Europe is magical, isn’t it? Are you planning to visit Europe anytime in December? Why not check out this list of the 5 most stunning European cities during Christmas?! It is high time you visit these prettiest cities and tick them off your bucket list.

What can be more fascinating than gothic cathedrals, cute Christmas markets, handmade chocolates, unique souvenirs, fresh snow sticking to the ground, hot wine and the merriness of Christmas?! There are many other factors put together, that will make your European vacation an unforgettable one!

Stunning European Cities During Christmas!

• Prague, Czech Republic
• Paris, France
• Cologne, Germany
• London, England
• Rovaniemi – Lapland, Finland

1. Prague, Czech Republic One of the Fairytale European cities during Christmas!

Prague is unarguably a fairytale city in Europe, especially during Christmas! The city’s Christmas markets are one of the most famous ones in Europe with a magical backdrop, sparkling lights all over and trails covered in soft snow. It is the best place to just sit there, sip on scented mulled wine, explore the Christmas traditions, walk down the cobbled alleys that whisper ghost stories and fill your shopping bags with glistening souvenirs! Everything put together will make you feel like you have just stepped into a Christmas card!

And the cute little cafes sell Czech delicacies like spit-roasted hams making it more special. Not to miss the oldest and biggest market set in The Old Town Square animated by music and lights. Moreover, you can also spin on the ice-skating rink with a cup of hot chocolate or wine. Moreover, if you want a luxurious experience, why not try the most famous beer spa when in the Czech capital? Finally, you can also visit the astronomical tower which stands tall and majestic in the heart of the city.

Try out the best Central European cuisine from the local stalls and get to experience the best! This is your sign to book your tickets to Prague, right away!

Top Attractions

Old town Square Christmas Market, Ice skating, Mulled wine and Cathedrals

Must Try Food

Non-veg– Roast Duck with Cabbage and Dumplings, Pork Knee and Open Sandwiches

Veg– Veggie Gnocchi With Bryndza Cheese And Fried Onion, Fried Cheese, Bramboráky (potato pancakes), bread/fruit dumplings

Weather

Lowest– 0°C

Highest– 4°C

Also, Read- Best Christmas Markets in Prague

2. Paris, France

The French capital city is almost everyone’s favourite! Firstly, let us see what makes Paris so special and beautiful during Christmas! The soothing carols, shiny carousels, lit-up Eiffel Tower, cutest cafes with the aroma of freshly baked croissants and iconic monuments are some of the top attractions in Paris in December! Also, there is a wide range of day tours from Paris to the nearby villages that will leave you in awe! Of course, there are a thousand things to do in Paris but the Christmas markets make the city so vibrant and colourful!

Besides the Eiffel, you can have the best views of the Champs-Elysées, millions of sparkling lights in the boulevards and the centuries-old canals. Finally, you can also book a cruise and tour the River Seine, drink some vintage French Wine, eat authentic French snacks and encounter 100s of merry little Santasalong the way! The bustling streets, a plethora of luxury fashion brands for shopping, croissants, hot chocolates, lively nightclubsand millions of people enjoying the time of their lives make the city the epitome of fantasy! Most important, Paris is extremely chilly during winter, so pack accordingly!

Top Attractions

Street Christmas Markets, Disneyland, Ice Skating, Cruise trips on the River Seine, the Eiffel Tower, Cafe de Flore etc.

Must Try Food

Croissants, French macaroons, Pain Au Chocolat, grilled cheese/ cheese fondue, Gelato

Weather

Lowest– 3°C

Highest– 8°C

Also, Read- Disneyland Paris from the UK

3. Cologne, GermanyOne of the most magical European cities during Christmas!

This breathtaking city in Germany apparently gave birth to mulled wine and the custom of Christmas markets! How can you not visit this charming city when it is at its utmost beauty? This city is famous for its gothic cathedrals, themed Christmas fairs and markets, authentic German street food and desserts! The Belgian quarter, special carols and ancient museums make the city and Christmas an ultimate combination to visit! Especially, if you are someone who loves chocolates, my bets are that you will love the candies and chocolates here!

You can book your favourite day trips from Cologne, enjoy the nightlife with a hot mug of wine, escape the crowd by going on custom tours, and explore the culture and traditions of this pretty city. Also, you can dress up like Germans and click pictures in the Christmas markets for just €8-€15 per picture! To conclude, Cologne is one of the must-visit European cities during Christmas! Also, do not miss the amazing perfumes that will be the perfect gift for yourself!

Also, read- Must visit European cities during Christmas

4. London, England The best of all European cities during Christmas!

Where do I even start? It is beautiful how London makes me fall in love with its charm and magic every day! The largest and the capital city of The United Kingdom is one of the most lit and breathtaking cities to visit during Christmas! The crisp and chilly winter nights, hot chocolates with marshmallows, fairy lights all over the city, the iconic double-decker red buses and vintage red telephone booths altogether make London a super magical place. The vibe just teleports you to dreamland! DO NOT miss out on Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park which is the best of all worlds!

Just start visualising yourself in London on a cold winter night and continue reading! You just got down at Oxford Circus from the iconic red bus and you start walking down the streets. There are millions of tiny little lights twinkling all around you. It is almost 2°C or 3°C. You walk into the “Italian Bear Chocolate” shop and ask for a hot chocolate topped with cute marshmallows. Little did you know that it could potentially be the best-ever hot chocolate! The aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and pumpkin spice lattes call in! There’s soft music around and you have the perfect view of the most magnificent city! Life is just beautiful!

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is truly magical with a giant Ferris wheel, a Bavarian village with drinks and dance, a snow world, dance, music, and hundreds of food stalls with crisps, pasta, hot chocolate, churros, burgers, gelatos, fun rides, ice skating rinks, cultural shows and many other things to keep you busy the whole day!

Top Attractions

Oxford Street, Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, Baker Street, Bond Street, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Covent Garden, Camden Market and China Town!

Must Try Food

Hot chocolate, Churros with cinnamon sugar, English Brunch, England Afternoon Tea, Sunday Roast, Fish and Chips and Chicken Tikka Masala (The national dish of England!)

5. Rovaniemi – Lapland, Finlandone of the magical European cities during Christmas in the Arctic!

Finland, The Northern Lights during Christmas is nothing less than a match made in heaven! With its frosty landscapes, brightly lit trees, and elaborate ice sculptures, there’s no doubt Rovaniemi is one of the most magical European cities during Christmas. And can you believe that Santa Claus himself lives only 8 km away from this city??? Besides that, you can ride on sledges, cuddle husky mountain dogs that look like wolves, explore the Christmas markets and have the most unique Finnish food!

Finally, with postcard-perfect pink-hued mornings, the vibrant Santa Claus Village draws its main attention with, an eclectic array of Rovaniemi museums, a plethora of winter activities- reindeer rides, snowmobile safaris, and the Northern Lights tours! Besides the snow, this arctic village is one of the most breathtaking and must-visit European cities during Christmas!Are you ready to spend your Christmas in the Arctic-North Pole, fully covered in snow, with the Aurora lights- the natural phenomenon throbbing your heart?

And, if you are a stargazer, unarguably this is the best place for you to just lay down and get mesmerised by the fineness of this Santa Claus village!

Also, read- Visit the Santa Claus village- Rovaniemi

So, here we are! Have you booked your tickets yet? Well, I have booked my tickets for the Winter Wonderland in London which is returning a year after the pandemic! Of course, every city is beautiful and magical in its own way. Also, there are many other cities like Grindelwald (Swiss), Rome (Italy), Santorini (Greece), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Reykjavik (Iceland), Warsaw (Poland) and Edinburgh (Scotland) that are equally beautiful during Christmas! But, let me know which one is your favourite!

The post 5 Most Beautiful European Cities during Christmas!🎄❤️ first appeared on wbsdigital.

Christmas markets and light displays in London are some of the most spectacular in the world! Winter in London is truly magical! It’s also easy to get around London.

One of the coolest things about London’s Christmas lights is that they are completely and utterly free. Especially if you are visiting London with kids at Christmas, this is one of the most fun things to do for free.

While you are wandering around the top London attractions, you’ll no doubt catch some Christmas lights. This is because London is one of the most popular UK cities to visit at Christmas.

At Christmas, London becomes even more magical than usual. It’s filled with cute knickknacks and mugs of mulled wine. Ice rinks turn into cold weather hangout spots, and there are lots of Christmas tree farms around. For many, the twinkling lights draped from building to building are the most exciting sign that Christmas is here. Find more festive things to do this year with our ultimate guide to London’s stunning Christmas lights – from Kew Gardens’ annual light show to Regent Street’s famous angels and Carnaby Street’s colorful display.

1.KEW GARDENS

It’s no secret that Kew Gardens is one of the city’s most iconic spots, and its 2019 light show promises to be one of the most spectacular ever.

With sparkling pavilions, glittering tunnels, and some of the most Instagrammable trees around, this trail is the perfect place to celebrate some festive cheer with family and friends.

Craving some mulled wine, or perhaps a hearty selection of bites? The Coach & Horses is more than equipped to satisfy those cravings.

During Christmas at Kew in 2022, the gardens will present a redesigned route that accentuates more of the 12,000 trees in the gardens and other botanical treasures. Star-illuminated neon trees and branches under colorful canopies beckon you to explore.

LuminARTi’s Willow Hives, which take inspiration from natural forms to elegantly illuminate their surroundings, and ArtAV’s Starry Night will be among the new sights to marvel at.

Also, the projected light show will make you wish you spent more time than you realized on the lake. This is because the light appears to flow and disappear completely into an abyss as the light interacts with the surface of the water.

The Christmas at Kew light trail took place for the first time across the UK in 2013. The trend hasn’t faded at all. As a result, they have grown into one of the most captivating experiences in the UK. Now is the perfect time to visit if you’ve never been before.

2.OXFORD STREET

This big one with the utmost pleasure that we announce that the Oxford Street Christmas lights will return in November 2022. It is the twinklers that are always the talk of the town during the holiday season, glowing brightly and beautifully as they glow.

Have you ever walked down the high street and wondered where to warm up afterwards? In a cozy pub setting,

The Marquis of Granby in Soho offers classic pub grub and refreshing pints.

There will be some changes this year. Due to soaring energy bills and the cost of living crisis, the lights will only be on for a third of the time they normally would be. Between the hours of 3 pm and 11 pm each day, they will be activated. Wednesday, November 2 saw the stars of Oxford Street twinkle into action.

During the first day of the display, the lights were turned on for the first time in London. The switch-on party and celebrity presence were absent this year, unlike in previous years.

In the run-up to the festive season, the Central London hotspot becomes a popular holiday destination thanks to its beautiful Christmas lighting. This is a feature that contributes to the hotspot’s popularity as a shopping destination.

Christmas on Oxford Street kicks off this Wednesday (November 2), when the lights are set to flicker to life. Every night of the festive season, shoppers will be delighted by 5,000 stunningly illuminated stars in the 2022 display.

3.CARNABY STREET

As one of the city’s top festive events, the Carnaby Street Christmas lights always push the envelope with some of the most innovative looks. The designs highlight iconic Queen themes as well as promote environmental awareness.

The Clachan pub awaits you near Liberty once you’ve finished ogling at the sparkly stuff in its cozy space. Which one do we choose? A crisp pint pairs perfectly with a cocktail of king prawns and smoked salmon.

There is something pretty special about the lights along Carnaby Street, which light up the street in various fun, eccentric tributes spanning rock bands to robins to outer space.

In celebration of 25 years of delighting harried shoppers, Carnaby Celebrates will bring back some of the area’s all-time favorites. Night skies are filled with palm trees, Rolling Stones tongues, giant snowmen, and planets.

You won’t want to miss this year’s surprises… Featuring a mesmerizing medley of the most cherished pieces from the past and celebrating 25 years of lights and installations.

The historic installations at Carnaby incorporate 14 different themes, creating an exciting experience for visitors. In addition to Carnaby Street, Foubert’s Place, Ganton Street, and Newburgh Street, the installation illuminates the surrounding areas.

The iconic Carnaby arches are adorned with silver shimmer discs embellished with carnival decorations and a dazzling globe has been brought back to celebrate that ‘Carnaby Welcomes The World’.

4. OLD BOND STREET

A brand new homage to the monarchy will replace Bond Street’s traditional peacock feathers this year. A tiara-like string hanging high above the streets will hold 90,000 LED lights taking inspiration from the crown jewels. 

During Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee year in 2021, plans for the redesigned display began. This beautiful Christmas tribute to the departed monarch makes all the more sense following her death. Central London’s skies and footpaths are now illuminated by a lighted display.

King Charles’ coronation date may seem like a good time to announce the updated design, but the updated lights have actually been in development for over a year.

Their inspiration comes from the Crown Jewels and the numerous high-end jewelry stores that have remained on Bond Street for centuries. Old and New Bond Streets will be decorated with ‘necklaces’ strung at regular intervals across a tiara-like gateway at each end.

5.CHELSEA

Christmas lights are a tradition in London, and Chelsea is no different. Throughout the festive season, the lights will be turned on at 5pm every night, so make sure you venture to town soon to see them.

The late November switch-on marks the start of the neighborhood’s festive season with a charming twinkle across the storefronts and restaurants of Chelsea, Duke of York Square, and Sloane Square.

The occasion is marked by artisanal delights, seasonal cocktails, live entertainment, and winter terraces with blankets thrown over you as you drink mulled wine. A Bavarian curling rink is open all through Christmas, as well as Santa’s reindeer, glass bauble blowing, seasonal food, and more.

In Sloane Square, Father Christmas returns to a special Diptyque-scented grotto as the King’sRoad pedestrianizes for the second year in a row. On the King’s Road stage, you can expect performances that roam across the neighborhood and festive entertainment that is sure to delight.

You can also visit the holiday arcade at Duke of York Square (DOYS) to pick up festive foodie gifts while sipping glühwein or hot chocolate at the Fine Food Market’s Christmas edition. 

Making Christmas decorations from repurposed materials and blowing their own glass Christmas baubles are just some of the activities they can take part in at the Hole & Corner workshops. A running track outside the Saatchi Gallery will provide children with an opportunity to see Rudolph and all his reindeer friends. This will enable them to take off on their busy Christmas delivery schedule. 

The post   LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHT SIGHTS first appeared on wbsdigital.

First, I’ll start with all of the Christmas and seasonal attractions. I feel the main one to note is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. You might wonder how impressive a tree with some lights can be, but it is truly a spectacle and a definite must-see. While the average household Christmas tree typically ranges from 6 to 10 feet, the 2021 Rockefeller tree measured at a whopping 79 feet! We must have stood there admiring it for 30 minutes, so I would definitely put this at the top of your list.

From there, the Fifth Avenue department store displays are a short walk away. Again, you might think there is nothing impressive about a store’s window display, but these stores truly go all out for the holiday season. Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Macy’s Herald Square, and Bergdorf Goodman are all must-sees!

While in the area, you can head over to Radio City Music Hall to watch the Rockettes perform! Unfortunately, we did not have time to see a show but it is definitely an iconic NYC Christmas experience.

Would it really be a Christmas in New York without a little ice skating?! Whether you are professional or an amateur, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss out on. Wollman Rink in Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park Winter Village are all prime ice skating locations.

What better way to fulfill your inner child’s Christmas dream than to visit the three-story toy store, FAO Schwarz. It’s been featured in several films (does a ‘big’ dance-on piano ring a bell?) and has thousands of toys on display. While it can be crowded and a tad overwhelming (there was even a line to get in), it’s a fun excursion with or without kids!

If a toy store isn’t exactly the kind of shopping you had in mind, then head to the amazing holiday markets. These European-styled markets consist of hundreds of booths where you can enjoy a mulled wine while finishing up your Christmas shopping! Bryant Park Winter Village, the Union Square Holiday Market, and Columbus Circle Holiday Market are all top choices.

There are also plenty of non-seasonal tourist attractions that are still must-visits, especially if it’s your first trip!

One of our favourite experiences was visiting the Summit One Vanderbilt. Tickets are steep, with packages ranging from $39 to $73. We opted for the basic ‘SUMMIT Experience’ package, which we thought was incredible. You are first taken through ‘Air’, an immersive art exhibit. While impressive, the start of the show is ‘Levitation’, where you stand on transparent sky boxes (clear glass) over 1,100 feet above Madison Avenue. It is indeed as unnerving as it sounds, but the views are 100% worth it! It was amazing to see all of the sights NYC has to offer from just one room, and in our opinion it was the best view of the city.

Obviously, the Empire State Building is the most well-known skyscraper in the city (if not the world), and at 102-stories tall it is definitely a sight to see! Because we had already done the Summit One Vanderbilt, we decided to not go up the Empire State Building. However, there are observatories on both the 86^th and 102^nd floors, which we would love to buy tickets for on our next trip!

We were originally planning on taking a (free!) trip on the Staten Island Ferry for the best view of the Statue of Liberty. However, it was a particularly windy day and not ideal weather conditions for a boat ride. Instead we walked through Battery Park to the view point there, where you can see the statue, but it’s still pretty far away. Hopefully the weather is nicer on our next trip!

Central Park was another favourite. It was so relaxing to walk around the 843-acre park, looking at all of the greenery situated right in the middle of Manhattan! The park still provided great views of the skyline, and is a great choice if you want a break from walking through NYC traffic.

Another great experience was seeing the Brooklyn Bridge. Just over 1 mile long (approximately 2 kilometres), we decided to walk across it, from Manhattan to Brooklyn. It was a nice walk and provided great views. Once in Brooklyn, we stopped at the famous Time Out Market to have a cocktail and enjoy the view of the city!

New York is a TV-lovers dream, with recognizable sights all around and plenty of photo ops! Of course, I had to go see my favourite TV series apartment building in Greenwich Village. The Friends apartment is located on the corner of Bedford and Grove and it was such a cool experience to see it in real life! I also had to stop and see Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic brownstone from Sex and the City, situated in the West Village. And I couldn’t leave the city without taking a photo on The Met’s steps, a Gossip Girl fan’s dream!

Grand Central Terminal is another cite to make on your NYC trip. While it is still an operating train and subway station, the architecture and design of the terminal is beautiful. We didn’t spend too much time in there, but the building is incredible to look at.

I didn’t think I would be that impressed by Times Square, but I was wrong. There’s something about standing in the middle of the square at night, with all of the lights and changing signs, that remind you you’re in New York.

We loved walking through Chinatown and Little Italy (they’re right next to each other!) and seeing the local shops and restaurants. We had already eaten before heading there, so we didn’t get to try any of the local cuisine. However, we did stop at an Italian bakery to pick up a box of cannolis (one of my favourite desserts) to enjoy later!

A few restaurants to visit:

A slice (or two) of pizza is an absolute must when in NYC. When researching where the best New York-style pizza was, both Scarr’s and Joe’s were at the top of the list. So naturally, we had to try them both! They were both amazing, and I honestly could not decide between the two. So, I guess for now, we will be making stops to both restaurants on any future trips!

While this is a guide on where to go while in New York, the best recommendations obviously come from the locals – and we certainly got an amazing one. We knew that we definitely wanted Italian one night, and were hoping to get a table at the famous Carbone’s or Via Carota’s. With no chance of that happening, we received a recommendation for Supper located in the East Village. A quaint little cash-only and no reservations restaurant, Supper is now one of our favourites. We shared the spaghetti cacio e pepe, spaghetti al limone, and a bottle of Valpolicella Superiore (the BEST red wine). This will be a restaurant we will visit on every future NYC trip.

The world-famous Katz’s Delicatessen is actually the oldest deli in New York! A classic Jewish deli, you can find favourites such as pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, as well as other Jewish specialities. These sandwiches are called mile-high for a reason, they’re packed with meat. Unfortunately, as a vegetarian I couldn’t partake, but my boyfriend loved it so much he went twice!

Where to stay:

If money isn’t a problem, New York has plenty of famous and luxurious hotels. Go all out and stay at The Plaza, one of the most iconic 5-star hotels, which has been featured in several films and movies as well as housed Presidents, world leaders, and celebrities alike. Other luxury-stays include The Palace, The Knickerbocker, The Langham, and The Ritz.

If these hotels aren’t exactly in your budget, there are still plenty of practical places to stay in NYC! We stayed at Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley, located in the Lower East Side, and had an incredible experience. It was affordable and within our budget, while also situated in a prime location! We found and booked it through Airbnb, but it is essentially a hotel, with private rooms and bathrooms. While the rooms are small (it’s still NYC after all) it was spacious enough for the two of us, and we knew we would be sightseeing for the majority of the day! If you are looking for an affordable but comfortable stay, Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley is a great choice.

New York City is amazing at any time of the year, but the holidays are special. The entire city transforms for the season and it truly does feel magical. It’s nearly impossible to be bored in NYC, there is always something to do or see. Hopefully these recommendations are helpful in planning your dream, New York trip!

Stay tuned for my next blog post, a guide on spending the holiday season in London!

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