The beautiful Nuremberg flea market
Once set, the best thing is to get carried away by the trail of lights and follow the trail of the Christmas trees that dot the most aesthetic corners of all corners of Europe. Buy yourself a hat, don't forget your gloves and let spontaneity rule the festivities for once.
1. ice rinks
They are certainly a great invention, whether you are one of those who like to skate or those who like to watch the skids of others. Between colored lights, mulled wine and regional songs, it will surely be easy for you to think that you are a king of filigree , and if it turns out that it is not, nothing happens, the spirit of Christmas will overlook your slips. Do not miss the spectacular skating rink of witches , that of the Eiffel Tower Paris , or that of the eternally beautiful Edinburgh.
The popular ice rink in Bruges
two. HOT WINE
The Glühwein is quite an invention if you like to get warm without spending a lot of time clapping your hands. Undoubtedly a success to walk the streets of Central Europe during the long pre-Christmas nights. The origins of this mulled wine are set in Germany , but the truth is that you will find it in a good part of Europe without problems. The smell is unmistakable and the effect, if you go overboard with the colorful and apparently harmless ceramic cups in which they serve it, too. Dare with him in Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden or the Czech Republic. Each country has its spices and its secret formula.
A stall of Glügwein, the mulled wine
3. THE CRACKERS
It is the quintessential British invention and by extension of all the countries of the commonwealth , a cardboard tube lined with bright colors and with a rubber band at each end so that in any celebration It takes two to open it and fight for the trophy it hides inside. Yes, the British love to compete, also at Christmas, but as they are ardent admirers of the fair game you will have no problem in getting your particular treasure. Actually his thing is to enjoy crackers among many friends, letting the laughter mix with his unmistakable crack.
Christmas crackers and mince pie
Four. CHRISTMAS MARKETS
A real temptation in the open air. Perfect if you like to decorate your home with scented candles, eye-catching tree balls, intricate flower crowns or dainty colored candies. Every year fashions change and the offer expands, but the classics are still essential. don't miss the Nuremberg flea market , one of the most beautiful and ancient, that of Helsinki in the mythical Aleksanterinkatu street, the place where Santa Claus was born, that of Prague with its brand new Christmas tree or the shocking and still unknown image of the Tallinn market, a full-fledged Christmas story. If you want something more traditional, slide to the Plaza Mayor in Madrid or take a stroll through the most alternative markets in Spain.
L'Étè in A Coruña, an essential for your Christmas gifts
5. ADVENT CALENDAR
An original countdown that sails from the 1st to the 24th of December. It comes in the form of a die-cut panel full of small details to encourage you to fight the cold and depending on the designs you can find everything from sweets to miniature books. If you have children nearby, remember that the tradition comes from medieval Germany , where the smallest they lit a candle for each day of december.
In the alpine markets Munich You will find a thousand excuses not to return without yours. Don't miss the flea market marienplatz , wonderful if you also want to complete your purchases with artisan houses for the Nativity scene. The atmosphere seems to be taken from a postcard and live music from the balcony of the City Hall animates the cold December afternoons. If you want to aim for more original designs, don't miss the Sendlinger Flea Market , also in the capital of Bavaria, 40 stalls full of seductive temptations.
Marienplatz flea market in Munich
6. GINGER SWEETS
Yes, in all the Christmas markets you will be flooded with the smell of ginger, powerful and unmistakable, capable of lifting anyone's spirits. But it is that you will also be happy to collect their designs in the shape of a heart, star, snowflake or huggable doll. Colored sugar and an unmistakable paste that will always remind you of Christmas . Look out for the sweets at the flea market olomouc , those of Lille , Strasbourg or London itself, in that of south bank You will also find the unmistakable mince pie, that fruit mince pie halfway between sweet and very sweet that the British love.
ginger candy
7. ON DAY 31... GRAPES OR LENTILS?
The fireworks in London, the festival entertainment on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, the traditional lentils with pork leg from Rome , symbol of the abundance that we expect for the new year or the mythical twelve spanish grapes . All of Europe takes to the streets on the 31st to celebrate the most anticipated premiere. Make a reservation at a good restaurant and let yourself go with the flow, surely you will start the year full of anecdotes.
8. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIGHTING
The Christmas lights illuminate the languid autumn evenings earlier and earlier. It seems that the cold is better fought between white stars and neon snowflakes. A luxury if you like glitter. Don't miss the lighting London, Paris or Berlin if you like big displays . The center of Vienna, the Grand Place in Brussels, the bridges of Ljubljana or the canals of Amsterdam are excellent to complete the photo. If you are looking for a postcard image, go to Dubrovnik to live all the contrast of the lights against the great blue of the Mediterranean.
A thousand lights around you in Hamburg
9. CHRISTMAS CAROLS
If you listen to Silent Night performed by a choir in a small church surrounded by snow and medieval cobblestones, it is likely that you will never again mutter Christmas materialism. Music is essential at these festivals and tradition rules. It is essential to visit Salzburg or Vienna , with its tremendous New Year's concert, but also Milan, Brussels or Paris. Europe is full of recitals charged with emotion and excellent professionals.
10. NATIVITIES
Also called births, mangers, mysteries or little steps. The Nativity Scene recreates the birth of Jesus in a portal and the imagination is fired when you have to prop up the imaginary town in which he saw the light, which by the way, judging by European tradition, has little to do with the desert lands of the ancient judea. Is the same. In Germany you will find alpine nativity scenes, for example in the Munich Nativity Market , in France, fragrant Provençal shepherdesses, in the delicious market of Nativity Scenes of Marseille , in Gozo, Malta, a careful living Nativity Scene and in Spain you will feel proud to have one of the most original in Europe.
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Munich, a city that loves nativity scenes