Everything is beautiful in this unique celebration, for which the cities are filled with decorated trees, spectacular lights, Christmas Markets and unique smells of Christmas delicacies. For these reasons, it is worth a festive trip to one of them, in order to experience the most magical Christmas of your life.
Strasbourg – France
It is not called the capital of Christmas for nothing. Strasbourg has one of the largest open-air markets, which is more reminiscent of a Christmas village. With more than 300 stalls, this Christmas market has been organized every year since the 16th century without ever stopping! An essential symbol of Strasbourg remains the Great Christmas Tree that rises majestically on Kléber Square. Visit the historic Christmas market in front of Broglie town hall, the Village of Alsace Farmhouse, where you can try foie gras variations, the Village of Bredle for traditional Christmas cookies and mulled wine with cinnamon and ginger. You can’t help but love the ‘Marchés de Noël’ – the Christmas markets that are set up in the historic squares of Strasbourg.
Prague – Czech Republic
Prague, the Gothic fairytale of Europe, celebrates Christmas with splendor and grandeur. Its stunning architecture offers a truly unbeatable backdrop to sip mulled wine and get lost in the frenzy of Christmas markets. With over 500 snow-covered towers, bridges and cathedrals and the most famous Christmas markets in Europe, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a… Christmas card. The largest, oldest and most impressive market is set up in Old Town Square, but equally attractive markets can be found on Wenceslas Square and Náměstí Míru. You can try dumplings filled with blueberries or spicy sausages wrapped in fluffy buns and quench your thirst with beer.
Vienna – Austria
Gothic architecture, Christmas markets, handmade decorations, delicious food, delicious mulled wine and thousands of lights that light up from the second half of November create the irresistible grandeur of Vienna and make it the best time to explore the city’s top attractions. Vienna invites you to take a stroll through the Rathausplatz square to take you on a journey to a Christmas from another era. The Vienna Christmas market has already opened and is open until late on New Year’s Eve. A multitude of orchestras and ensembles give Christmas concerts with the most famous works of Mozart, Strauss, Vivaldi and other composers, in churches and historic venues such as the Kursalon, the famous Baroque Karlskirche church, the Orangerie Schönbrunn and the Peterskirche concert hall. The Christkindlmarkt has an ice-skating area, while Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Austrian emperors, offers the best view of Christmas Vienna.
Bruges – Belgium
The beautiful, medieval city of Belgium awaits you for an idyllic holiday at Christmas. In the main square you will find a huge skating rink, an amusement park and stalls with handmade, mainly wooden, objects. The exhibition of ice sculptures that takes place every year, usually around New Year’s, near the city is impressive. Around Christmas, the city’s main square, Grote Markt, is transformed into a magical landscape, decorated with lots of twinkling lights, a wonderful ice rink and many wooden chalets filled with souvenirs, ornaments and of course, delicious Belgian chocolate.
Rome – Italy
The Eternal City is also ideal for Christmas. Rome awaits its Christmas travelers for a stroll in Piazza Navona, which hosts a large market, while 100 fantastic scenes from the nativity story are set up in Piazza del Popolo. For many, the ultimate destination is St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican and watching the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. According to legend, on the night Christ was born, the three wise men visited Befana at her home and when they were leaving they suggested that she go with them to worship Christ and give him gifts. But she refused. Then she regretted it and since then, every year she flies around on her broom and distributes gifts to all the children, hoping that one of them is Christ. After eating nuts and cookies that the children left for her, she fills the stockings of the good children with gifts, while the stockings of the “bad” children with a sweet in the shape of a coal!
Amsterdam – Netherlands
Christmas in Amsterdam starts much earlier, with gift-giving taking place on December 5, the day Saint Nicholas is celebrated. Christmas lights, decorations, street markets, amusement parks and ice rinks are just a few of the things you’ll find in the Dutch capital during the holidays. Most of the city’s top attractions are open year-round, while during the winter season, there are a variety of shows and celebrations all over the city.
Tallinn – Estonia
The red roofs of its medieval old town are covered in snow, lanterns illuminate the cobblestone streets, and the festive mood is high in churches, shops and lovely cafes. The world’s first Christmas tree was erected here in 1441, and today, traditions still include setting up the legendary tree on Town Hall Square. It’s surrounded by the world-famous Christmas market, which is filled with stalls selling gifts, crafts, and Estonian food. Get the Tallinn Card, which offers free entry to over 40 museums and attractions, as well as public transportation.
Salzburg – Austria
The picturesque European city may have one of the smaller Christmas markets, but it’s also one of the most historic. With 85 beautiful stalls, it feels more homely than other big cities. The city is in full festive spirit and will become your favorite Christmas destination. Professional musicians and students perform impromptu concerts in the narrow alleys of the old town. The melodies of classical music mingle with the carols heard in various corners and the scents of cloves and oranges, offering the ideal Christmas spirit.
Rovaniemi – Lapland – Finland
The official homeland of Santa Claus north of the Arctic Circle, nestled in snow and pine forests, lives to the rhythm of the traditions of the spirit and goodwill of Christmas all year round. This season, however, has its honor, as the eyes of the world turn to Santa Claus’ village, where its official resident declares the beginning of the festive season. In the north of Finland, Lapland awaits you for a journey into a Christmas fairy tale. A destination that thrills young and old alike, it is undoubtedly an unforgettable experience, although the cost is a bit steep…like its cold! With its beautiful frozen landscapes, light-filled trees and elaborate ice sculptures, there is no doubt that Rovaniemi is one of the best European cities to spend your Christmas. A living paradise for children, who can make cookies with him, enroll in the Elves’ School and visit Santa’s Central Post Office, where cheerful elves serve customers at their headquarters, operated by the Finnish national postal service. Other attractions include husky or sleigh rides in pristine snow and hikes with reindeer and alpacas. At Mount Porovaara Farm, you can enjoy reindeer safaris and views of the Northern Lights.
Maldives: Christmas in the sun
The Maldives may not be your typical Christmas, but that’s what makes it so special. Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, they offer a different style of… white Christmas: islands and beach resorts with endless white-sand beaches, clear blue skies and sunny days with an average temperature of 28-30°C. You’ll enjoy Christmas bonfires, pool parties, outdoor soirees, children’s activities, luxurious festive dinners with a backdrop of sunset and majestic palm trees. Santa Claus makes an appearance on Christmas Day, either by water skiing or paragliding, but always in style.
Sources: itravelling.gr & travelo.gr & Altitude.gr & flic.cy
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