Month: November 2016

Christmas Markets in Europe

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You haven’t experienced Christmas lights until you’ve seen nearly four miles of them artfully hung in patterns dictated by Tiffany’s head designer in Copenhagen’s famed historic amusement park, Tivoli Gardens—and that’s not counting the 1,800 strands dramatically draped on the lakeside willows. Copenhagen celebrates Jul (as in “yuletide”) in high style, with its famed Christmas market the centerpiece. Stalls stocked with fine handmade crafts, including traditional figurines of clog-clad elves in pointy red caps, compete for space with vendors selling iced doughnuts slathered with black currant jam and hefty cups of gløgg, a steaming hot mulled red wine laden with raisins, almonds, cinnamon sticks, and cloves—all of which, for good measure, are steeped in aquavit or schnapps.

Christmas in Europe is a time for elaborate pastries straight out of a medieval cookbook, for lyrical midnight masses in Gothic churches, and for the upholding of quirky local traditions—in many countries, Christmas just isn’t complete without mischievous pixies (Copenhagen), kindly witches (Rome), treacherous demons (Salzburg), or an 8,000-pound fruitcake (Dresden). However else Europeans celebrate the Yuletide season, Christmas still centers around an Advent market that, in most cases, has filled the square before the cathedral each December for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Many markets start on the Friday before Advent, which is four Sundays before Christmas Eve; most end on December 24, especially in Germanic countries, where Christmas Eve is set aside for trimming the tree at home. Others keep celebrating until Epiphany on January 6.

Brussels, Belgium
Brussels’ Christmas market has been around only since 2002, but it pulls off its Plaisirs d’Hiver/Winter Pret(“Pleasures of Winter”) festival with elegant style. The theatrics include a nightly sound-and-light show on the Grand Place and a market surrounding the Bourse (Stock Exchange) and along Place Sainte Catherine. In keeping with that Belgian spirit of a United Europe, the 200+ wooden chalets host artisans from around the world hawking a kaleidoscope of Christmas wares, handmade crafts, and souvenirs. Not that Belgian traditions are left out; browse the many food stalls for pots of moules(mussels) and caricoles (peppery whelks or winkles), Belgian fries and fluffy Belgian waffles, seasonal croustillons (sugar doughnuts), and Belgium’s two most welcome additions to world cuisine: fine chocolates and powerful beer. At one end of the shopping, near the fish market, you’ll find a spinning, glittering 160-foot Ferris wheel, and, at the Place de la Monnaie, a nearly 8,000-square-foot ice skating rink. 

Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen celebrates Jul (as in “yuletide”) with a Christmas crafts market and surfeit of light-bedecked Christmas trees in the city’s famed historic amusement park, Tivoli Gardens. Nearly four miles of lights are artfully hung in patterns dictated by Tiffany’s head designer, while hundres of strands are draped on the lakeside willows. Join the Danes in warding off the cold with æbleskiver(iced doughnuts with black currant jam) and glogg, a steaming hot mulled red wine laden with raisins, almonds, cinnamon sticks, and cloves—all of which are steeped in aquavit or schnapps. There’s also a crafts market installed along a canal in the historic Nyhavn district; try to visit it between 5 and 6pm weekdays to catch the town crier.


London, England
London’s Christmas shopping season opens in November, when Regent Street ceremoniously switches on its Christmas lights for a pedestrian parade. London typically spreads out its Christmas cheer, from the official Norwegian spruce on Trafalgar Square to the ice skating rink at Somerset House. Trees bedecked with fairy lights herald Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland (mid-Nov. – early Jan.), which includes London’s largest outdoor skating rink, a toboggan slide, a Ferris wheel, carolers, and a traditional German Christmas market. More small markets spring up at the Natural History Museum, which installs a temporary ice rink (early Nov. -mid-Jan.); and the Greenwich Market (most of Dec.). Christmas concerts abound, but it’s hard to resist the carol sing-along at the Royal Albert Hall (from mid Dec.).

Nuremberg, Germany
On the Friday before Advent, the golden Christmas Angel appears on the high gallery of the medieval Frauenkirche to recite the opening prologue for one of the biggest and most famous Christmas markets of them all. Some two million shoppers descend upon the 180+ candy cane-striped stalls that fill the main square with crafts, ornaments, and toys. The air is perfumed with gingerbread, glühwein, and smoke swirling from bratwurst grills. Market officials enforce traditions with typical Teutonic efficiency: no plastic wreaths, recorded Christmas Muzak, or gaudy carousels allowed.

Prague, Czech Republic
The two best Vanocni trh (Christmas markets) are on the long slope of Wenceslas Square and in the medieval movie set of the Old Town Square formed around a giant Christmas tree, manger scene, and small petting zoo. The markets’ brightly decorated stalls sell wooden toys, Bohemian crystal, handmade jewelry, classic Czech marionettes, and plenty of potential for tooth decay: honeyed gingerbread, vánocvka (a braided pastry studded with raisins), and vosí hnízda’ (“wasps nests,” nutty cookies heavy with rum). Wash it all down with mead and svarene vino (a sweet mulled wine). Christmas Eve dinner consists of wine sausages and carp—you’ll see barrels of the fish everywhere. FYI: Slip a carp scale into your wallet to ensure an adequate cash flow for the upcoming year.


Rome, Italy
Romans erect elaborate presepi (Nativity scenes) across the city, from life-size tableaux on the Spanish Steps and before St. Peter’s to countless crèches in church chapels, all populated by papier-mâché or terracotta figurines and most with a pizza parlor tucked between the shops of the Bethlehem backdrop. Market action centers in Rome on Piazza Navona, its Bernini fountains surrounded by stalls hawking toys, handmade presepio figures, carnival games of chance, ciambelle (dinner plate-size doughnuts), and 101 variations on peanut brittle.

Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg’s Christkindlmarkt is one of Europe’s oldest markets; there are documents from the 15th century describing the fine crafts being sold by elderly women in front of the Salzburg cathedral during Advent season. It is also smaller and more intimate than the others listed here—with under 100 stalls ranged under the floodlit baroque stage set that is downtown Salzburg, with its fountains snuggled under avant-garde glass casings for the winter, church bells echoing off the buildings, and the medieval castle glowering down from the cliff above. It’s a perfect postcard backdrop for browsing stalls selling pewter crafts, furry slippers, and loden coats while keeping warm with Lebkuchen (gingerbread), roasted chestnuts and almonds, sausages, and sweet mulled wine.

Strasbourg, France
The France/Germany border has spent centuries dancing to either side of the Alsace region. It’s currently in the France column, but its Teutonic traditions have blessed the Alsatian capital of Strasbourg with the oldest (445 years and counting) and best Christmas market in France, complete with caroling choirs, Nativity plays, an ice rink, and mulled wine served in boot-shaped mugs. Christkindelsmärik wooden stalls stacked with delicate ornaments and Nativity figurines surround Notre-Dame Cathedral and line Place Broglie. Edible specialties include pretzels, roasted chestnuts, bredele cookies, and Flammekeuche (a “flamed cake” thin pizza of bacon, onions, and crème fraîche).

The best gifts and souvenirs to bring home from your travels.

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Travelers always want to bring home something that will remind them of their trip — but many often get stuck buying cheap knick knacks from tourist traps. To avoid getting something you’ll only throw away in a few months, we’ve rounded up a list of some authentic items you should buy when abroad. 

Forget key chains and mini Eiffel Tower sculptures, here are the “real” best things to bring home from around the world.

Argentina: Leather goods
Argentina is famous for its leather products, so it’s a perfect place to pick up a pair of leather gloves, some leather shoes, or a leather wallet. The country has plenty of small boutiques where you can buy quality leather goods. 

Belgium: Lace
Belgium is home to some of the best lace and tapestry studios in the world. Belgian lace is all handmade, and often involves using over100 threads per bobbin. The cities of Brussels and Bruges are both known for their intricate lacework

China: Tea Pots
Anything relating to tea would be a great souvenir to bring home from China. A painted tea pot or tea cups would be a beautiful memento, but you could also bring back a tin of authentic Chinese tea to continue to enjoy at home. Opt for green tea, black tea, brick tea, scented tea, and oolong tea.

England: Cadbury’s Chocolate
Cadbury’s chocolate is a perfect gift to bring home since many agree that it is the best chocolate in the world. Plus, the Hershey Company just banned Cadbury’s chocolate in the United States — so it will be an extra special treat for any American friends.

France: Macarons
They won’t last long but macaron cookies are a wonderful souvenir to bring back from France. There are hundreds of places to buy macarons around France, but the ones from Pierre Hermé are arguably the best. Try the unusual flavors from the ‘Jardins’ collection.

Germany: Beer Steins
This is a fairly common souvenir to bring back from German, especially during times like the German Oktoberfest. Beer steins are typically made from stoneware, porcelain, pewter, and sometimes even glass. There are plenty of local stores in cities around Germany that sell authentic handmade beer steins.

Greece: Olive Oil
Greece is famous for its virgin olive oil production, and it is used in almost all of Greek recipes. One of the best places to pick up authentic Greek olive oil is the Kritsa Lassithi agricultural co-operative in the island of Crete. The co-op makes world-famous olive oil, which is often referred to as the ‘Rolls Royce of oils’. If you don’t want to bring back traditional cooking olive oil, you can also pick up some soaps or cosmetics that are made with olive oil.

Hungary: Paprika
Paprika is the perfect gift to bring back from Hungary because it is all over the country and the spice is incredibly cheap. Hungarian paprika is also unique and it is said to be sweeter than paprika grown in other soils and climates. A great place to find authentic local paprikais Budapest’s Great Market Hall.

Ireland: Whiskey
A quality bottle of whiskey is a classic souvenir to bring home from Ireland. A recommended place to pick up the Irish whiskey is the Bushmills’ Distillery in Northern Ireland, where you can actually see and smell the whiskey being made.

Italy: Traditional Venetian Masks
A great souvenir to bring home from Italy is a traditional Venetian mask. The masks are used in the annual Carnival, and are often intricate and beautiful. Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain, or glass. Pick up the mask from Ca’Macana, one of the oldest mask making workshops in Venice. The store is known for its authentic handmade masks that are made in the same way Venetian artisans would do 800 years ago. 

Japan: Electronics
Japan is on the cutting-edge of technology and is known for its electronics. Sure, some electronics are cheaper here, but that’s not the only reason to buy electronics in Japan: you’ll also find innovative and sometimes bizarre products that you’d never find back home. The best place to buy electronics — from cameras and TVs to rice cookers — is the Akihabara district in Tokyo.

Morocco: Ceramics
A colorful hand-painted ceramic bowl is a beautiful and unique gift to bring home from Morocco. Decorative pieces are often hand-painted with intricate floral and geometric designs. The cities that are the main centers for ceramics are Safi and Fez.

The Netherlands: Cheeses
For any foodie, cheese is the perfect gift to bring back home from the Netherlands. There are plenty of different varieties available, and stores will usually have the cheese sealed airtight for free. In the Reypenaer cheese tasting room, you can test all different types of quality cheese before purchasing something to bring home.

Poland: Amber Jewelry
Amber is the native gemstone of Poland, and there are hundreds of shops selling quality jewelry around the country. Polish jewelers have more than 80 names to describe types of amber, from flame and honey to clouded and woolly, according to the National Geographic. It is also believed that amber jewelry can bring good luck.

Portugal: Ceramic Tiles
Portuguese tiles, known as azulejos, have had a huge influence on the culture. Azulejos tiles are everywhere in Portugal — they are on the walls of churches, homes, benches, fountains, bars, restaurants, and subways stations. Buying a tile item in one of the many souvenir shops around the country would be a perfect way to bring back a bit of Portugal.

Russia: Lacquer Boxes
Lacquer boxes can be found all around Russia, and are a great souvenir to take back home. The beautiful hand painted boxes are made of several layers of papier-mâché pressed together and oven-dried. The images on the boxes are usually scenes from Russian fairy tales and legends.  The top producers of lacquer art are the towns of Palekh, Fedoskino, and Mstera. 

South Africa: Amarula
Amarula is a cream liqueur made from the exotic Marula fruit, and is a great gift to bring back home for friends. The marula fruit is indigenous to the woodlands of Southern Africa — and the liquor is supposed to taste of slightly fruity caramel.

Spain: Wine
It’s usually a safe bet to bring home wine home as a souvenir — and what better place to buy wine than in the Spanish countryside?  Spain’s major wine regions are Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Valdepeñas.

Turkey: Copper Coffee Sets
Turkey is famous for its production of copper and its unique way of brewing coffee. A perfect souvenir for someone who wants to try to brew their own Turkish coffee is an authentic copper coffee set. You can find plenty of different types of coffee sets at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar.

Ten Reasons Why You Should Book A Cruise Through A Travel Agent

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1. Travel agents are knowledgeable experts.
First and most importantly, travel agents provide knowledge and expertise that has taken them years to collect. This consultative experience with travel agents is incredibly valuable to consumers because it allows them to combine their own research with the expertise of their trusted travel agent and ultimately feel very confident in their final decision.
2. Travel agents offer advice at little cost.
If you have a chance to hire a professional advocate and researcher at little cost to you (we’re paid by the suppliers), why would pass up that added value?
3. Travel agents deliver one-stop shopping.
We are able to create a seamless travel experience with transfers, air, as well as unique pre and post tours and hotels. We are also able to create private shore excursions that are unique to each port. We bring added value to every booking.
4. Travel agents provide an added level of support.
Cruise companies absolutely rely on agents as their primary means of distribution—and it’s not just the distribution, it’s also just the support travel agencies provide.
5. Travel agents serve as your advocate when things go astray.
There’s so much advice we can offer, it helps to have an agent before you go on a trip. But it’s also great to have an agent for when things go bump in the night, to have someone to call when you have a delayed flight. That’s what keeps customers coming back. Yes, they might get a lower price, but if you want service, we’re the ones who will be there for you at 3 a.m.”
6. Travel agents understand your needs.
Travel professionals get to know their customer, their wants and their needs, really well. It’s almost as if your best friend is booking a trip for you.
7. Travel agents are here to stay.
The profession is only going to become stronger and more needed…Cruise companies are going to need them to continue to sell cruises more than ever.
8. Travel agents are impartial advisors.
A good agent is impartial and will always recommend and give insights into the best choice for the client, not the supplier. Going direct to suppliers limits your feedback to what is best for you, the client.
9. A live travel agent is better than a click.
When you get a good travel agent on the phone she can enhance your vacation with knowledge and expertise that you can’t get on the internet. And we have access to all types of promotions.
10. A travel agent is a personal shopper at no cost.
With most cruise lines there is no price difference between booking direct and booking with a local travel agent, so the customer gets all the benefits of a personal shopping experience at no extra cost. It’s the equivalent of the perfect storm of reasons to work with travel agents! Travel agents are also close to home, allowing a personal and very customized experience, and this is something that no 1-800 number can provide. 

Road Tripping Through Europe

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There’s plenty to know before you drive a car in Europe, where road signs, fuel names, and hidden traffic cameras can be intimidating to tourists. But driving in Europe is really only a problem for those who make it one.

Admittedly, some places are easier to handle than others. The British Isles have the advantage of no language barrier and fine roads. And after one near head-on collision scares the bloody heck out of you, you’ll have no trouble remembering which side of the road to drive on.

There are lots of good places for newbie drivers abroad. In Scandinavia, roads meander peacefully from village to village, hugging the lip of majestic fjords. Belgium and the Netherlands are easy on four wheels, but yield to bikes — you’re outnumbered. Wannabe race-car drivers enjoy Germany’s wonderfully engineered freeways, and driving down sunny alpine valleys in Switzerland and Austria will have you yodeling in auto ecstasy.

Some travelers obsess about the possibility of a car accident while driving in Europe, but you’re no more likely to have an accident there than you are at home. And any mishap will most likely be the result of a tight squeeze in a parking garage (ask for a small car). Whether your rental car is damaged or just gets a flat tire, it likely comes with 24-hour emergency roadside assistance.

But be prepared — there is some truth to the myth of the daredevil European driver. Italians in particular tend to make up their own rules. In Rome, red lights are considered “discretionary.” On one trip, my cab driver went through three red lights. White-knuckled, I asked, “Scusi, non hai visto il semafaro rosso?” Did you not see red lights? He said, “When I come to light, I look. If no cars come, I go through. If policeman sees no cars — no problema. He agrees — red light stupido.” The moral, especially in Europe, is: Drive defensively.

All of Europe uses the same simple set of road symbols. Learn them. It will reduce your stress level considerably if you can instantly recognize the sign for “no parking,” “danger,” or “all vehicles prohibited.” (Find the signs online by searching “European Road Signs.”) For the rules of the road in the country you’re visiting, check http://www.driverknowledgetests.com/resources/unusual-european-driving-rules. Take a little time before you travel to discover the different rules and enjoy a smoother and less stressful driving experience.

When you pick up your rental car, confirm the type of gas your car needs. In some countries, pumps are color-coded to help you find the right fuel. Keep the terms straight: Unleaded gas is called petrol or benzine, while diesel is known as gasoil or gasol.

In bigger towns and at major sights, you’ll probably need to pay for parking (European pay lots are typically well-patrolled). If you’re not sure how to pay, just watch and imitate the drivers around you. Parking garages usually require that you take a ticket with you and pay at a machine on the way back to the car. In smaller lots, look for a machine selling time, plug in a few euros, push the button, and get a receipt that you’ll display on your dash.

Wherever you drive, be aware that Big Brother might be watching. In many countries, traffic is monitored by automatic cameras that check car speed, click photos, and send speeders tickets by mail. In many Italian city centers, car traffic is banned altogether, and you should never drive or park anywhere you see signs reading Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL, often shown above a red circle). If you do, even briefly by accident, your license plate will be photographed and a hefty ticket will be waiting for you at home.

Even if you’re navigating with a GPS device, it’s essential to have a good reference map. My family and I once made the mistake of driving from the Bavarian Alps to Munich with only my GPS computer-voiced companion to guide me. Unfortunately, she didn’t know that the access road to the autobahn was closed. A paper map would have led me to an alternate route much more quickly than my hunt-and-peck adventure.

Driving into unfamiliar places is easier than you might think, given that most European towns have signs directing you to the “old town” or the center. The tourist office, normally right downtown, will usually be clearly signposted. The tallest spire often marks the center of the old town — just drive toward it. To find your way out of town, look for the sign for “all directions” (toutes directions, Alle Richtungen, and so on).

Most of our clients who drive overseas come back bragging about their ultimate road trip. The independence of the open road is all about adventure and possibility. Behind the wheel, you’re totally free, going where you want, when you want. Start your engine and “Buon Viaggio”!

10 Wacky Christmas Traditions From Around the World

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What make the holidays super special apart from the food, family and friends, are the traditions. Some traditions are…well, very traditional. But others can be fun and very weird. Here’s a highlight of the weirdest and most interesting Christmas traditions from around the world that we have found for you.

Christmas Pickle
It’s an old tradition where a pickle ornament is hidden on the Christmas tree. The first person to find the pickle among all the other ornament is said to receive an extra present on Christmas. The tradition has stories originating from the Spain to Germany, but either way it seems like a fun and not to mention weird tradition!

Roller Skating to Mass
From December 16th to December 24th, there’s a very unique tradition that takes place in Caracas, Venezuela. The busy city streets of Caracas are closed off before 8 AM to any motor traffic. This allows the streets to be open to traffic on 4-wheels! It has been customary in Venezuela to attend Misa de Aguinaldo (Early Morning Mass) and by closing traffic off to bulky cars and buses; everyone can skate to mass on time.

Spider Webs (Here’s an odd item you wouldn’t automatically associate with Christmas.)
On a Ukrainian Christmas tree the site of a spider or web is not unusual. The folk tale that goes with the tradition says a poor family woke up on Christmas morning to find their once bare tree decorated with spider webs that shined silver and gold in the morning sun.

Crackers
Christmas crackers or bon-bons are a fun item to celebrate with in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries. The cracker is a cardboard tube wrapped in holiday wrapping twisted at the ends. The fun part starts when you hold on to one side of the twisted end, another person holds the other, and you pull! With a BANG, the cracker will split unevenly, and the luckier individual will be holding the longer end of the cracker — which holds a special prize.

Crackers are also a part of New Years celebration in some places. Wouldn’t it be just fun if crackers were a part of every holiday?

Fried Chicken
Make reservation for your Christmas Chicken today! Those residing in Japan have already begun the process of pre-ordering their fried chicken for Christmas. Unlike the traditional ham or turkey North Americans are used to seeing during the holidays, many in Japan celebrate by eating fried chicken. While less than 1 percent of the Japanese population is estimated to be Christian, by the power of marketing and advertising it has become common practice to eat KFC during Christmas. The meal is also accompanied by a delicious Christmas cake for dessert. Let the feasting begin!

Christmas Witch
In Italy, children will go to bed waiting for a magical being to bring presents, and I don’t mean Santa Claus.

In Italian folklore, an old witch delivers gifts and candy to children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). Santa’s competitor, La Befana, is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick, usually covered in soot as she enters homes through chimneys. Very similar to the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, children will leave wine and food out for the Befana.

Brooms
Ok — so going along with the Christmas Witch story, here’s one about brooms. There’s a superstition in Norway that advises households to hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. It is believed that witches and evil spirits will rise from the graves and use the brooms to fly through the sky and create chaos until dawn. Doesn’t this sound very much like Halloween?

SantaCon
If there’s a reason to celebrate, you are sure to find all sorts of gatherings! Around this time of the year, there’s a huge Santa gathering in New York City. To celebrate the holiday season, New Yorkers get together dressed up head-to-toe as Christmas characters. The city is filled with reds and greens, as Santas and Elves spread holiday cheer during SantaCon.

Radish Carvings
Radish figures line the central plaza of Oaxaca on December 23rd and 24th. Nativity scenes, conquistadors, dancers, historical and mythological events are sculpted from radishes by Mexican artisans and add to the colorful holiday celebration. El Festival de los Rabanos (The Festival of Radishes) is a one-of-a-kind festival that features dance, food and delicately carved radishes.

Out of all the wacky traditions, this one is probably the weirdest and funniest of them all.

The Pooper
In the principality of Catalonia, it has become customary to decorate the traditional nativity scene with an extra something, or rather someone. This extra character is known as El Caganer, also known as “the pooper.” While traditionally the ceramic figure has been that of a shepherd, contemporary figures range in all different personalities from politicians to Darth Vader.

Do you have an interesting family holiday tradition? Why not try one of these wacky traditions or start a new one.

Happy Holidays!