Viator

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Top 8 holiday destinations for a traditional Christmas

Everyone is coming up with lists of Christmas travel destinations as families prepare to enjoy the holidays. We have featured in our recent post warm Christmas destinations but for those who may be dreaming of chestnuts roasting on an open fire or maybe of white Christmas then this list is for you.

Vienna


If you will be in Europe this holiday season, then consider spending the Yuletide in Vienna, Austria.  This city is picture of postcard perfect elegance and warmth which spells the true meaning of the season.

Visit the Schonbrunn Palace which is among the most iconic monuments in Austria. The palace and the surrounding gardens give you a peek of the lifestyle of the country’s royalties. There are also classical concerts that you can attend at the City Hall for those who want to dig down into their emotions for that holiday spirit. Of course you don’t want to miss out on shopping gifts for your loved ones back home, and Vienna offers you Christmas markets which are considered as among the best in Europe.

Cologne


Everything comes alive in Cologne as the calendar hits December. Christmas traditions make sure you enjoy Christmas in terms of sight, smell, taste, hear, and feel. The best way to experience the holiday in Cologne is by going to the Christmas market by the Kolner Dom cathedral. The magic of the holidays are evident thru the Christmas lights all over the place, the music, the food, theaters, and smiles on everyone’s face.

Try their traditional delicacies and have some aromatic wine to keep you warm. There’s a ton of things to try while spending your Christmas in Cologne. Millions of people go to Cologne every year to enjoy a traditional Christmas. We are pretty sure the sheer number proves it all.

Bruges


Probably the best thing to do in Bruges, Belgium during the holidays is see how the city turns more beautiful than usual. Stroll along the streets of the medieval town and be amazed with the old buildings, bridges, quaint canals, and streets.

While in Bruges, don’t forget to gorge on Belgian chocolates! Watch the calories if you must but do not forget to enjoy the holidays. The city also has special events scheduled for the season and the sculpture festival where the works are made of ice and snow.

Prague


The Old Town of Prague is magnificent any time of the year you choose to visit. But if you will be there for Christmas, the colors, the lights, and the scents just makes it extraordinarily wonderful.  The Central Square shows everyone how Christmas is celebrated in this corner of the Czech Republic. See puppets, dance with locals, sing, and toys for children wherever your eyes turn. The markets, no matter the weather, are open every day. Aside from stuffing your shopping bags, try their Becherovka and Trdelnik and you will be guaranteed with a merry, merry Christmas.

Rovaniemi


This city in Finland is perfect for those who want to experience a magical Christmas.  Imagine this: You will be hearing Christmas carols as you walk along the street, enjoy the glitter of trees decorated for the holidays, see scenes of the nativity, reindeers might just be passing by your hotel window, and you experience this under the Aurora Borealis. Everything will remind you of how Christmas was explained to you when you were still young. Santa  is flying by? Who knows! ;)

Manila


Manila is the capital of the Philippines. Locals claim that the country celebrate the longest Christmas in the world. You can see Christmas decorations right after they celebrate the Halloween and the merry making stretches until the first few weeks of January. It is like crazy in terms of the lights along their streets, houses, and shopping centers. You have to bear with some heavy traffic  especially a few days before Christmas.

Filipinos are very warm and will be more than willing to share their Christmas with you. Enjoy their simbang gabi, good food, and close family ties. If you were to choose to celebrate Christmas in Asia, you can never go wrong to pick Manila. You also have a choice of 7,107 islands to hop onto after the holidays before you go back home and go back to your daily routines.

New York


NYC, the city that never sleeps. It gets pretty cold in Christmas, too. But there is something to a Christmas in New York that you cannot find anywhere else. In this very busy mega city, you will feel a sense of family when you see the giant tree at the Rockefeller, decors at the Sixth Avenue, windows at Macy’s, and the Central Park.  Some may call them a cliché but New York is pretty cozy come Christmas season.

Quebec


Great home cooked meals enjoyed by all generations explain what Christmas is like in Quebec. The narrow streets blanketed by snow, lights hanging by the trees, and Christmas songs in the air will make feel everyone at home. You can visit their Christmas market called Marche de Noel and find toys, maple products, baked goods, winter accessories, and liquors as well.

Posted via email from Supreme Clientele Travel