Precious Tips For Your Next Trips In These Four European Cities

 

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People sometimes forget the importance of celebrations, especially those occurring in December. It’s not okay because the world is losing interest in the meaning of traditions and focusing more on objects and material things. 

If the Christmas period is overwhelming for you because you have to spend money on gifts and visits, stop stressing! Remember that this celebration is about giving, not giving what’s best on the market. It’s about showing appreciation to loved ones through simple, little things that don’t necessarily need to take materialistic forms. 

For example, what can bring more happiness than a trip to a European city when the lights are brighter and smiles are larger than at any other period of the year?

Maybe a long trip or a city break in December would prove beneficial to ensure you deliver joy to your close ones and yourself. If you deem so, keep reading this article and see what cities like Strasbourg and Antwerp have to offer when the temperature is low.  

 

Strasbourg

In this city, you’ll find the oldest Christmas market in France and one of the oldest in Europe. With around 450 years of existence, it’s gained millions of visitors’ attention and some of the best manufacturers to provide Christmassy products. It has over 300 market stalls and has received the title of “Capital of Christmas” worldwide for more than 30 years. 

When you stroll around this city, ensure you visit at least one shop, street, and building, especially at night when the beautiful lights light up the city. You might feel contentment as you look around, which is a feeling many experiences since the town abounds in the Christmas spirit. If you’re lucky enough to be in Strasbourg in December, don’t leave the town without doing the following things:

• View the city from the top of Strasbourg’s cathedral
• Visit the Christmas tree in Place Kleber
• Visit Alsace’s surroundings
• Visit the neighbourhood 
• Enjoy a cosy dinner in a pub.

 

London

London is a hub of top-notch, luxuriant pieces of clothing, accessories, bags, and fashion generally. It’s a signature for Burberry and vice versa, which attracts millions of visitors yearly. The city is marvellous not only when the temperatures are optimal. Many people who dislike winter and December celebrations rejoice over this city during that chilly season. It’s clear why; the city has plenty of sparkling, shiny decorations, and the window displays are true mood-boosters. 

Everything about the town in winter is Christmassy, not to mention the Christmas market London. Some markets are open longer-term than the celebration period, close around the New Year and several open in mid-November. Practically, you can shop and visit not only in the vicinity of the 25th of December but even longer.

If you’re daydreaming about experiencing the Christmas market in London sometime in the future, know beforehand that you must organise some aspects. Look at the weather to see how the weather’s going to be, and don’t pack too much stuff because you’ll return home with souvenirs and gifts for yourself and your dear ones. Put the following spots on your check-list, and don’t forget to take pictures; maybe you’ll want to share the best memories with others:

• Hyde Park
• The Regent Street
• Big Ben
• Trafalgar Square.

 

Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and can compete with European capitals like Berlin and Madrid in many aspects. Much of Budapest’s centre was built during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is why the architecture here resembles Vienna’s. 

The city is affordable and offers many unique experiences on a budget, but some of the ones you shouldn’t miss are the following:

• Christmas Chamber Concert Budapest. You can get into the Christmas spirit with music. Live music will brighten your Christmas experience in Budapest, from classical to Gypsy salon, folk and charity concerts.
• Cruises. Have a wonderful Christmas cruise on the Danube. Night boat tours in Budapest make the city’s winter sights even more beautiful. 
• Szechenyi Baths. Thermal baths are a wintertime delight. There, you can enjoy indoor and thermal pools while serving a delicious beverage.
• Szechenyi Baths Ice Rink Budapest Park. The Budapest City Park Ice Rink is a must-see for winter sports enthusiasts. Skate around the Ice Rink Palace and Vajdahunyad Castle on rented skates.
• Budapest Christmas Streetcar. Every year, starting in early December, you can enjoy a memorable Christmas streetcar ride along some of the city’s most scenic routes.

 

Antwerp

Antwerp’s the second central city in Belgium after Brussels, the capital. It’s home to one of the world’s largest ports and offers many beautiful places to see, especially in the wintertime. Antwerp’s central station is a symbol of the city and Belgium and is a must-see for all visitors. As impressive as the building’s exterior is, you must enter the building to appreciate its architecture genuinely. The most eye-catching things there are the clock from the building’s colossal hall and the main entrance on the side of Koningin Astridplein, but the list doesn’t stop here.

However, you can visit such points of interest any time of the year, though, in winter, some can be more of a delight to see. Ensure you don’t leave without visiting the Christmas market Antwerp and the Meir shopping street to make the most of your trip. 

Other interesting places you wouldn’t want to miss are the following:

• The city park
• Groenplaats
• The Moretus Museum
• The Rubens house
• The Antwerp Zoo
• The Diamond District

 

Conclusion

These are just four cities that people adore. There, your money’s likely to stretch the most. Yet, you shouldn’t limit yourself only to popular towns; there are plenty of less popular places that you’d probably love, such as:

• Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain. Visit the Church of La Encarnación and Nazari Castle if you ever happen to get there.
• Perast, Montenegro. It’s one of the best European hidden gems to visit in 2022, especially the Bay of Kotor.
• Brisighella, Italy. This is a mediaeval, marvellous town in the South of Bologna and home to Il Monticino church, La Torre clock tower and La Rocca castle.