns where you can slow down, sip a warm drink, and have unhurried conversations with locals.
Attend a small concert, candlelight service, or storytelling event—let the music and words wash through you.
Bring a travel journal; each night, write a love letter to your future self, describing what you felt most alive doing that day. (A great way to reveal purpose)
Intuitive Thinking (NT) Soul Family: The Sacred Strategists
NTs are experimental, cerebral, objective; the architects and strategists of the soul world. They want to understand why things work, how systems fit together, and how to improve them. They are deeply independent thinkers, wired for innovation and big‑picture vision. Archetypes:
Assured traveler (ENTJ)
Inventive traveler (INTJ)
Curious traveler (ENTP)
Ingenious traveler (INTP)
At cozy Christmas markets, NTs light up …
Strolling through Savannah’s Plant Riverside Christmas market at off‑peak hours, mapping out how the stalls are laid out, noticing how people move, wondering how the town’s seasonal economy works. These types tend of buy fewer items, but each purchase is chosen with purpose. It’s more about quality than consuming!
There is cultural depth to explore: history of the market, town, people, politics, architecture, local customs.
They can observe patterns: how the town organizes itself, how tourism impacts the community, how traditions evolve.
They are not overwhelmed by crowds, so they can think, notice, and analyze freely.
Soul lesson for NTs at Christmas markets:
Move from “I am just collecting data” to “I am also allowed to feel.”
Let your intellect serve your soul—ask, “What is this trip teaching me about trust, surrender, and joy?”
Notice when your mind is using analysis to avoid tender emotions that are ready to be healed.
Mindset shift for NTs:
From “I’m here to understand and optimize this experience”
To “I’m here to let this experience transform me.”
How to make it sacred:
Choose less touristy towns during weekdays so you have room to observe and reflect.
Learn the story behind the market: how it began, why it matters to locals, what it symbolizes.
Buy one object that represents a new structure or system you’re ready to build in midlife—a journal for your next business idea, a handmade calendar for daily intentions, a carved symbol of resilience. (This is your time to dig deep, stay with it until it becomes a part of you, not a fleeting moment.)
Matching Cozy Market Styles To Your Soul Type
Here’s a simple way to think about what kind of small‑town market your soul might love most, by temperament:
| Soul family | What they crave most | Ideal cozy‑market vibe | Travel intention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensing Judging (SJ) | Stability, tradition, clear structure | Historic town square around a church or cathedral; predictable schedule; classic decorations | Rest from over‑responsibility and reclaiming personal joy |
| Sensing Perceiving (SP) | Sensory delight, spontaneity | Charming lanes, lots of light and color, artisans at work, music and movement | Turning distraction into mindful presence and creative expression |
| Intuitive Feeling (NF) | Meaning, connection, inspiration | Storybook towns, candlelit corners, soulful events, opportunities for quiet reflection | Receiving guidance for the next soul chapter and deep self‑acceptance |
| Intuitive Thinking (NT) | Understanding, growth, innovation | Historically rich small cities or towns with strong cultural context and room to think | Letting intellect serve transformation, not just analysis |
Where you go matters—but how you go matters more.
From Hustle To Pause: Redefining Midlife Travel
Midlife is a magical time. Not because everything suddenly becomes easy, but because you finally stop asking for permission to be yourself. Cozy Christmas markets can become your annual ritual of holy pause, where you step away from hustle culture and slip into a life that fits your soul like a favorite sweater.
Sacred mindset shifts for midlife women traveling at Christmas:
Aging: From “I’m running out of time” to “I am right on time.”
Worth: From “I have to earn rest” to “Rest is my birthright and my reset.”
Visibility: From “I must stay small to be safe” to “My presence is a gift, even when I say no.”
Legacy: From “Legacy means something big and public” to “Legacy is how my daily choices bless others.”
Travel becomes a spiritual practice when you let the cobblestones, candlelight, and conversations reflect back the truth: you are not here to shrink yourself to fit outdated expectations—you are here to live vibrantly, on purpose, in this second half of life.
Dear Soul, if this cozy Christmas market were a mirror…
Journal prompt for your next cozy Christmas market
When you sit in a café overlooking the twinkle‑lit square, or in your favorite chair at home planning your trip, try this:
“Dear Soul, if this cozy Christmas market were a mirror for my next season of life, what is it showing me about…
what I’m ready to release,
what I’m ready to receive, and
who I’m ready to finally be?”
Let your pen move without editing. This is where your wounds start to turn into wisdom on the page.
Soft invitations: Walking your path with support
Your midlife Christmas market journey is not a getaway from your life; it is a gateway into the woman you were always meant to be: gracious yet audacious, simple yet wildly soulful, a living invitation for others to remember their own Divine spark. If you want to travel based on your unique travel personality type, book a one-on-one session.
Please Share This Message
My hope is always to encourage fresh ways of seeing yourself and to plant seeds of truth. Through Spiritual Personality Typing℠, we can remember who we really are—and in doing so, lift the vibration of the planet together.
If this message stirred something in you, share it with a friend, sister, or coworker who may need the reminder. You never know who’s waiting for this nudge. For more inspiration, you can also find me on Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Dive Deeper
If this message resonates, you may enjoy my conversation on iHeart Radio, Speaking of Travel with with host Marilyn Ball where we open the book and explore the pages of my debut book: Unpack Your Personality… What’s Your Travel Type? Listen here.
More ways to explore:
Watch on YouTube
Read it now: How A Popular Christmas Movie Can Help Us Reflect On Ourselves
Read it now: How To Stay True To Yourself This Holiday Season
Pick up my debut book and start traveling soulfully: Unpack Your Personality here
Who Is Nina Zapala?
I created Spiritual Personality Typing℠ during what I call my “midlife tsunami,” a season of upheaval that stripped away illusions and brought me to truth. A liberating lesson taught me; old-school typology only tells half the story. This realization lead to a new personality paradigm one that bridges the personality and soul. This isn’t another new activation it’s alignment—a committed way of living true to your self.
Today I guide women just like you to ignite the relationship between soul and personality the totality of your true self-expression—free from fear or compromise. Think of it as a coming into wholeness–gracious, yet audacious; releasing the patriarchy, invisibility, and anti-aging tropes. A return to simple and soulful living. Vibrant. Free. Liberated.
Here’s what I’ve come to know: Every wrinkle is a story. Every scar, a sacred map. When we deny our true self, the soul withers. When we embrace her, we bloom into timelessness.
Photo Credit: Plant Riverside Christmas Market, Savannah Georgia
