As the festive season comes round again, we are all ready to embrace the spirit of Christmas and get prepared for the big day. The holidays are a great time to see old friends and meet up with family, but what if this year you wanted to do something different for Christmas? Countries across the globe celebrate yuletide joy in a variety of ways, from cultural events to odd traditions. Here are some of the best places for you to visit to experience a slightly different Christmas:
Nuremberg
Nuremberg encapsulates the meaning of Christmas; the decorations, the food and the family feel come to the city during the holiday season. One tradition that the city is famed for is its legendary Nuremberg Christmas Market (or the Nürnberger Christkindlesmarkt). Many of Germany’s Christmas markets have moved away from their authentic and traditional roots, but the Nuremberg Council ensure that only seasonal goods and hand-crafted gifts are made. With over 200 stalls, the market also has some fantastic German delicacies such as spiced gingerbread, mulled wine and schnitzels for visitors to indulge in.
New York
For anyone who is a fan of Home Alone 2, you will know how much New York gets into the yuletide spirit. The main attraction is the Christmas tree at the famous Rockefeller Centre, standing at approximately 25 metres tall and decorated with over 30,000 fairy lights. Central Park is also ablaze with Christmas spirit, with one of the most popular activities being skating around the festive ice rink. All of New York’s stores embrace the holiday, with impressive window displays and handcrafted Christmas gifts available, with the Macy’s Santaland being a must see.
Las Vegas
Another city in the States that deserves a mention is the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. The Bellagio turns its Botanic Gardens into a winter wonderland for adults and children to enjoy.
London
Famed for its snowy Christmas scenes in films like Love Actually and Bridget Jones’ Diary, London is one of the most iconic cities in the world during the festive season. If you are looking to go on a shopping spree, London offers an excellent range of stores, from high street dealers to independent craft shops, so you can pick the ideal gifts for your loved ones. One of the biggest parts of British culture is the old fashioned pantomime, renowned for damsels in distress, evil villains and hunky heroes. London’s West-End and theatres are full of pantomimes during the build up to Christmas, so there are plenty to chances to go catch one.
