Christmas Vacation: 5 of the best cities to spend your Christmas season

Christmas is a time everybody looks forward to, and for some it is the most exciting time of the year. Long school holidays, festive spirit, end of the year, partying, xmas sales etc. There is actual a lot to look forward to as the year comes to an end, and one of which is the Christmas vacation. While some cities sleep during the festive season, some have the sweet smelling of Christmas everywhere, with the Christmas green and red colours and festive lights adorning every public building , streets and houses. In this blog post, I am going to give you the 5 best cities in the world where you can have the Christmas of your life. so sit back, relax and read.

1. New York City, USA

The best time of the year to visit New York is the festive seasons at the end of the year. Christmas in New York is like a script out of a movie with happy ending, it is simply magical. This city does not go to sleep at Christmas. The festive spirit in New York is second to none, from the decorations, the snow, the lights that illuminates the city, the people, the restaurants, the shops, everything in the city celebrates the birth of Christ. There is a lot of fun activities to do during the festive season in New York and once you experience this season in New York, you will always want to be there again and again. So, here are some of the things to look out for in New York.

Christmas Eve Dinner Cruises: The christmas eve cruise takes you along the hudson river as you enjoy your dinner cruising through New York City. This is filled with so much fun and it is magical. Once you step on board the cruise, you are given a glass of wine and then you can settled down with loved ones and have your dinner and enjoy the wonderful views of the city. one thing that you should know is that on christmas eve, most restaurants in the city are booked out and also the cruise will have limited seats, so always book in time either to the restaurants in the city or the christmas eve cruise. Book here for your dinner cruise and enjoy the wonderful scenery of the city.

Christmas Light Tour of Dyker Heights: During christmas in New York the decorations of houses are magical, everyone tries to outdo the other. However, Dyker heights in Brooklyn is the best decorated neighbourhood and when you are in New York, it is a must see. The lights are put up just after thanksgiving until new years eve but the best time to see the lights is the middle of December. There is a bus tour of Dyker heights that last between 3 to 5 hours and cost between $45 to $90 depending on the locations toured, but it is worth every penny as the atmosphere in the bus is filled with the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Centre: One of the highlights of the festive season in New York is the now famous Christmas tree in Rockefeller centre that comes up from the beginning of December. If you happen to be in New York at that time, there is a big ceremony before the tree is lit. A live concert holds on the evening and the tree comes alive by 10pm. The crowd begins to gather from 2pm and will be around till 10pm. It is tiring to hang around in the cold, so some restaurants and locations hold tree lighting parties, where you can have good food, music and a good view of the centre as you wait for the tree lights to come on. So, look out for this party when you are in New York and book a ticket as soon as it becomes available, because the rush for the tickets are mad. The tree will be on display till the new year’s eve, so you can see it as many times as you want during your vacation.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is next on my list of cities that knows how to celebrate their Christmas season. Call it fairy tale, magical, and you will be dead on target. The city gets into holiday mood from the 14th of November when Saint Nicholas and Black Peter arrives. This is an annual event that heralds the beginning of the festive shopping time that ends on the 5th of December, which is the eve of Saint Nicholas day. So the festive season begins in November and continues to January. Amsterdam is dressed up in Christmas during this season and so when you are in Amsterdam, the Christmas spirit engulfs you, and that is what anyone will want during a Christmas vacation. There are a lot of things to do in Amsterdam during the festive season that will make you want to keep coming back. lets take a look at a few.

The Amsterdam light festival: This is an annual event that runs from late November to mid January. During the festival, light artworks are used to light up the city. Hundreds of ideas are submitted each year, and a committee will then select the best of the lot between 20-30, and these will be used to illuminate the city. The festival is held within the canal ring and so you can join a 75 minute boat cruise to see this beautiful sight.

Amsterdam Christmas markets: During the festive season, Amsterdam will have Christmas markets everywhere, and you can buy local foods and gifts for your family and friends, this setting brings out the Christmas spirit even more. Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein are two of the more popular and famous markets. Sales in Amsterdam begins during Christmas and so you can add shopping in the cities well known shopping centres in your things to-do list.

Christmas concerts in Churches: A lot of churches will hold concerts where you can enjoy carols and Gregorian music. So this wont be a bad idea to go get more feel of the season. After all, what can get you more into the spirit of the season than a rendition of while Shephard watched their flocks by night?

Other very interesting things that you can do in Amsterdam during your Christmas vacation includes, tour of the city, go to the museum, go to the cinema, and of course have dinner and enjoy the local Dutch dishes in a restaurant in Amsterdam.

3. Vilnius, Lithuania

The old town of Vilnius offers you more than a fairy tale and magical Christmas along the narrow streets of Vilnius. Christmas in Vilnius will offer you one of the best festive moods you can get anywhere in the whole world, to say the least, Christmas in Vilnius really underrated. It is a whole month of unending fun, from concerts to ride in Christmas train and seeing one of the most impressive Christmas tree in the world , Vilnius will give you value for your money. Lets look at the things that will keep you and your family busy during your vacation.

Vilnius Christmas market: The Christmas market in Vilnius is one of the best in Europe, it runs from end of November to the beginning of January . You will spend a long time going form stall to stall, because you will be spoilt for choices for gifts for family members and friends. So during your vacation to Vilnius, this is one place you should visit to buy very unique hand made goods. You can also join a Christmas market tour of other Baltic cities and see the markets in Riga, Latvia, Estonia and Tallinn. After all there is nothing wrong with killing two birds with one stone.

Christmas tree at the cathedral square: Every year Vilnius comes up with different arrangement for its Christmas tree at the cathedral square. So, if you have seen it in previous years, trust me, you are in for a surprise the next time you visit. The Christmas tree is now a tourist attraction and everybody talks about it. Trying to describe it in writing will not do justice to it, because, how can one write about the atmosphere around the tree. So this is a must see during your vacation.

Vilnius Christmas spells adventure: When you are in Lithuania, you have to behave like a Lithuanian. What other way to learn the culture of Lithuania than joining the Christmas spell adventure? During the tour, you will learn of the pagan festive cultures, tour the Christmas market, enjoy local treats and Christmas dishes, and of course meet new people rather than holed up in your hotel room.

4. Sydney, Australia

One word to describe Christmas in Sydney is beautiful. Sydney is a very beautiful multiracial city and so Christmas in Sydney will be multifaceted. For the whole month of December, the spirit of Christmas will literally envelop the city as the Christmas lights, trees and decorations covers every nook and cranny of the city. There will be heaps of activity throughout the festive season and that will make your vacation worthwhile. from carols, eating at the city’s wonderful restaurants, meet and greet with Santa and also shop at Christmas markets. here are few things you can do in Sydney during your vacation.

Christmas day on Bondi beach: On Christmas day the best place to be will be at the iconic Bondi beach. When in Sydney, this is the perfect spot for the Christmas day celebration because every other person will be there. Hundreds of tourist and Sydneysiders will swarm the beach dressed in Christmas hats and dance to loud music as they start an impromptu dance party. It is really fun and one nobody will want to miss. Why go to Sydney for Christmas vacation, if you wont be at Bondi beach on Christmas day?

Woolworth carols in the Domain: This is a free Christmas concert held in the Domain gardens and holds on the last Sunday before Christmas. It features both local and international artiste and also guest appearances. The concert attracts over 80,000 people and it is beamed live to every state in Australia and New Zealand. So if you are on vacation in Sydney during the yuletide, this is a must-not-miss activity.

Dinner harbour cruise: After the fanfare at the Bondi Beach, you can head to the Captain Cook, Vagabond or Magistic cruises and celebrate the evening with dinner on the water as you enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Sydney harbour and city. These dinner cruises holds on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and also New Years Eve and could leave you about $75 less richer. So if you are tired after the Bondi beach adventure, you can go on Boxing day and have your dinner on the cruise.

You wont be short of activity in Sydney for your Christmas vacation as there are a lot of things to do here. So when packing your bags to come for your Christmas vacation in Sydney, get ready for the time of your life.

5. Quebec City, Canada

Last on my list but not the least is Quebec City. Quebec is one of the oldest cities in North America with a rich festive tradition coming from hundreds of years. Quebec in Christmas looks like a live Christmas card, it is magical, enchanting and beautiful to behold. The snow with the endless lights and decoration, makes this city to be the perfect village for Christmas festivities. So, if you are able to come to Quebec for your Christmas vacation, there are a lot of things to see and do because hundreds of years of festive traditions can’t be exhausted in one holiday. So look out for;

Christmas carol at the Notre Dame: At the heart of the Old Quebec town is the 1608 Notre Dame cathedral. As long as you are in Quebec, you should try to attend the christmas carols at this edifice and be reminded of what Christmas truly is. This will however be given in French but the atmosphere and spirit of the season will still remain enchanting.

German Christmas market: This market will be open from late november and closes just before christmas, with over 80 stalls, you will have an European feel in North America. There will be a lot of handmade wares and german fares for you to buy, great gifts and souvenir itemsfor family and friends. If you go to Quebec and you dont go to the German Christmas market, did you really go to Quebec?

Food Tour: The best way to spend christmas here is to take the 3 hour walking food tour. During the tour, a local guide will teach you about the culture and history of the city, you will also do a food tasting from 5 different restaurants and on the trip, there will be enough to eat and drink. The cost for this tour is about $75, you can find out more about this tour here. You can also go ice-skating, trek on the cobblestone street, go shopping, walk in the snow, and a lot more to do.

Conclusion

So these five cities in my opinion are the top five cities to spend your Christmas vacation, because they have the atmosphere, spirit, enchantment and magic. Thank you for reading to the end and before you make this trip it is advisable to check this link. happy vacation.