Travel Tips for Christmas, New Year's and Easter : 2006
Spending Christmas, New Year's, or Easter in Europe is a great way to become a temporary local - joining the church services, concerts, feasts, and gift shopping. What local traditions and special events have you enjoyed? Have you found that museums and other sights, restaurants, and stores are often closed at this time? Where are the best places to celebrate these holidays? No questions please.
New Year's Eve in Warsaw
Can anyone recommend a nice place (nightclub, disco, etc.) for a New Year's Eve in Warsaw? Going to Poland alone and really wanna meet great ppl to hang out together.
Tusja <email>
Moscow, Russia Mon 12/11/2006
Prague - Single On New Year's Eve
I'm thinking of traveling alone to Prague for New Year's Eve. Any recommendations on places to go that night where there will be other singles?
Jim <email>
Chicago, IL USA Sun 12/03/2006
New Year's Eve Vienna
We will be in Vienna Austria on New Years Eve. Is downtown OK to be with 2 kids (8 and 12 ) or should we look for someplace calmer ? What about dinner in a Grinzing w/ tourists ? Any advice ?
shannon
overijse, overij belgium Wed 11/29/2006
Christmas Markets in Germany
So what christmas market area is better to visit on a weekend? we're thinking of going to either Frankfurt and day tripping out of there to mainz, koln and around or going to stuttgart and day tripping to heidelberg, freiburg or nuremburg.
I know most of the tourists go to the southern part of the country but what i'm really looking for is the authentic traditional markets where it's about the spirit, the culture (we know deutsch) and not the commercial marketing like we have over here in the states.
We're only going for a weekend (2 full days in DE) and since xmas only has few weekends, we want to make the most of it out of the best of it.
Thanks for the input!
Kristie
Scottsdale, AZ USA Tue 11/28/2006
Madrid a glow..
Hi Judy! Just wanted to let you know that Madrid has just started to light up, I think they're still lighting certain parts but Gran Via and Puerta Del Sol are definitely already lighted. Oh and make sure you go to the Christmas market in Plaza Mayor. I'm going within the next few days myself..
Ginger
Madrid, Spain Mon 11/27/2006
Amsterdam.
Hi all. Anyone know where I can find out whats going on at DAM square Amsterdam this New years eve?
Thanks.
Simon.
Simon Baxter <email>
Leeds., UK Thu 11/23/2006
New Years in London
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what to do for New Years in London! Thanks in advance!
Ursula <email>
San Francisco , CA USA Wed 11/22/2006
Bath - Breat Britain
Have been to Bath in Great Britain and absolutely loved it. Although we were not there at Christmas, imagine that this quaint city will have a lot to offer during Holiday time. It is interesting seeing the hot baths from the first century. Stone Henge is also on the way West from London to Bath.
Sharon
Seattle, WA USA Mon 11/13/2006
spain's christmas season
after changing my travel dates a couple of times because of the price, i finally booked 2 tickets to madrid from miami including a 4 night stay at a very central and nice hotel for $1500 through expedia. we're leaving 11/28 comming back on 12/3 but i was wondering when do they start lighting up the city for christmas. is it like in the states from late november or am i going to miss the whole thing. please help. thanks.
judy
USA Wed 11/08/2006
Christmas and New Years in Spain
Christmas is a great time in Spain because of the strong Catholic traditions. Every city we went to had nativity scenes displayed, and some were quite nice. Each town square had a small flea market selling parts to Nativity scenes. Most of all however, on the 30th of December (the day BEFORE new year's eve) Madrid has a celebration in the Plaza del sol as if it really was new year's eve: jampacked people, champagne popping, firecrackers, lights music, wigs, ball dropping, masks, celebration! We had not expected it, but we figured it was the local's version of the televised event, and that locals maybe didn't bother going to the "real one" anymore.
Joy
Emeryville, CA USA Mon 11/06/2006
New Year's in Paris
New Year's eve is very expensive in the restaurants. We went to a concern (Beethoven's 9th) at the Madeline Cathedral, and it was inexpensive but we sat in an upper balcony on the side, above the choir and orchestra, and couldn't really see. The Eiffel Tower area is full of people shooting fireworks at each other; we thought that aspect was dangerous.
Deanne Hay
Topeka , KS USA Wed 10/11/2006
new year's in rome
We went to St. Peter's Square for New Year's Eve and it was quite memorable...crowd gathering at 10, carols in several languages, passing the candles to light, being blessed by the Pope at midnight....but the subways stopped running about midnight, so we had to walk home (impossible to get a cab) so you need to plan for that.
Deanne Hay
Topeka, ks USA Wed 10/11/2006
Anyone know about Christmas in Odense or Copenhagen? And what about New Years Eve in Warsaw or Prague? Thanks so much!
Logan <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Thu 09/21/2006
New Years in rome
I would like to go to the vatican on the 31st. Does anyone know what time the service is? What is good to do that night?
Alisha <email>
alpharetta, ga USA Thu 09/21/2006
Paris New Year's Eve
Any suggestions on what to do for New Year's Eve in Paris? I don't want to do anything fancy (I'm going to the Ballet Garnier the night before) but I would like some ideas for a great dinner and how to ring in the new year. I'm a single 42 y/o woman travelling on my own. I've been to Paris twice now.
JC <email>
Edmonton, Albert Canada Sat 09/16/2006
My husband and I will be in London the last week of Nov.to the first week of Dec. We want to try some British Christmas markets that we haven't seen before. Anyone tried Bath? Winchester? or have other recommendations? We have done Edinburgh and loved it!
USA Sat 09/16/2006
European Christmas markets are marvelous! Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Edinburgh!!! For New Year's try Edinburgh-- I hear the whole place is one big celebration.
USA Sat 09/16/2006
Holiday Travel, Solo
Oh! Europe in winter is breath-taking. Shop with locals in the Christmas markets in Salzburg, Nuremberg, Rothenburg, Augsburg, and Strasbourg. Dress for snow and enjoy with a child-like heart. Share a cup of coffee with someone at the counter and exchange holiday traditions. Ice skate in Vienna, Munich and Innsbruck. Celebrate with fireworks shooting over the water in Prague. Join in at local plays and musical performances - sing along with children singing carols. If the canal boats are running, hop on and enjoy the city lights from the water.
Most memorable: feeling a bit homesick on Christmas eve, attended midnight Mass, sat next to a robust German man that shared his hymnbook throughout the service knowing I did not speak/sing German. Enjoy your trip.
MJS
Seattle, WA USA Sat 09/16/2006
Christmas Day in Rome
I read on another website that the Roman Forum and the Collosseum and maybe the Time Elevator Roma are open on Christmas Day. Does anyone know if that is the case?
Lisa <email>
Landover, MD USA Fri 09/15/2006
Xmas & NYE 2006
Im travelling to Europe from Sydney for Christmas and New Years before setting up home in London for a few months. I'm 26 and travelling by myself. We don't have the traditional white christmas in Sydney obviously so I'm really looking forward to seeing the way the other side celebrates. I want to see snow and Christmas markets and ice skate in parks... and for new years want huge fireworks and great atmosphere - can anyone suggest any ideas for a gal like myself to enjoy the season without being homesick?????
Samantha Gill <email>
Sydney, NSW Australia Thu 09/14/2006
New Year's Eve in Amsterdam
It's as fun as you want it to be. Public concert in Dam square followed by fireworks at midnight. A friendly crowd of 50,000+ makes for a fun time mingling with locals and travellers alike.
Seattle, USA Sat 09/09/2006
All Saints Day Rome
All saints day is another national holiday in Italy. We spent all saints day, Nov. 1, in Rome last year. The downside, the Vatican Museum, Sisteen Chapel, and many businesses were closed. The plus side, special masses at St. Peter's and the Pope addressed the crowd in St. Peter's square. Be sure to plan ahead for what you want to see, don't expect accurate advice from the locals. My Italian friend told me everything would be open and he had friends who could get me past the line, no problem. When we called the day before some of the best parts of the Vatican were closed.
Brad Benson
Spokane, WA USA Sun 08/27/2006
Christmas ath the Vatican
I spent Christmas Eve 2000 at the Vatican. The service was held outdoors and it was pouring rain. Even with the rain it was a beautiful and memorable experience. The weather, in general, was coldish (I'm from Southern California and used to very mild winters). The energy at the service is magical. There are people gathered from all over the world and everyone is excited to be there. Have a great time.
Emily <email>
CA USA Wed 07/26/2006
Christmas in Germany
My sister and I will be travelling through Germany over Christmas. We have been backpacking together before, but we have never been overseas (and away from our family) on Christmas! We are still working out our itenerary and are looking for something special to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Right now our plans are quite flexible. Does anyone have any suggestions for a magical Christmas in Germnay? Any and all ideas are appreciated. Thanks!
Kasie <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Tue 07/18/2006
Christmas Eve at the Vatican?
Has anyone attended Christmas Eve service at the Vatican? Any tips?
Also, what is the weather like in Tuscany and Umbria during December and January?
Carmen <email>
Seattle, WA USA Mon 07/10/2006
Thanks Anthony, Sue, D !!
Thank you for the tips. I haven't checked the site for several weeks so it's nice to see ideas of things to do. I arrive Christmas eve and I hope I can stay awake for midnight mass, it would be incredible. Now that July 1st is nearly here I'm beginning to get excited...the countdown begins soon!
Ann <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Fri 06/30/2006
Christmas in Paris
Last year we spent our second Christmas in Paris. Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral is WONDERFUL. Arrive early to sit during the service. Watch for beggars outside. Not as many as during the summer. They will ask if you speak English. Just say "non!" The Cardinal of Paris leads the worship. Have done this twice and then had Nutella crepes just outside the church at a crepe stand following the service for a magical moment. Also, last year the Pompidou was open on Christmas Day. After visiting the Pompidou we walked over to the Jewish Quarter, which is hopping Christmas day, and ate at L'As du Falafel. Rick is right; they have the best falafel around. Our family also enjoyed High Tea at the Hotel de Crillion on the Place de la Concorde near the US Embassy. The hot chocolate is divine, the harpist was magical, and the time made for the best memory for my wife, daughter, and me. It was so much fun. We also visited a movie theater on the Champs-Elysees and watched a US moving in version orgininale (VO). Visiting Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores was fun because of the decorations. We have used the latest version of Rick's book during each of our 4 visits to Paris. They are updated and as accurate as you can get, so use it. We marked up our book with notes and refer to them for future trips and with our friends who plan to visit.
Anthony
Paducah, KY USA Sun 06/25/2006
Paris... what to do
Ann --
When you get there, pick up a copy of PariScope at a local newsstand -- it's a small weekly magazine (I think it comes out on Tuesdays) with what's on for that week. It will list all of music venues by type (classical, jazz, etc.), as well as special exhibits at the many museums.
I took a RS Paris tour at Thanksgiving one year. I enjoyed a wonderful concert at the Madeline (church). Also, have fun viewing all of the Christmas decorations. They were just staring to put up some of them -- the ones in Montmartre are particularly charming!
Sue
Philadelphia, PA USA Fri 06/02/2006
for Ann
lots of churches have free or low cost musical performances - especially around holidays. I went to a candlight classical performance in London a few years ago at Christmas. Magical!
d
Vancouver, BC Canada Thu 06/01/2006
Vatican City is closed on New Year's Day
Don't expect to see the Vatican on New Year's Day... We got to Rome on December 31 and saw an extremely long line of people trying to get inside the Vatican city before they closed the gate at 2 p.m. It turned out that New Year's Day is the only day the Vatican City is closed, and that's the only day we were in Rome. Oh, well. But thankfully we could still get inside St. Peter's Cathedral...
Matthew
Columbia, SC USA Fri 05/12/2006
Christmas/New Year's in Paris
I will be traveling to Paris on a tour over Christmas and New Year's. This will be my first trip there, and I will be traveling alone. Though I will spend time with the tour for much of the sightseeing, I would like to get some unique or charming ideas for a solo traveller on what to do during my free time...including night life. I'm a 40 y/o female, and love jazz, blues, classical music, and the theatre. I appreciate your thoughts!
Ann <email>
Los Angeles, CA USA Sat 03/25/2006