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Spend
the Holidays in One of These Delightful European =
Cities
 Ready
for some good news for a change? Airline prices are starting to =
=E2=80=93 gasp =E2=80=93
drop and the dollar is getting stronger. What better time to take a
European holiday than during
the holidays? Stroll through fabulous markets, enjoy local cuisine =
and see
how the holidays are celebrated in some of the most beautiful cities =
in the
world. So, forget making a holiday wish list this year =E2=80=93 =
just escape and
enjoy.
Christmas
Market - Munich, Germany
November 28 - December 24, 2008
 The
Christmas Market in Munich is one of the oldest in Europe. Official =
records
first make mention of it in 1642. And today you can find some of the =
items
originally available 400 years ago such as gingerbread, cotton =
children's
clothes and manger figurines. Now the festival spreads across the =
vast Town
Hall square, Marienplatz and offer the visitor holiday favorites =
such as
warm spiced wine, hot cinnamon chestnuts, traditional Alpine and =
holiday
music and every imaginable Christmas ornament and trinket to make
decorating a special event.
The Tollwood Festival takes place almost concurrently at the
Olympiapark, Nov. 26 - Dec.31, 2008. Just a few U-Bahn stops from
Marienplatz, here you'll find live music, performing arts, and =
handicrafts
from around the world.
If your schedule doesn't allow for pre-holiday trips, try the =
pre-Lenten
season of Fasching.
Munich hosts the largest number of balls, parades and other events =
for this
German version of Carnival, or Madrid Gras.
The
Cradle of Christmas: Rome
 Rome is beautiful, lively and filled with =
history.
What more could you ask for in a holiday escape? The city will be =
alive and
the weather may be mild enough to enjoy some meals and vin =
brul=C3=A9 (mulled
wine) outside =E2=80=93 but pack your winter gear also just in case =
=E2=80=93 it can get
chilly. Holiday travelers will of course head to the Vatican
and visitors may be able to take in the Papal mass on Christmas Eve =
or the
Pope=E2=80=99s Christmas message in front of St. Peter=E2=80=99s. In =
St. Peter=E2=80=99s square
visitors can take in a famous life-size nativity scene. Nativity =
scenes in
general are a big draw in Rome and worth checking out at churches =
around
the city. At the Christmas
market in Piazza Navona you shop for own nativity scene, sweet =
treats,
toys, Christmas ornaments and lots of other great gifts to take =
home.
Where to stay? Try the FortySeven
which offers connected family rooms for up to five people and =
separate
bathrooms in each. This hotel also has a special Euro/Dollar =
exchange
programs for US citizens only.
Feliz =
Navidad -
Madrid
 Like most other European =
cities
Madrid puts on its own versions of these traditional Holiday markets =
and
events. The main Christmas Market is located in the beautiful Plaza =
Mayor.
Some of the highlights of the season include; extensive lighting =
displays along
all the main boulevards, a sound and light display for kids at the =
Gardens
of Discovery near the Plaza Colon (Dec. 22 - Jan.7), and the annual =
animal
parade in Retiro Park on Christmas Eve. For a little exercise and =
fun
during this time, the city sets up outdoor skating rinks in the =
parks
around this city.
Try the Petit
Palace Arenal Hotel for reasonably priced accommodations, =
located in
the heart of the Holiday fun in the Plaza del Sol. Rates start at =
=E2=82=AC112.
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