A new Christmas is coming, after a couple of Christmases that have gone down in history due to the pandemic. It is time to really celebrate, to meet the family and know how to appreciate life.
If one had money to travel the world, what would be Favorite destinations to travel at Christmas?
Santa Claus Village, Finland
This site is very popular. is inside the Arctic Circle, in Finland, and it is a place that really breathes Christmas. The village itself is a pretty place, a kind of Christmas amusement park, but it offers more.
here you can also dog sledding, snow walking, reindeer and sunset viewing spectacular and even, if you are a child, become Santa's helper when it comes to assembling gifts and studying magic.
New York, USA
I guess New York has become a Christmas classic due to the movies and TV series. The American cultural industry is very powerful when it comes to installing classics, so many people long to spend Christmas in this city.
New York is filled with multicolored lights, of shop windows decorated with Christmas motifs, with ice skating rinks and the huge Christmas tree of Rockefeller Center. And if you like ballet, you can attend the Nutcracker, performed by NY Ballet. A beauty.
Vatican
If you are very Catholic, you may like the idea of spending Christmas in the Vatican. The Vatican is magical for these dates, with mangers everywhere and the unmistakable aroma of roasted chestnuts in the air.
La Saint Peter's Square, Piazza Navona or the beautiful nativity scene in the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli They are the most classic. And of course, at midnight the midnight mass in St. Peter's Basilica and the next day, at noon.
Dublin, Ireland
The capital of Ireland is also a place that breathes Catholicism and is a beautiful city to spend the holidays. a Christmas market that lasts twelve days, in the Docklands, there are lights throughout the city, you can ice skate and in the Temple Bar area it comes to a special life.
In Dublin you can enjoy the Christmas carols from St. Patrick's Cathedral and the show offered by the brave who jump into the sea on the morning of December 25 in the Forty-Foot pool.
Zurich, Switzerland
The whole of Switzerland is a Christmas postcard, don't you think so? Mountains, snow, lakes, cobbled streets and perfect neatness, any corner of Switzerland can be featured in a magazine. In Zurich for these dates a very colorful market, there is even one inside the train station, there are guided walks and Christmas carols are heard everywhere.
especially around the Werdmuhleplatz tree. Here a triangular stage covered in green and many lights is set up, and up there a young choir is planted that spends its time singing.
Tokyo, Japan
Although Japan is a Buddhist country, there are very few Christians, Christmas is lived with a lot of partying. The city is decorated with an infinity of lights, And they even change them between Christmas and New Years. Although the Japanese celebrate the passing of the year more, Christmas is also present so it is worth coming and enjoying.
Lights and decorations that invite more romance than religious celebration. The Japanese organize everything perfectly and, believe it or not, the typical food is fried chicken with sponge cake with strawberries and cream. The thing about fried chicken comes from a tradition that the American fast food chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken, managed to establish.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Did you know that San Juan de Puerto Rico, the capital of this country, celebrates Christmas with a lot of personality? That's right, the island will be small but it does know how to celebrate, like every Caribbean country. The sauce is present and the classic dish is grilled pork.
The festivities here begin very early in December and last until January 6, Three Kings Day. Later, since mid-December, the city's churches offer mass at sunset with groups of people who sing Christmas carols from house to house.
The party is on Christmas Eve, which is followed by the midnight mass. And to take photos and see the Christmas spirit of this country, you have to walk through the town hall that is in the Plaza de Armas or along the boardwalk, the Paseo de la Princesa.
Vienna, Austria
Another European capital whose Christmas is magical. If you want to experience a Christmas like years ago, with that magical aura, then Vienna is ideal. Everything is decorated and there are three outdoor Christmas markets to eat and shop.
And of course, you have to listen to the Vienna Boys Choir.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is another enchanted city for these dates. Its gothic architecture and folklore traditions make it absolutely special. There is, of course, christmas markets beautifully decorated with wooden stalls selling handicrafts and delicacies (cold meats, sweets and Czech pastries such as trdelnik).
In the old town square you will see a complete stable being set up: with animals, goats, donkeys and sheep around the manger. Add Christmas lights and music and you have a Christmas a la Prague.
Strasbourg, France
Strasbourg is one of the most popular Christmas destinations in Europe because it offers so much for these dates. There are several Christmas villages that transform the city into a wonderful world of lights, aromas and gastronomic delights.
In the Alsace Farm VillageFor example, visitors can try plums, pineapples and other foi gras christmas specials. In another, the Bredle village, you will be able to try the typical Christmas cookies from Strasbourg, marinated with the spiced wine of Alsace.
And all this within the framework of a special program that the city puts together, with concerts and various cultural events.
Barcelona, Spain
Other favorite destination to travel at christmas It is this Spanish city. Barcelona is a beautiful city all year round, but around this time it really comes alive. There are many markets to walk, eat and shop. For example, there is the Fira de Santa Lucia, is the oldest of all with more than 200 years of life. It is set up on Avenida de la Catedral, and has 175 stalls with a little of everything. The Giant Uncle presides over the square and waits for the children.
There is also the Sagrada Familia Christmas market with around 50 stalls, with manger included. You can try nougat, sweet potatoes, chestnuts and churros and there are workshops that you can participate in. For concerts, attractions, lights and fireworks you can get close to Nadal to Port, since from December 5 to January 6 here Christmas is breathed.
Finally, you cannot fail to know the classic nativity scene of Sant Jaume and the others who settle around the city, taking a tour to meet them all.
So far then some of the favorite destinations to travel at christmas. It must be said that the whole world acquires another atmosphere, but these cities, without a doubt, are among the most popular to spend these special dates.