Except for one year, I have spent every Christmas with family, at a home. I really would not have it any other way…but I can dream of visiting other locales at Christmas time. Imagine Christmas in Europe, or Christmas in New York City! I have never even seen Rockefeller Center at Christmas time! Isn’t that a quintessential Christmas sight? Although I don’t want to spend Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day, away from home, these are places I simply must resolve to visit at Christmas time.
I love London. Being an Anglophile (a person who admires England and all things English!) I have been in London many times, even in the winter, and London in the snow is something out of a storybook. Someday I must go and see it at Christmas time. Look at beautiful Bond Street, a shopping mecca, between Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus. The store windows are full of Christmas decorations, and obviously, Bond Street is a Christmas light show on its own. London is first on my “Must see at Christmas time” list.
Second on my list is Munich, or Munchen, Germany. I fell in love with the romance of Munich so very long ago, on my very first trip to Europe when my husband and I were traveling prior to children. Munich was the first city we went to. It is incredibly charming, even magical. Like all tourists, I fell completely in love with the Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz (a city square). Even on that first trip (and we’ve been back a few times) I thought it would be gorgeous at Christmas, after all, Germany gave us the Christmas Tree!
I have never been to Prague, but I have wanted to go there for a very long time. The photos I have seen of Prague show the “city of cathedrals”, a beautiful, old, Eastern European city. I’m thinking…..Christmas Market cruise. I could see the 4th on my list on the same cruise, I believe….Salzburg, Austria’s Christmas Market. I have been to Salzburg, and to its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s baroque architecture and narrow cobbled streets take one back in time. Christmas or no Christmas, Salzburg is worth many visits.
And number five is our own New York City, and Rockefeller Center’s tree and skating rink. There is really no excuse for me! I cannot believe I have not been to these locations at Christmas time, and I vow to start my plans to do it. Why not see all the European destinations during one trip? What an excellent idea! I will begin to plan!
Do you dream of traveling or seeing other places during the Holidays? I’d love to hear about your list!
We’ve been away from home in Minnesota quite a bit at Christmas-time since we were married in 2006: Orlando, Sanibel Island, relatives in Michigan, and then Kauai where we moved. This year, we’ll be spending it in Australia where we are now. I love your choices! Christmas at Rockefeller Center is enchanting. Munich, Prague, London and Paris would be great fun, too. Merry Christmas!
that sounds lovely! The one time we traveled at Christmas, after my father died, we went on a cruise. Tropical Xmas has its charms.
I’m with you, many of the cities are on my list too, although i have spent many Christmas seasons in NYC, a treat I highly recommend. I agree though, I do like being home too, I think the lead up to the holiday would be great. Living in SoCal I almost never feel “in the spirit” fully, I think it’s because it is so warm here, makes me always long for a blustery cool day!
I know what you mean…in Dallas, our leaves have finally changed and fallen. But my house is totally decorated for Christmas…I love the holiday!
Tam, I love your choices! I also keep reading about the Viking cruises and visiting the Christmas markets – I love NYC at Christmas – It is a must do! I love San Francisco and Sydney. Australia is a fun change when you visit at Christmastime – it is so bloody hot, but they have lovely decorations and amazing NYE fireworks!
I’m looking at the Christmas cruises…they look like something out of a fairy tale. Germany is the home of fairy tales. We should go together, as couples!
This is a very enticing list. I live close to NYC, and I must say that it IS magical during holiday time. Hope you get to see all your picks!
thanks Sheryl. I am going to do my best.
Haven’t been to London at Christmas but sure do agree with the rest of these.
I want to do the Christmas Market cruise…have you ever done it? I’m trying to find a really nice boat with a private balcony.
I have been dreaming about visiting the Christmas Markets – the trip Carol is on right now. I do miss Colorado at Christmas time though!
I’m really close to booking that trip…it looks beautiful.
I haven’t been to any of this places at ANY time, so I’d be delighted to visit them any time. I do have NYC on my wishlist for a Christmastime visit, though, for sure. Eventually. With a Rockettes show a must while I’m there.
I’d love to see the Macy’s parade….from a hotel window.
I’m on that Christmas market cruise now and it is way fun and so beautiful!
I know, I am so jelly!
Spent 5 Christmases in NYC when we lived there. Your other choices look great also but there’s something to be said about a tropical Christmas. The year we spent on Maui was awesome.
I could stand a tropical Christmas. All new ornaments! Fun!
All great options…but I really love the holidays at home!
I agree!