We're feeling festive over here! With an early December snow in Vancouver (it hardly ever snows here on the West Coast) and the excitement of a baby's first Christmas, things are getting merry and bright! One particularly transient holiday season brought us to Christmas markets in four different countries. By the end of our tours we were brimming with Christmas spirit. In hopes of topping up your Christmas cup with cheer, here are a smattering of sparkly and cheerful pictures. So put on that digital fireplace, grab a hot chocolate and have a little scroll!
London, England- We went to the Fatherland (literally, my father's homeland) in late November, and along with having the most wonderful time visiting with family, hitting up some touristy spots in London (Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Borough Market, Piccadilly Circus, etc. and even caught a performance of The Lion King), we delighted in the fact that everything was getting super Christmas-y and sparkly all over the city. As we tromped through London, we would come across pockets of Christmas joy and could never resist stopping for a mug of Christmas cheer or a tasty little nibble of some sort (special mention to the Yorkshire pudding wraps for bringing Christmas dinner to the streets). Enjoying the Christmas vibes so much, we dedicated one of our entire days to the Christmas market in our Uncle's town, shopping, eating, drinking and generally being 'Mary' with a gaggle of Harwoods.
HappyChristmas!
Tirana, Albania- Definitely not a Christmas market that is making waves on any of the 'top ten' lists...but we were so lucky to have such a fantastic market on our doorstep! (Generally speaking though, Albania should be on everyone's top ten European travel list.) For the two years we lived in Albania, we whole-heartedly enjoyed the Christmas market hosted at the huge Skanderbeg Square. It was delightful to see that in the second year, the market only grew to be bigger, brighter and more festive! In fact, the whole downtown core of Tirana does a great job to deck the halls and light up the dark winter nights. Having an insatiable appetite for Christmas, the market was basically our restaurant and entertainment of choice for the month of December. We spent our fair share of evenings gathered around a fire, mulling wine, and filling up on zgare (grilled meats, veggies, bread & cheese...If you have the opportunity to eat at an Albanian grill restaurant, don't pass it up!).
GëzuarKrishtlindjet!
Vienna, Austria- Finally we were on Christmas vacation and off to spend two weeks in Spain and Morocco. But first we took advantage of a 12 hour layover in Vienna, and spent the night on a Christmas market crawl through the city. And holy Christmas crackers! If Albania was a zero on the notable Christmas Market list, Vienna's markets must be topping the charts--With Christmas markets being a tradition since the 1300's, Vienna is very merry and bright. Just as we'd finish one glühwein, the next market's lights were already twinkling in the distance. What a delight! Ice skating, carolling, manger scenes, market treasures, sweets, treats and sugar plum fairies galore! We finished our abridged tour of Vienna at the city's main and biggest market outside of City Hall. Aptly named The Viennese Dream Christmas Market, is was pure magic! With the impressive City Hall serving as the backdrop, spirits were high. A fun tidbit about City Hall (which I cannot verify because I was told this afterwards by an Austrian friend) is that the windows are used as a living advent calendar, lit up one-by-one as Christmas Eve draws near. Love the idea and I hope it's true, but again I did not notice this wonderful detail when we were there. Perhaps this hearsay is as whimsical as the whole Viennese Christmas splendour!
FroheWeihnachten!
Barcelona, Spain- Admittedly, we felt a bit spoiled for Christmas festivities at this point and weren't actively seeking any markets. As we arrived in Spain on the 24th, things were generally winding down and getting quiet. Even though we've spent our share of Christmas days away from our family, (many by choice, wanting to spend the holidays travelling), Christmas Eve is always a mixed bag of emotions. Without fail, there comes a moment on Christmas Eve of heavy sadness and homesickness, missing settling down in the cozy company of family and soaking in the magic of the holiday. Along with inevitable tears, we usually occupy ourselves by drinking, eating and generally over indulging in anything to distract ourselves. Our Christmas in Spain was no different... up until a point. Having just popped into a bodega to grab more libations, we stepped out into the square to a large crowd quietly singing Christmas carols. And oh my, oh my! My heart was aglow with warm Christmas feelings. That Christmas I got the gift of one of my most treasured travel memories 💕
FelizNavidad!
Now...Go slip into your best/worst Christmas sweater, get those shortbread in the oven, belt out Oh Holy Night, and from us to you, have the most wonderful holiday season!
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