Joanna James
Christmas is the time for cheer with happy smiles on faces and excited kids waiting for the night of Santa's visit to arrive. This festival is celebrated by all and therefore goes beyond the boundaries of religion. While some like to spend Christmas at home, others love to explore what the season is like in other parts of the world. Here are some of the best places to spend your Christmas this year if you are planning on travelling with family.
What better place to truly dive into the meaning of this celebration than in the birthplace of the saviour Jesus Christ? Manger Square and the old city are sure to fill you with wonder on these special days in December. The best Christmas celebrations take place at St. Catherine's Church during midnight mass.
If you love the mystical character of Santa Clause, Lapland in Finland is the place to be. The fat man dressed in red and white with big black boots is seen around the city. You can even follow Santa into the forest filled with reindeer where his workshop lies. Witness Santa's elves at work and simply melt away into a marvellous world of magic.
When it comes to all things Christmas from huge pine trees adorned in colourful lights and decorations to a light snowfall, New York offers this and so much more. Luxury hotel chains the likes of Pan Pacific Corporate in the city organise Christmas brunches with classic treats like turkey. The entire atmosphere comes alive with crowds dressed in winter clothing on the streets doing their shopping for the season. The hundreds of Christmas movies out there is proof of how much the season means to the locals here.
This city is popular even on non-seasonal days, but come Christmas, many Christians head to this amazing destination to witness its festivities. Celebrations begin on the 8th of December with the unveiling of the Christmas tree at St. Peter's Square. Thousands flock to St. Peter's Basilica to be part of the celebratory high mass at midnight on Christmas Eve.
The celebrations in this part of the world begin in early December and there is certainly much to see and do here. Starting with the yearly Light Festival on the 1st of December, all the buildings by the canals are decorated in magical-looking lights. Amsterdam Winter paradise also opens during the Christmas week along with the Christmas market and a whole host of other festive events to be part of.
Christmas is definitely the best time of the year across the world and so it is the same in Munich in Germany as well. A massive tree, probably 100 ft tall is set up on Marienplatz and dozens of Christmas markets fill the streets. But the best thing to try during this time would be mulled wine and gingerbread server to passers-by on a tram. There is also live Christmas music to be enjoyed everywhere you go.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
