It’s that time of year when the world falls in love and every song you sing seems to say, “Merry Christmas, may your New Year’s dreams come true . . .”
I love Christmas, and have had the great good fortune to spend time in Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Florence during the holiday season. Thinking about people celebrating everywhere always makes me happy, and I found myself doing a little holiday dreaming and armchair travel.
Here are some lovely Christmas pictures from twelve different cities around Europe that are on my holiday trip wish list. Enjoy — and from my family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Amsterdam
In Amsterdam, a view looking towards the Central Train Station. The canals of the city glow with reflected light.
Vienna
The Christmas Market in Vienna, right it front of the Town Hall, is called the “Vienna Magic of Advent.”
Florence
I visited Florence just before Christmas a couple of years ago, and loved seeing the city decorated with lights and ornaments. From the Duomo to the Pitti Palace, Florence comes alive to celebrate this festive season.
Moscow
While Christmas in Moscow would be VERY cold, with average lows around 18° (Fahrenheit), the lights in Russia’s capitol are stunning, and I’m sure the trip would be memorable.
Brussels
In the Grand Place of Brussels, with the Christmas tree and the lights glowing blue. I know several spots that would be perfect for a cup of hot chocolate!
London
I’ve been in London just before Christmas twice now, and I love wandering the streets, looking at the store windows, and ducking in somewhere for tea — or something a little stronger 🙂 to warm up.
Munich
The Christmas Market in Munich is one of the largest in Europe, and the photograph of the little girl above made me smile — choosing one sweet from the glowing cart is a happy, if difficult, task.
Copenhagen
Tivoli garden lit for the holidays — so pretty. I have not been to Copenhagen yet, so it’s definitely on my list of places to go in Europe.
Prague
Prague is also a big destination on my bucket list, and looking at the gorgeous tree and and the old town hall really makes me want to start looking for flights. This may be my next European destination.
Dublin
I adore Dublin, and do I want to visit during the holidays? You bet your Christmas stockings I do!
Rome
Rome is one of my favorite cities anywhere, and from the Colosseum to the Vatican, this is an amazing place during Christmas — all lights and decoration and warmth.
Paris
My husband Drew and I spent the Christmas of 2012 together in Paris, his very last before his death from cancer, and it is indeed one of the most beautiful places I’ve been during the holidays.
So, I leave you with a picture from my Christmas — at home this year, with my Christmas cat Marius under our tree.
Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!
— Ann
What’s on your holiday travel wish list?
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Kevin and I haven’t spent Christmas in Europe yet so we are really curious what it is like to spend the holiday season there. I would love to go to Munich for the Christmas market! London would be lovely to see the window displays and the Christmas lights! Hopefully next year, we can hit up some of these cities!
Omg Ann this was such a cute idea for a post!! I loved seeing which cities I’ve been to around the holidays, and which I’ve still to check out. Of course London is a favorite of mine. I was in Copenhagen around the holidays last year… we went to the first night of Tivoli and it was just perfect!! I’m surprised but I think Moscow is my favorite of the photos you chose… a place I’ve yet to travel to, in any season!
I consider myself extremely lucky to have visited all of these beautiful cities but one — Moscow. It’s a place I’d really like to go. I keep thinking I’d like to go there with my son. He speaks Russian and I know he’d enjoy it. But I had no idea how beautiful it is! We really need to go!
I usually go to Paris if anywhere for Christmas. I am not a big fan of the holiday but love taking advantage of the days off from work to travel! I would love to do Japan at Christmas, I think it would be wonderful!
Beautiful post. What a wonderful collection.
I am sure that last night in Paris is bittersweet in your mind. Our Christmas travel wish list? We are just putting the final touches on the Cancun trip. waiting for one dive pitch to come in and pitching one more eco-tour. All the major pieces are in place. We are starting to look for little ways to get down time and maybe collect our thoughts from the trip while we are in country since January is packed and hectic. I am looking forward to seeing kiddo and I am so glad that I only have 4 more hours at work for the next four weeks.
Aww sweet kitty! I love this post. I just got home from my first December in Europe. I was in Vienna, Austria and my favorite market was at Rathaus (city hall) so I loved that photo! I’ve also been to Moscow, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Rome but just not at Christmas. I now want to be in Europe in December every year. I really want to be in Moscow though at Christmas most I think!