It's almost Christmas! For many people the most wonderful time of the year. The time of decorating the Christmas tree, decorating and cozily dressing the house, and buying gifts for friends and family. With nice lights and candles, we make the house cozy. We sit inside more and enjoy each other's coziness.
But what does celebrating Christmas in the best vacation spots in the world sound like? Yes, that's what I already thought WONDERFUL!
This blog describes the best vacation spots to celebrate Christmas. So read on quickly!
Discover with us:
Colmar, France
Colmar is a city in the Alsace region of France. Starting in late November, Colmar hosts a Christmas market with a life-size nativity scene, culinary specialties, and a children's Christmas market. This Christmas market is called Place des Six Montagnes Noires.
The old town is beautifully lit at Christmas and decorated like a fairy tale. The center of Colmar is laid out mainly for pedestrians.
During Christmas, you can admire the Maison Pfister, the Koïfhus, the Unterlinden museum, the Little Venice district, the Maison des Têtes and the Collegiate Church of Saint Martin. The whole city is decorated like a dream with a warm Christmas atmosphere enveloping it.
There are six wonderful Christmas markets in Colmar, namely:
• Place des Dominicains
• Place Jeanne d’Arc
• Place de l’Ancienne Douane
• Koïfhus – Marché Intérieur
• Petite Venise
• Place de la Cathédrale
Various activities also take place in Colmar during Christmas, such as an ice rink at Place Rapp and carols along the canals. There are concerts and Christmas songs sung by children. In short, it is a city full of a great Christmas atmosphere!
Vienna, Austria
In Vienna during Christmas, all the streets are beautifully decorated and punch and chestnut stalls are everywhere. Christmas markets are an age-old tradition in Vienna.
The Vienna Dream Christmas Market is located in front of City Hall and is a must-see for those who want to get into the Christmas spirit. On the first floor of City Hall, there is an area where children can how to make Christmas cookies or candles. You can listen to international choirs singing Christmas songs at the Christmas market. For the rest, there are all nice stalls focused on Christmas.
The Christmas Village Belvedere Palace Christmas Market consists of more than 40 festively decorated market stalls. These stalls offer traditional handmade products, elaborate Christmas decorations, and special culinary delights. A great Christmas atmosphere in other words!
The Christmas market at Schönbrunn Palace is a Christmas market where nearly 60 exhibitors present handicrafts and original gifts. Think of handmade Christmas decorations and nativity scenes. All over the market, you can smell the scent of freshly baked Vanillekipferl and hot punch!
And these were not even all the markets to visit in Vienna. It is a city full of markets and a great Christmas atmosphere!
Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
Did you know that Santa Claus has an official residence that you can visit? You read that right and also in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. There are also other great things to experience here, such as riding with reindeer and huskies in search of the northern lights.
Santa's village is Lapland's most famous attraction, but there are also many restaurants, stores, and cafes to be found. And, of course, other attractions related to Christmas.
Namely, you have Santa's post office there. At the post office in Santa's Village, you can not only write letters to Santa but also to home. For example, your letter gets a special Arctic Circle stamp that you can't get anywhere else in the world. You can even surprise someone with a letter written by Santa himself.
It is also possible to take a ride on a reindeer sleigh and visit a reindeer farm. Or visit Husky Park. Here you will find nearly 100 Siberian huskies, with which you can go sledding in winter.
Of course, Rovaniemi is not all about Santa Claus, but you can also visit the Northern Lights. There are different ways to explore this light spectacle, from car to snowmobile to reindeer sleigh. The best period to get a chance to see the northern lights is from August to early April.
Reykjavik, Iceland
December is the darkest time of year in Iceland, but during this time you will see Christmas lights everywhere. On clear nights you even have a chance to see the northern lights in changing colors.
The chances of there being snow in Iceland during Christmas a very high. Christmas in Iceland lasts 26 days, from December 11 to January 6. Iceland also has 13 Santa Clauses or Christmas carolers. The Christmas season starts when the first Santa Claus comes to town and ends when the last one leaves town again.
Reykjavík, like all other cities in Iceland, is lit up with numerous Christmas and Advent illuminations. People often start decorating as early as October.
Several Christmas concerts are held in Reykjavík during Christmas. There are numerous performances with angelic choirs and all kinds of popular musicians from Iceland.
It is also possible to skate on Tjörnin, which is a pond in Reykjavík. Should it not freeze hard enough, an ice rink is often built in the city center. Where there is also the festive Christmas market.
The best thing about Christmas in Reykjavík is the beautiful decorations throughout all the streets. A walk through the center is therefore definitely recommended. For the best view of Reykjavík, climb the tower of the Hallgrímskirkja church.
Another fun Christmas activity is to visit the Árbæjarsafn open-air museum. This museum shows how Christmas was traditionally celebrated in Iceland. At Christmas, the museum has a special program, where visitors can make candles, taste traditional Icelandic delicacies and drink delicious hot chocolate.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald is one of the most enchanting Christmas villages in Switzerland. It is set in the dramatic snowy peaks and meadows of the Bernese Oberland. You have a wonderful view of the famous rocky north face of the Eiger from Grindelwald. You can do great things there to explore nature, such as skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing.
In Grindelwald's Christmas village, you'll find magical markets, stores, and restaurants all lit up in beautiful, twinkling lights. You also have an ice palace and the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven display. You can enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere from snow sports to cozy cafes.
Budapest, Hungary
Christmas markets are a real tradition in Hungary. Therefore, the Christmas markets in Budapest are a real must for Christmas Eve. The Christmas markets create a magical atmosphere because of the architecture of Budapest itself.
The Christmas market in Vörösmarty Square is one of the most important Christmas markets in Budapest. Wooden lodges made by local artisans line the market with Hungarian specialties. The main stage hosts entertainment, concerts, and activities for children every day. The Christmas market in Vörösmarty Square was named one of the 5 most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe by the British Time Out magazine.
A second major Christmas market in Budapest is St. Stephen's Basilica Christmas Market. The market is full of craft and gourmet stalls. In the middle of the market is an ice rink. Different animated films are projected on the façade of St. Stephen's Basilica every day. These beautiful projections take place for 30 minutes every day between 4:30 and 10 p.m.
There is also a mega Ferris wheel to visit in Budapest during Christmas. This Ferris wheel is located in Erzsébet Square, where there is also a Christmas market during Christmas. At this Christmas market, you can find Christmas specialties that you can eat on the spot or take away as gifts.
This is the end of the blog about the BEST Holiday Places at Christmas. We believe this will be of use to you and help you know where best to celebrate Christmas. Don't forget to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be always updated on the new releases! We will be back soon with a new article!