What if Santa Claus decided to gift us adults with his choicest gifts for being… err…well behaved or shall we say, well earning! The thought brings a smile and the glee is apparent and so will his advice, as he takes upon himself to be our ‘guide’ to have a great time during the Christmas break. And Santa believes in bringing cheers and merrymaking which can never be experienced alone, so his gifts of advice also extends to your family! Happy but confused? Well don’t be, because Claus is here with his Santa advice on holiday destinations…. one destination each post.
• Vienna: As you think of the visit to the grand Austrian capital of Vienna, which is well known for its festive attire during the holidays; you can imagine charmingly decorated streets, warmly lit restaurants, festive shops & people enjoying with family and friends.
The city hosts some of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe. These markets spring all across Europe and are an absolute treat to all of your senses. Vibrant with merrymaking, live music, traditional food and drinks, these markets are hubs for a unique shopping experience since folks from little villages and towns nearby bring their local produce and handicrafts. Santa assures you of finding just the right ornaments to bring back for your own Christmas tree.
Look out for some unique goodies like scarves, caps, jackets & shoes. Tasty treats and fruits could be bought and enjoyed as you stroll through the market. The mulled wine is a must do as well and chocolates, of course. Choral performances add a new and magical dimension to the winter experience of the city during Christmas.
If you are the fun & adventure kind, get your skating boots – Ice rinks abound the city and are located in some seriously impressive locations such as Gardens of the Wilhelminenberg Palace and the esplanade in front of the Vienna Konzerthaus.
• Salzburg: Think ‘Do-Re-Mi from Sound of Music’ and Julie Andrews singing with a bright cheerful smile – yes – that’s Salzburg.
But do you know, that the eternal Christmas song – Silent Night, was composed and performed for the first time in 1818 at Salzburg? Well yes – for a lot of us a Christmas eve cannot be complete without singing the Silent Night while holding the candle! Santa recommends Salzburg for that and more! The host to some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Salzburg, is a city that sparkles during Christmas. With a tradition going back to 500 years and counting, its Christmas markets is one of the oldest in the continent.
An enormous Christmas tree boasts a spectacular ornament stand – the kind of lights that special memories are made up of. Santa recommends breaking the bread with fellow travelers as a highlight of the day. The steaming mulled wines offered at the wooden stalls is sure to make you want to come back every other year – Santa promises. Although smaller than Vienna, Salzburg, which is the birthplace of the classical composer Mozart, offers immense breathtaking architectural marvels and an authentic White Christmas experience.
• Hallstatt: Not far from Salzburg, Hallstatt - a UNESCO world heritage destination, is a small village with only 900 inhabitants.
Absolutely stunning during winter with the snow- covered wooden homes, it’s a perfect holiday destination for Christmas. Situated alongside a glittering lake, with snowcapped mountains in the background, Hallstatt has fairytale written all over it. Get your skiing gear together or would you prefer dogsledding? Either way – Hallstatt is must visit, says Santa.
• Innsbruck: Highly recommended by Santa, Innsbruck, with its sheer position beneath the Austrian Alps makes for a destination not to be missed while in Austria.
During winter, the Old Town with its incredible medieval Gothic architecture and labyrinth of narrow streets transforms to a fairytale under the spell of the winter snow. Set in the heart of the Old Town, the Altstadt Christmas market is the place to be, says Santa. Exploring the joyous and colorful city while it is immersed in holiday merry making is sure to give you a peak to the wondrous White Christmas that Santa so loves.
So, here’s a trivia for you about Santa! Santa, is competitive in Austria, you know why? Because, the traditional present provider in Austria, is Christkind and not Santa!!
Until recently, Christkind, had almost sole rights over delivering presents, along with a candle-laden tree, to Austrian children. But Santa has been working hard and gaining popularity in Austria; come spread the word – Call us at Make Holidays Easy for more such singular holiday expertise!
