Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at AESU!
Christmas is in the air! While we’re definitely partial to getting together with our families and spending the holidays at home with a hot cup of cocoa, it’s fascinating to observe how other cities around the world show their Christmas spirit. What better way to put visions of sugar plum fairies and your next adventure in your head? The pandemic may make traveling internationally very difficult right now, but you can always begin to plan your next adventure for when restrictions lift. Here are some of the jolliest places to visit during the Christmas season!
Salzburg
Salzburg is famed as the setting of The Sound of Music which makes its appearances on our televisions every year in America during Christmas week. It also holds the annual Christkindlmarkt, a Christmas market with roots going all the way back to the late 1400’s. Sing-alongs, mulled wine, and local delicacy bauernkrapfen are mainstays of this market. Have you found yourself in the city during the rest of the year? Salzburg keeps its Christmas spirit year-round at the Christmas in Salzburg shop on Goldgasse!
London
London is a fantastic city to spend Christmas in. Whether you wish to wander around and take in the Dickensian charm of the city streets, share in the spirit of the holidays with the locals at one of the many pubs, or shop until you drop, London has it all. Nothing quite says Christmas in London, though, like a skate around the ice at the courtyard of the Somerset House. It exemplifies the British Christmas experience much like a skate at Rockefeller Plaza in New York does for Americans!
Cologne
You could probably find a Christmas market anywhere, but no one does them better than Germany. And of those in Germany, you’ll find the best one in Cologne. Cologne’s Christmas Market draws around four million visitors every winter and is known for entertainment, the lovely views from the nearby Cathedral, and all of the charming crafts for sale.
Dubai
Dubai is known as a city that goes big no matter what. This goes as much for Christmas decorating as it does for building skyscrapers! Christmas tree lightings are abundant throughout the city and you can also check out the annual Santa Run – it’s exactly what it sounds like! Dubai is also known for crazy shopping, so be sure to take the time (and some cash!) to visit one of the many Christmas markets in the city.
Dublin
Dublin’s the perfect place to spend Christmas if you want to warm up at the pub with a pint. Beyond the pub scene, Dublin also features Christmas markets, tree lighting ceremonies all over the city, and The Moving Crib, a mechanical display featuring scenes from the Bible.
Reykjavik
The Icelandic capital shines as much in the sky as it does in the streets during Christmastime. Make your way to a darker part of the city to see the beautiful Northern Lights in the sky on a clear evening. Also, you may come across the 13 Yule Lads, a group of holiday trolls, during your visit – these are Iceland’s local folklore equivalent to Santa Claus and are mainstays of Reykjavik during this time of the year!
Explore the World with AESU!
Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Looking to travel next year? Experience our brand-new domestic tours with beautiful destinations such as the California Wine Country, Nashville Music City, The Wild Wild West, and Outdoor Wonderland – British Columbia!
2021 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.