As snow covers Europe, so does the holiday spirit. With cold weather and long nights, Europeans have to find a way to bring warmth and light to their holiday season. What better way to celebrate than with ice skating, holiday markets, and festivals? All over Europe attractions crop up to entertain and encourage the holiday spirit.
In Paris, France you can seize the opportunity to ice skate 188 feet above the ground! From December 10th to January 23rd the first floor platform of the Eiffel Tower is turned into an ice rink slightly larger than a tennis court. The rink can hold up to 80 skaters at a time and provides an amazing view of Paris. After paying the ground level entry fee to get into the Tower, skating and rentals are both free. So bundle up and enjoy the city of Paris at your feet!
While the ice skating in England may not take place in mid air, it is still worth giving a go. Come wintertime, Hyde Park in London is converted into a Winter Wonderland. It is home to London’s largest open air ice rink, among other attractions. Visitors can enjoy a winter-themed circus show, holiday markets and various rides. While visiting, grab a hot chocolate and head for the heated Ferris wheel that provides a lovely view of the whole Winter Wonderland.
Also in London, at the Covent Garden, there is an incredible "Kissmas" tree. The tree is decorated with 50,000 red and white LED lights. But they don’t stay on all the time; in order to light up the Covent Garden Tree two people must stand under it and hold mistletoe while kissing. Voila! The power of the kiss brings the tree to life!
While Switzerland may not have a mid air skating rink or a kissing tree, it does have some excellent holiday markets. In the town of Montreux on Lake Geneva, the Montreux Noel market takes place. Around 146 different chalets pop up along the lake selling toys, sweets, decorations and more. Just above Montreux, in the mountains, the town of Caux becomes a real live mountain Christmas village. Here, visitors will discover various animals from reindeer to rabbits, a giant nativity scene and Santa’s post office. If you’re looking for some Christmas cheer, you’re sure to find it here.
From ice skating to holiday markets, Europeans celebrate the holiday season with gusto. Many countries in Europe have points of pride when it comes to the holidays, and visiting each of them is the only way to gain a true appreciation for these varying celebrations. If you are looking for a way to light up your holiday season, a trip to Europe is certainly an excellent option.
Have you experienced any of these or any other holiday traditions traditions around the world? Tell us about them by leaving a comment below!