The small workshop of the Viennese Perzy family, who claim to have invented the snow globe over 100 years ago, remains a hive of activity today. This year, the company had to double its efforts after a fire in the paint workshop partially halted production from February to August. Many of their models are sold at Christmas markets in Vienna, with motifs including landmarks such as St Stephen's Cathedral, the Riesenrad Ferris wheel, the Schönbrunn Palace and more. "I just love the fact that there's snow stays in them for so long and it's just so pretty. It's just Christmas I think… Christmas in a globe!", Victoria Piper, who is visiting from Devon tells AFP. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES