The Historical Charm of Vienna

Before we dive into the charming details of the **Christmas markets**, let’s take a moment to appreciate the city itself. Vienna, the grand capital of Austria, is steeped in history and culture. With stunning palaces, baroque architecture, and a coffee culture that would have even your most refined relatives drooling, it’s a place that captivates visitors all year round. But in the winter months, it transforms into an even more stunning sight, as the city becomes a stage for holiday festivities.

Christmas Markets: A Feast for the Senses

Vienna boasts some of the most **idyllic Christmas markets** in the world, each with its unique charm and flair. While you could stroll through any of them and feel the magic, let’s highlight a few that are truly exceptional.

1. The Christkindlmarkt at Rathausplatz

First up, we have the illustrious **Christkindlmarkt** at Rathausplatz, which has been delighting locals and tourists since 1298. The majestic Town Hall serves as a magnificent backdrop, almost as if it’s trying to outdo the festive displays. Here, you’ll find over 150 kiosks, each competing for your attention with traditional Christmas treats, handcrafted ornaments, and exhilarating warm drinks to fend off that winter chill. Don’t forget to try a cup of Glühwein—hot spiced wine that warms your soul and perhaps offers a little courage to tackle more shopping.

2. The Market at Schönbrunn Palace

Head to the splendid grounds of Schönbrunn Palace for another stunning market experience. Not only can you shop for artisanal crafts, but you can also walk in the footsteps of royalty. This market celebrates all things traditional, with food stalls offering everything from chestnuts to strudel—a delectable pastry that takes approximately three days to make (we might be exaggerating, but it sure is delicious!). The palace glows romantically in the background, adding a fairy-tale vibe to the entire experience.

A Step Beyond Shopping

While shopping is undoubtedly a large part of the holiday market experience, it’s also about the **atmosphere**. Enjoy street performances and live music as you sip your Glühwein or indulge in some roasted chestnuts. Who knows, you might just find yourself dancing along to a lively rendition of holiday classics.

Family-Friendly Festivities

If you’re traveling with kids, Vienna’s December markets offer a plethora of activities to keep your little ones entertained. Many markets, such as the one at Maria-Theresien-Platz, host a range of fun-filled attractions like **carousels** and guided **tours** where kids can marvel at the twinkling lights and festive decorations. And let’s not forget about Santa’s arrival; nothing ignites the holiday spirit like watching children’s faces light up as they wave to Kris Kringle!

Perfectly Cozy Cafés

After a chilly day outside, what better way to warm up than by popping into one of Vienna’s famed **cafés**? With options like **Café Central** or **Café Sacher**, you can indulge in a slice of original **Sachertorte** and sip a hot cocoa while you plot your next shopping adventure. These cafés embody everything you’d want during the winter months: warmth, espresso, and a rich cultural history that makes you feel more cultured just by stepping inside.

Vienna: A Feast for the Taste Buds

A visit to Vienna’s Christmas markets wouldn’t be complete without sampling their **culinary delights**. From the sweet aroma of freshly baked **cookies** to the savory scent of roasted meats, the markets serve up a smorgasbord of flavors. Be sure to try the traditional Austrian **punsch**, a hot spiced drink that can be non-alcoholic or spiked for the grown-ups. It’s the perfect remedy for the nippy evening air.

Unforgettable Experiences Await

As you wander through the myriad stalls, each brimming with unique gifts and meaningful keepsakes, you’ll feel the vibrant enthusiasm that captures the heart of Vienna’s traditions. Whether you’re in the market for handmade decorations, delicious snacks, or just a sprinkle of holiday magic, Vienna delivers it all with panache.

Wrapping It Up

So, if you’re pondering your next travel destination during the holiday season, put Vienna at the top of your list. The city’s **Christmas markets** provide an unforgettable blend of historical charm, festive atmosphere, and mouthwatering delights that’ll make you wish for winter to last just a little longer. Plus, where else can you drink toasty beverages while surrounded by beautiful architecture? Trust us; you won’t want to miss a single moment of this whimsical experience. Grab your winter coat, pack your bags, and get ready for a festive adventure you won’t forget!

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Spend a day playing in the snow

The first snowflakes hit the ground so slowly and peacefully that somehow, amid all those thoughts of the traffic chaos the snow may cause or how wet your feet are going to get on your way home, you remember the old days when none of it mattered. When temperatures were just random numbers you overheard on the TV during the brief 15 minutes when you were actually at home on a snow day – just to slightly unfreeze your hands, change out of your wet clothes, grab a snack and listen to your parents’ lectures before heading outside again to fulfill your mission: to make the best of the day and fully enjoy the snow. And who said the mission is over?

This winter we challenge you to spend a whole day playing out in the snow. And if living in the moment without a ‘to-do’ list feels too unstructured, here are some suggestions:

• Recreate your favorite movie scene with snowmen.
• Start a snowball fight.
• Find things to use as an alternative to a sleigh – a pool float, an old jacket or a plastic bottle. Or perhaps even a friend?

Lose your heart to the snow | Brigitte Tohm/Unsplash

Master the art of making mulled wine

After spending the day as your inner child, what better way to switch back to adulthood than enjoying a glass of hot mulled wine? And trust us, it tastes even better if you make it yourself. Here’s how:

Do something small for someone else

December is the month of coziness and hygge, which makes you just want to do good and be kind. And of course, the best acts of kindness are the small, spontaneous, everyday ones. Let this be a month of small acts of kindness:

• Buy a homeless person a meal.
• Cook a treat for your colleagues.
• Compliment a stranger on the subway.
• Give a small DIY gift to a not-so-close friend, just because.

… but don’t forget that the best gift is you: your time, your kindness and your presence. Make sure you spend enough quality time with your loved ones this December.

The best gift is you: your time, your kindness, your presence. | Dakota Corbin/ Unsplash

Celebrate Christmas in an unusual place

I’m not saying that staying home and watching Home Alone for the hundredth time is a bad idea, but why not use Christmas to do something unusual that you’ve never done before? Have you, for example, ever had a snow picnic or built an igloo? Check here for more unusual ideas about how to spend Christmas.

Have you spent Christmas in a forest cabin before? | Ian Keefe/ Unsplash

Combine at least 5 New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world for your party

The 31st of December is a chance to take stock of what has happened in the past year and make wishes for the new one to be better. Some nations, however, don’t only wish for it – they do everything possible to ensure that their luck changes on the first day of the year, which often leads to some fun traditions. These traditions might or might not work, but incorporating them into your New Year’s celebrations will surely result in a memorable party. Here are a few ideas:

• Russia: when the countdown starts, quickly write your wishes on a small piece of paper, then burn it and drink the ashes with your drink before midnight.
• Colombia: bring an empty suitcase with you and walk around the block with it at midnight. It is believed that this inexplicable tradition will bring you plenty of great adventures in the new year.
• Switzerland: drop ice cream on the floor for luck in the new year.
• Denmark: climb onto a chair or sofa and literally jump into the new year at midnight.
• Philippines: wear polka dots, eat only round food and toss coins for prosperity.

Pin it for later:

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A couples escape, a family holiday or a cliche-free solo trip – here’s a selection of our favorite quirky Christmas getaway ideas for a not-so-ordinary holiday season.

Because if you don’t bring the Christmas spirit in your heart, you won’t find it on your travels, even if you venture as far as Lapland.

Plus, if the legend is true, Santa will find you wherever you are.

This list will guide you through all the cool and unusual things you can do this Christmas that turns out to be one of the best Christmas gifts for your friend with whom you are going on a trip during the holidays.

#1 Spend the night at a Bedouin desert camp

Sand, heat, camels: this image is the antithesis of every stereotypical Christmas card. So if you’re looking to do something different, why not head straight to the nearest desert? It doesn’t need to be a rough experience – you can stay in a luxury tent.

A luxury tent at Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan | Christian Piatt/Flickr

#2 Enjoy the glorious van life

This article says it all in a very inspirational way:

#3 Go skiing in a Santa costume

Cover yourself in a dollar-store Santa costume and stir up a little holiday confusion on the slopes of your favorite ski resort.

#4 Build an igloo and have a festive dinner inside

If you have kids, make them build the igloo while you prepare the dinner. Bring candles, warm blankets and woolen socks for everyone.

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A post shared by Filippo Scrivani (@filipposcrivani)

#5 Go on a Christmas road trip

We’re not suggesting just any old road trip; for this challenge, you need to decorate the car. Head somewhere that’s open on Christmas Day, like a nature park or the historical center of a nearby city.

#6 Go boating or kayaking

Book a ticket on the nearest available cruise and sail the holiday season away. Or, if you’d rather travel under your own steam, swap the cruise ship for a kayak.

#7 Just go somewhere colorful

Head to Guatemala, Colombia, Venice, Thailand or anywhere with colors more vivid than a photoshopped image.

Guatemala | Ronald Cuyan/Unsplash

#8 Soak in a warm mineral pool (especially if it’s snowing outside)

There is nothing like immersing yourself in an open-air mineral pool in the winter. You’ll feel like you’re cheating nature as you watch snowflakes falling from above while you soak in warm mineral water, not caring about tiny details like weather forecasts or temperatures more suited to polar bears… Bring hot drinks with you.

#9 Spend the day in the company of animals

Don’t get me wrong, humans are okay… but I prefer animals because (other than parrots), I’ve yet to hear one assault my ears with “‘Tis the season to be jolly” for the 1,056,669th time in a row. In fact, I respect animals’ ability to detach from the holiday craze. Find some furry friends at a farm, a nature park or a zoo – whatever you have at hand will do.

A puffin in Iceland who doesn’t know a single Christmas carol | Jonatan Pie/Unsplash

#10 Fly to the cheapest foreign country available

Check your favorite airlines’ websites or a flight comparison website to see where you can escape at the last minute… and just do it. Life is short – you should make more silly decisions.

#11 Go surfing

Surfing is a cliche if you are Australian, and an unconventional treat if you are not.

Surfing on Christmas Day? | Conner Murphy

#12 Rediscover yourself at a retreat

Why not head on a silence retreat, a meditation retreat or a nature getaway during the holidays? When the materialistic world becomes too overwhelming, it’s time to run away from it all and sit in silence to rediscover your inner self.

#13 Go skinny-dipping

This challenge is not for the faint of heart if you live close to one of the poles… but it’s still worth it if you want a Christmas to remember.

#14 Embark on a refreshing bicycle ride

If the weather isn’t too frightful, hop on your bike and enjoy a long, serene ride, making sure to occasionally glimpse through the windows of the houses you pass to see what other people do on Christmas Day. The best part about this is that the streets will be empty. Like, zombie-apocalypse empty. Have you checked out our bicycle-themed playlist to keep you company during your ride?

Santa, is that you? | Robert Couse-Baker

#15 Return to your pagan roots

Christmas is rooted in Christianity, but Christianity is rooted further back in time. Add a pagan flavor to the holiday season by using your days off to visit an ancient monument. It could be a megalith, a stone circle, a tomb or whatever ancient landmark you have nearby.

#16 Organize a snow picnic

Wrap yourself in warm clothes, pack some baked goodies and flasks full of tea and coffee (and rum, and whiskey…), and head out for a picnic in the crisp air. It’s a good idea to pack extra blankets and spare gloves. Here’s our full guide how to organize a winter picnic in the snow.

A picnic is always a good idea, no matter the weather | picseli

#17 Change the season

If you have spent your whole life celebrating snowy, white Christmases scented with the smell of chestnuts roasting on the open fire, then a little change will be more than refreshing. Head to another climatic zone and see what the change of scenery has to offer.

Change the season this Christmas | Thomas Kelley

#18 Travel to a neighboring city to eat at an exotic restaurant

As there is no Christmas in China, Bangladesh or Thailand, restaurants serving these national dishes will probably be open. Choose a nearby city and check which international restaurants there have the highest rating on Google, Facebook or TripAdvisor.

#19 Book a remote cabin in the forest

The more remote, the better. Keep it warm and cozy, staying by the fireplace and preparing your own mulled wine. Take advantage of the fact that you are close to nature and practice the Japanese art of ‘forest-bathing’: shinrin-yoku.

Go somewhere remote | Paul Itkin

#20 Climb somewhere high for a gorgeous view

Depending on your preferences, this may be a skyscraper, a mountain peak or a just a tree.

#21 Eat your Christmas lunch on a plane, train, etc.

Most public transportation continues running even on Christmas Day. Even if you are not forced to be on a plane or train on Christmas Day, you can arrange a journey for yourself and make the most of the trip. Bring some cookies and special cinnamon latte with you if you’re worried about missing the holiday spirit.

Pin it for later, because the Christmas craze may eventually become too overwhelming and you may want to escape:

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Specifically, we’d argue there are a number of reasons to make sure that the northern city of Manchester is on your itinerary.

Museums & Galleries

London almost automatically seems like Britain’s best destination for museums and galleries, simply because it’s the capital and that tends to be the way of things. While there are some excellent options in this lane in London though, Manchester can give it a legitimate run for its money. Several incredible museums and galleries, including the Manchester Art Gallery, the Castlefield Gallery, The Lowry, and HOME, to name a few, are spread out all around the city. They showcase local history, contemporary art, historical art, and exhibitions relating to very specific themes, and ultimately comprise much of the cultural allure of the city.

The Music Scene

Perhaps more than any other city in the country, Manchester is known for its live music scene, and that doesn’t just mean it has some cool concert venues. The city has a deep and wide-ranging history of musical quality, enveloping everything from The Hallé, an orchestra that’s been active since the 1850s, to the rock group Oasis, which started in the city in 1991, to artists like IAMDDB and Toni Sunmola who are just starting off now. There’s pretty much always something great going on in every conceivable musical genre in Manchester, which makes the whole music scene a blast to dive into.

Incomparable Football

There are wonderful football teams with extensive histories and rabid supporter bases all over Britain. London has the most teams in one city, but Manchester may have the best pedigree. Manchester United is arguably the most historically glorified club on the planet and plays in a legendary venue at Old Trafford. Manchester City has been the class of English football of late and recently overtook Liverpool as the Premier League favorites for 2019 once more. These two rival clubs are simply as good as it gets and makes football in Manchester even more special than it already is throughout most of the country.

Nightlife

As with museums and galleries, it seems almost bland to suggest that a big city has great nightlife. Most big or beloved cities around Europe can make a similar claim, so in a broad sense, this isn’t unique to Manchester. However, it does probably have the best reputation in England in this regard and boasts not only of live music venues and nightclubs but also terrific late-night restaurants and bars that are worth your time. There’s a little bit of everything, which means there’s something for everyone.

The Christmas Markets

A few European cities are known for their incredible holiday season markets, and Manchester is one of them. There are full written guides for how to go about experiencing the Christmas markets in Manchester, which gives you some idea as to how extensive a celebration they are. Naturally, you have to be in town at the right time of year to enjoy this particular attraction, but if you are in Manchester in December you’ll see brilliant decorations, festive crowds, and bustling markets, complete with all sorts of little indulgences to enjoy.

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Handmade gifts show your friends (who may love the road nearly as much as you love them) that you care. But not all of us are artsy enough to create something beautiful. Sometimes we need help from someone who knows how to use a sewing machine.

Among the host of artists around the world who specialize in handmade gifts, Neli Apostolova (known by her artistic pseudonym Handmade Nel) is one who truly understands the traveler’s soul. More importantly, she knows how hard it is to fit only the basics into your ultralight backpack or hand luggage.

Money, a passport and a good book is all a minimalist traveler needs. Handmade Nel takes care of these necessities with some neat and beautifully designed gifts that will bring order to your luggage and inspire your wanderlust with their travel-themed patterns.

Here are four of our favorite travel essentials from Handmade Nel, whose creations are available on Etsy.

First and foremost, you’ll need somewhere to keep all your bathroom essentials in order. What better than this map-print toiletry bag?

Of course, there’s nothing like a travel-themed wallet to keep all your cards and banknotes safe on the road.

Or how about a passport cover to keep you looking stylish from the moment you arrive at your destination?

Traveling with an ebook is lighter than bringing your entire paperback collection. If you don’t mind swapping the smell and feel of real paper for a screen, this option is a real space saver. You ebook needs good protection, though; that’s where Handmade Nel’s beautiful case comes in handy.

Fabric ebook case by Handmade Nel

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