Living in Culture

Merry belated Christmas! I recently stumbled upon an article detailing some of the best places to spend the holidays. It may be a little late to book a trip for the holidays. However, these places are beautiful all year round, and they are exceptional in the winter months.

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is known to have some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. They run from the end of November to the beginning of January. The main market is in the city’s main square, Markt. The square is covered in holiday decorations and handmade items are sold on every corner. You can also taste the delicious Belgian hot chocolate to warm you up from the cold winter breeze. There are many Christmas trees across the city, however, in the square there is a large one in the holiday market. There’s also a smaller market in Simon Stevinplein that’s known for its artisan crafts and food stalls.

Salzburg, Austria

This city was where the Christmas carols Silent Night originated, and has a beautiful backdrop of snowcapped mountains. There are many Christmas markets, and the main one is called Christkindlmarkt. It is filled with tourists doing some holiday shopping, thousands of lights, and carolers spreading holiday cheer. This city is where Mozart was born and the Sound of Music was filmed, leading it to have deep musical roots. Carols fill the air, contributing to the happy spirit of the city. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city to see the decorations and decor. Finally, if your family loves to ski, this is the place for you. The slopes are about an hour away and during winter, the slopes and resorts are bursting with skiers.

London, UK

There is a magical feel in London during Christmastime. There are festive hotels and Christmas lights on every street. Many enjoy the ice skating rink in Hyde Park and taking a double-decker bus around the city. However, bundle up before you visit, as it gets cold, especially at nighttime. A year-round activity that feels especially fun around the holidays is taking a ride on the London Eye. The 443-foot Ferris wheel takes you on a 30-minute ride, allowing you to see almost all of the city filled with all things Christmas.

New York City

This list wouldn’t be complete without one of the biggest cities in the world, New York City. From the large Christmas tree to the Rockettes at Radio City music, the city embodies the Christmas Spirit. If you find yourself in the Big Apple during the holidays, you can go ice skating and see the famous Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center, visit holiday markets in Union Square, or take a carriage ride around the city. The city is full of activities all the way until New Year’s Day. There is a ball that drops right as the large crowd in Times Square helps bring in the New Year.