Ten captivating Christmas experiences worth having at least once in your life.
These days, all the cities of the world have slipped into a festive mood, with spectacular decorations, towering trees and sparkling Christmas markets. There are, however, some places where the festive fairytale is taken to another level. From New York to Paris and Vienna, these cities know how to celebrate Christmas in their own unique way.
Vienna
At this time of year, the Austrian capital is pure magic. Fairytale Vienna is one of the top destinations for Christmas, with millions of visitors choosing it for the holidays. The charm of the old town, the imposing palaces, the beautifully decorated Christmas markets, the romantic melodies, the fragrant strudels and the Viennese cafés lend the city a magical dimension. The fairytale is completed by the market on the central City Hall Square (Rathausplatz), which becomes each year one of the most photographed places in the world.
Quebec, Canada
The Old Town of Quebec is the only city in North America whose walls are still preservedin excellent condition. For this reason, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When the cobbled lanes and the 16th- and 17th-century buildings are blanketed in snow, you feel as if you are inside a living Christmas postcard.
London
With Oxford Street lighting up from early November, London is always one of the first cities to kick off the festive celebrations. The beloved metropolis knows how to stage pure holiday magic. People from all over the world flock to London for its dazzlingly decorated streets, imaginative window displays, open-air markets, ice rinks, concerts and endless shopping options. Winter Wonderland (Winter Wonderland) in Hyde Park and ice skating at Somerset House are some of the Christmas experiences you shouldn’t miss.
Bruges, Belgium
About 80 km. from Brussels, Bruges is a city that seems to have sprung from a medieval fairytale. Its medieval architecture remains intact and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Christmas, however, it becomes even more beautiful. It’s hard to imagine a more romantic place to spend the holidays, as you wander the cobbled lanes and storybook canals, go ice skating at the Christmas market’s rink and warm up with a cupof Belgian chocolate.
New York
New York at Christmas is a thrilling experience you should enjoy at least once in your life. From the famous Rockefeller Center ice rink andthe glittering Fifth Avenue window displays tocarriage rides in Central Park, Broadway shows and the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, the American metropolis lives Christmas to the fullest and sweeps you up with it.
Paris
The City of Light shines even brighter at Christmas. From the beautifully decorated Champs-Élysées and the show-stopping window displays to the spectacular decorations at Galeries Lafayette, ice skating with the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop and the Christmas markets set up in squares and in front of churches, Paris invites you to live the ultimate festive experience. World-class museums, bistros, patisseries, carousels and ice rinks in various corners of the city create an amazing Christmas atmosphere you’ll rarely find elsewhere.
Prague
It’s hard not to fall in love with Prague at Christmas. In the Czech capital, the festive scene includes street musicians with trombones and cellos, boat rides on the Vltava, concerts in 18th-century churches and nights in jazz clubs. The historic center, the large market in the Old Town Square with the masterful Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, the alleys of the historic Mala Strana district and, of course, the fairytale Castle will convince you that Prague is the perfect Christmas destination.
Rovaniemi, Finland
Is there a better Christmas trip than one to Santa Claus’s village? With its all-white landscape, snow-covered wooden cottages and intricate ice sculptures, there’s no doubt that Rovaniemi, the Finnish citynear the Arctic Circle, is the ideal place to get into the Christmas spirit. Sleigh rides pulled by reindeer and huskies and spectacular Northern Lights tours make the travel experience even more exciting.
Salzburg, Austria
Built at the foot of the Alps, this fairytale city in west-central Austria leaves no one unmoved. Imagine a setting with alleys that carry you back in time, architecture that dances between Baroque and Renaissance, palacesand an impressive castle gleaming high on the hill. Add to that the snow and Mozart’s melodies (Salzburg is the birthplace of the great composer) and you have the perfect Christmas getaway.
Strasbourg, France
Home to the oldest Christmas market in France (since1570) and a gorgeousOld Town, this picturesque Alsatian city near the German border seems tailor-made for Christmas lovers. At this time of year, Strasbourg feels like a vast festive fair. Traditional wooden stalls laden with local specialties, sparkling ice rinks, concerts and cultural events bring the atmosphere to life. They don’tcallit the «Capital of Christmas» for nothing.
