Christmas! Fluffy snow that envelops the city in a magical cloak ... the ringing of bells and the shining of colorful garlands on the street ... ice slides and Santa Claus, good-naturedly laughing at a bunch of children. There is no better way to learn about the traditions of an entire nation than to visit them on this holiday. Here are five cities where you will remember the meeting of Christmas for a lifetime.
Saint-Petersburg, Russia
St. Petersburg is one of the most colorful cities in Russia, no wonder that the meeting of Christmas here will seem like a real fairy tale. In the Northern capital, the splendor of the past is successfully combined with the European gloss of the present. One of the most popular places for festivities on holidays is Palace Square. It is here that the main Christmas tree of the city is located, near which you can meet the good-natured Santa Claus, dance around the Alexander Column.
Walking along Nevsky Prospekt, which, as usual, is closed on holidays for traffic, you can feel how history comes to life next to you. As if a little bit more, and a cab will fly out from around the corner, picking up a whole heap of iridescent snowflakes! St. Isaac's Cathedral, Peter and Paul Palace, the Hermitage and many other monuments, bridges, whose magnificent contours are decorated with illumination, will impress even the most ardent critics of romance! In the northern capital, on the days of the holiday, you can skate, go to fairs or even feel like a boyar by riding a sleigh pulled by three horses. In any case, after visiting St. Petersburg, you will have a pleasant feeling that it was not in vain that you spent Christmas here.
St. Moritz, Switzerland
This small town in the south-east of Switzerland captivates tourists with its location and beauty. On all sides St. Moritz is surrounded by mountains, which, like huge stone guards, guard the peace of this wonderful place. The city is especially beautiful in winter, when its small houses and old chapels are covered with a soft fur coat made of snow-white snow. All this, as well as the mountain peaks hiding in the clouds, are reflected in the surface of the lake that surrounds St. Moritz on one side. The landscapes of this small Swiss town already in themselves tune into a festive and even fabulous mood: who knows, suddenly right now you will hear the ringing of bells and see Santa Claus descending from the mountain in his sleigh! Surely, St. Moritz is considered one of the best places to celebrate Christmas: there are ski resorts, the opportunity to walk in the winter forest or spend time in the best restaurants and spas. True, all these pleasures are affordable for those for whom it is not a problem to part with a large amount of money, because this resort is the favorite place of the rich and famous.
Salzburg, Austria
There are many wonderful places in the world, but they are often full of tourists, and then the whole vacation turns into a process of avoiding strangers. But there are cities where time stands still, where calmness and measuredness are not just words, but a real way of life. It is here that it is so pleasant to meet a wonderful holiday - Christmas. Salzburg is rightfully considered one of such places. Lovers of extreme skiing will have a great time here. It is not for nothing that the city lies at the foot of the Austrian Alps, which are not known as well as the French or Swiss, but have no less beautiful views.
Salzburg will appeal even more to those who love a cozy atmosphere in the city. All festive festivities take place to the music of Mozart, because it was here that the great composer was born. The ringing of bells, walks along the old streets of this picturesque city will not leave anyone indifferent. Here you can have fun at the Christmas market buying various souvenirs, ride the main skating rink in front of the Mozart monument, or just walk and enjoy the festive atmosphere of this wonderful place. Salzburg is a city with a Christmas spirit, and once you get here, you will definitely take a piece of the holiday with you.
Helsinki, Finland
Finland is loved by everyone who loves Christmas. It is here that the city of Rovaniemi in Lapland is located, which is famous for its main inhabitant - Santa Claus. However, the holiday did not pass by the rest of the cities. Helsinki will give you an experience that will stay with you for a long time. Here you can see and experience all the delights of winter life: reindeer sledding, snowball throwing competitions, ice skating and ice slides of unprecedented beauty. There is not a single person in the entire city who would ignore the celebration of Christmas. That is why Helsinki is one of the cities where the most beautiful walks take place at dusk. Not only every store or shop, but also every private house shimmers with colorful garlands and decorations. Competitions for the best decoration are held here, which is why a walk through the evening city becomes like visiting a fabulous museum.
To complete the atmosphere of magic and celebration, fabulous houses appear on the streets of the city, in which good-natured gnomes become the main inhabitants, always ready to treat passers-by with mulled wine and amuse both children and adults. Helsinki is a city where you will find that atmosphere of well-being, fun and kindness so characteristic of Christmas!
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague deserves the title of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. On Christmas Day, when all the old winding streets take on a new radiance in the light of colorful lights, Prague becomes even more inimitable. Even the absence of snow on Christmas (and here it happens quite often) does not prevent the city from finding a festive atmosphere. The thing is that every resident tries to outmaneuver his neighbor in decorating his house or shop. If you walk along one of the streets of Prague, you will get the impression that you have become the hero of some kind of Christmas movie, the beauty of old architecture is so harmoniously combined with beautiful decorations.
One of the main attractions of the city these days is a huge live spruce, which is specially found and cut down in the mountains on the occasion of the holiday. It is noteworthy that among Czechs there is a tradition of decorating their homes with live Christmas trees in pots. That is why at numerous Christmas markets, instead of felled pines, you will see these lovely living trees.
All comers are treated to mulled wine and punch for the holiday, so that nothing prevents people from plunging into the Christmas atmosphere of the city. In addition, here you can taste national sweets - bagels with vanilla, "nut's nest". Prague is the city that you need to go to to celebrate Christmas if you like to walk along the old streets, enjoying the spirit of the holiday that reigns around every corner.
Christmas is a special holiday. There are many great places to celebrate Christmas, but only close people and a good mood will make this time unforgettable.
