THERE is simply no other city in the world that does Christmas like Vienna.

Its grandeur is amplified when bedecked with lights, decorations and markets selling mulled wine and crafts. Ice rinks, choirs, Christmas trees everywhere . . . even the most miserly Scrooge will be won over.

You don’t want to leave it too late to plan your visit. In fact, good hotels and the city’s wonderful winter concerts sell out as early as September.

The tourist board rounded up a handful of journalists from all over the world to experience Vienna during the festive season. I was the only Brit in a group in which Shanghai, Dubai, Germany, France and Brazil were all represented. And after our four days in the city we all agreed you couldn’t find anywhere better on earth to get into the spirit.