Christmas holiday ideas around the world

With Christmas once again on the horizon, Brits are looking for holiday ideas to make this festive season all the more memorable for the whole family.

Whether it be a visit to the cobbled streets of the Christmas markets of Europe's capitals, the glamour of New York's holiday season, a cruise around the world or a visit to the home of Father Christmas in Lapland, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice this year.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at some of the Christmas wonders of the world, and makes a few suggestions to make the holiday season go with a bang!

Christmas markets of Europe

Among the best Christmas markets in Europe is located close to home, in Hyde Park, London. Entry is free to the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, and features London’s largest outdoor ice rink, as well as a giant observation wheel, toboggan slide, an array of children’s rides.

Also on hand is a German style Christmas market, including over 50 stalls offering a variety of arts & crafts, as well as Germanic food & beverages, set in an atmospheric setting for Christmas shopping.

The Regent Street Christmas lights will also be switched on at 17:30 on Thursday November 6th – marking the beginning of the festive season in London’s West End.





Over in Europe Cologne is home to six Christmas markets. The four largest at centred on the Cologne Cathedral, the Alter Markt, the Neumarkt and the Rudolfplatz – which between them attraction some two million visitors.

The markets are open from November 24th to December 23rd, between 11:00 and 21:00 daily, with plenty of entertainment on offer, including a huge temporary ice rink on Heumarkt.

In France, the Lille Christmas market is extremely popular with Brits, in part due to the east of access provided by the Eurostar.

The month-long market opens on November 19th and continues until December 30th, and is held in the centre of town at the Place Rihour. A festive spirit builds as the big day approaches, with visits from Santa Clause and a wide selection of arts, crafts and local cuisine.

There is also entertainment for children, in the shape of theatre and games, and a chance to sample traditional French Christmas delicacies.

Finally, the Czech Republic takes Christmas very seriously. A key ingredient in the Czech festive magic are the markets which dot the country, with the biggest in the capital Prague.

Running daily between 09:00 and 19:00 from November 29th to January 1st, the main markets are located in the Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with smaller ones at Namesti Republiky & Havelske Trziste. Wooden stalls line each offering glass, wooden toys, scented candles, Christmas tree ornaments, hand-made jewellery and, of course, puppets – all of which can be explored with a glass of local mulled wine (svarene vino) in hand.

For more information on Christmas markets in the UK, Europe and around the world take a look at ChristmasMarkets.com.

Christmas Fairytale in New York

If one city on earth takes Christmas seriously, it is New York. Boasting festive department store windows, picturesque winter vistas and spectacular Christmas trees, menorahs and kinaras - the city comes alive as at no other time of the year.

Signalling the official start of the holiday season is the arrival of Santa Claus in Herald Square during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 27th – followed by a host of other spectacular events.

Among the most exciting is the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden, which will this year be the backdrop for the Cirque du Soleil production Wintuk. Telling the touching winter tale of a boy's quest for snow in an imaginary land, the show includes acrobatics, theatrical effects, and memorable songs. Tickets range from $40 (£25) to $220 (£140).

Shoppers also flock to the elaborately themed displays at a number of major department stores; including Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and Macy's.

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Centre, is also a favourite holiday production.

Arctic adventures in Lapland

For tourists the region is split into a number of different destinations.

For example Kilpisjarvi - a traditional Lappish village set in an idyllic location near the Norwegian border – offers families the perfect chance to meet Santa, while Kuusamo/Ruka presents a chance to explore the ancient traditions and ways of life of the region in a picturesque landscape.

Moreover, Salla - home to 10,000 reindeer – allows guests to partake in a variety of exciting activities; including husky sled-rides, snow shoeing and ice-fishing.

Although not a nation in its own right – in fact composed of sections of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia – Lapland recognises the euro as its currency and will welcome a host of international guests throughout the season.

A range of operators offer trips to the destinations, ranging from single day excursions to meet Santa, to longer stays featuring snowmobile safaris, igloo stays, and sleight rides.

Some of the larger tour operators include Lapland Santa Holidays, Lapland Holidays, and the slightly more adventurous Arctic Discovery.

For those unable to make the journey into the Arctic Circle, Lapland UK seeks to recreate the magic of the region, right here the in the UK.

Taking place at the Bewl Water Estate, Kent, between November 10th and Christmas Eve, the experience begins with a visit to Father Christmas’s toy factory, where the children train as apprentice elves and includes a chance to help Mother Christmas in her Gingerbread house.

The highlight of the day will, of course, be a personalised private audience with Father Christmas in his snowy woodland home, where extra-special memories will be created.





Christmas in the Caribbean

Over on Grenada the 31st annual Carriacou Parang Festival season climaxes during the weekend of Friday 19th – Sunday 21st December 2008.

Festivities begin on Friday with a free open-air concert in the streets of Hillsborough featuring carol singing, cultural presentations and parang string bands, followed by house to house 'paranging' (carol singing) all night.

On Saturday night guests can enjoy live performances from entertainers from around the world, while on Sunday parang groups from villages throughout Carriacou, Grenada and Petite Martinique compete for the challenge trophy and cash prizes, performing a compulsory Christmas Carol and their selected piece.

Traditional Carriacou celebration dances such as the Quadrille and Big Drum will also spice up the night.

Meanwhile, Montserrat is inviting guests to exchange the grey winter weather of the UK for a colourful Christmas carnival on the Caribbean island.

The island's version of the traditional Caribbean carnival has its own unique flavour due to the island’s mixed cultural heritage and its occurrence over Christmas. It begins on December 12th and carries on until New Years Day, and is very family-oriented - offering smaller, more intimate activities in a relaxed, friendly and safe atmosphere.

Activities on offer include masquerade performances, informal street dancing, a night of steelpan music, pageant shows, a Calypso competition, and carol singing on Christmas Day.

Finally, Jamaica. The island will host two festivals over the festive period.

The first, the East Fest, takes place in Kingston December 27th this year and is based on family tradition handed down from the grandmother of event producers - Morgan Heritage.

The objective is to focus on creating a family celebration on the last Sabbath of each year, and includes traditional and folklore forms being presented and culminates with a main concert showcasing conscious Artiste such as Morgan Heritage, Fanton Mojah, Luciano, and Beres Hammond.

The Harbour Fest and Fireworks takes place slightly later, on December 31st at the Waterfront, Kingston.

Guests are invited to join in the warm and welcoming melting pot of over 100,000 pride filled Jamaicans from across the island, ringing in the New Year with the phenomenal fireworks display on the Down Town Harbour.

This free event will feature kiddies' village, a massive craft vendors arcade, and a great family entertainment on stage.

Cruising toward Christmas

For those looking to spend Christmas at sea, there are a number of cruise ideas on offer – taking in some of the most stunning locations in the world.

Among the most luxurious is the Winter Mediterranean fly-cruise, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. Aboard the Norwegian Jade, operating out of Europe for the first time this winter, the 14-night cruise departs Barcelona on December 21st 2008, travelling to Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Alexandria (overnight), Rhodes, Izmir (Ephesus), Piraeus (Athens) and Valletta.

Prices start at £1,399 per person, with more information available at the NCL website.
P&O Cruises is also offering a 16-night trip around the Mediterranean, taking in seven ports in six countries. Included on the itinerary is Lisbon, Gibraltar, the 'White Bride of the Mediterranean' Tripoli, Malta and a host of other European sites.

Prices start at £2,289, with the voyage taking place aboard the Arcadia.

Finally, DFDS Seaways is offering a slightly more modest three-day cruise to Aarhus, Denmark.

Including two night aboard ship and one at the Scandic Plaza Hotel, guests be able to take advantage of the excellent Christmas shopping, spectacular scenery and fine Danish cuisine.

Christmas O'Toole