ESL Blogs

Hello everybody! Would you like to enjoy a magic Christmas scenery during a marvellous travel? I really would like it! So, I gathered on a list a few nice towns to visit if you intend to travel during this enchanting season. Let's get started!

1 - Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the capital city of region called Lapland considered the official Santa's headquarter. It is located on the Artic Circle, eight hundred kilometers north of Helsinki, capital of Finland. Winter temperatures can reach incredible - 50° C and snow is most of the time present. It's a worth destination because you can have the real experience of visitting the Santa Claus Village. There, you can take a ride on a reindeer sleigh or learn how to bake a gingerbread with Santa Claus. Ho ho ho!

2 - Strasbourg

It's the 'Christmas Capital' in France. Strasbourg is known to have the oldest Christmas market in Europe since 1570, the "market of the Infant Jesus". That's why Strasbourg keeps on being ranked on the best Christmas destination lists again and again. The market draws attention from people all over Europe. The best time to visit it's between 28th November and 31st December.

3 - London

As a global city everybody knows something about London, like the famous big red buses or the Big Ben Tower. But, when it comes to Christmas times the English capital doesn't get behind too. London really has several entertainments to offer to its tourists this specific time. It shows amazing set of  decorative lights through city streets, intense markets along Thames River and Hyde Park, ice rinks under landmark buildings and Santa's grottos.

4 - New York

By far, it looks like the most preferred destinations by people when we're talking about Christmas holidays. One of the main spots for tourists, like you and me, it's the Christmas tree placed inside Rockfeller Center. It's been a tradition for 80 years! There, you can go skiing on an ice rink  that is 77 years of tradition. On the other hand, it's also possible to go ice skating at Central Park, where there are two ponds for doing that. Maybe, you prefer taking a look at shop's windows  or even buying something on the Fifth Avenue, which puts together the most famous brands in the world. It's a Christmas for all tastes!

5- Montreal

This city has a strong French culture. The annual Santa Claus Parade is a tradition from 1925, that gives a colourful touch to the city. There are several fairs with French-inspired foods like buttery pastries, besides weekly fireworks at the Old Port.

6- Copenhagen

This is the capital of Denmark. The reduced sunlight in the Christimastime don't make it a sad place at all. You can enjoy the Tivoli's Gardens which become a winter one. The attractions are due to the Christmas Carnival, an ice palace and a light show on Tivoli Lake. Other activities that are worth checking out: taking a horse carriage around the Kronborg Castle and admiring the lights at the Straget street, the longest shopping one in Europe.

7- Sydney

If you like an unconventional and warm Christmas this destination is made for you. You can spend Christmas Eve taking a sunbath and  Christmas Day on the beach tasting a barbecue. Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Town Hall gets so bright because the Christmas lighting this period.

8 - Prague

It's a city with incredible gothic style and unique folkloric culture. You will find in most of the local markets features of local tradition, like ladies wearing typical Czech dresses and trdelník, a sugary pastry. Christmas music ammateur groups can be seen in festivals.

9 - Valkenburg

 This is a city in the Netherlands where the Christmas parties are focused on. On the Velvet's Cave you'll find the Santa Claus' home, his present's room and reindeer sleigh. The cave also keeps a 18th-century chapel and well-preserved Roman time's drawings on a mural.

10 - Barcelona

The Christmas commemorations go until 5th January, the Three King's Day. Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar arrives 4th January evening on the Santa Eulalia's port in a splendorously way. The mayor holds them the city's key starting the festivities. A parade wanders through the city streets including animals and beautiful costumes.