Guide to Piazza Navona Christmas Market, Rome, Italy

Image by oneillsdc5 via Flickr

By Orson Johnson


If you happen to be in Rome during the Christmas season, you should not fail to pay visit to the Piazza Navona Christmas Market. From the market, visitors will be able to spot famous Roman architecture in the surrounding areas. The market square is an important part of the city's architectural history and was built in the first century to serve as a Roman Circus where the people could enjoy games, horse races and theatrical shows. The piazza Navona was once known as the Stadium of Domitian. It is is hedged in by a beautiful church and three fountains, namely, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of Neptune. There are a few other buildings around the piazza as well.

Milan - A New Choice on How to Spend Christmas Holidays

Image via Wikipedia
By Silem Oidualc


In these last years Milan is becoming one of the best and more popular destinations where to spend Christmas holidays. Thanks to the dozens of events it hosts everyday, such as fairs, typical markets, free concerts, cultural initiatives, Milan is today one of the most attractive cities in Europe for old and young people.
Especially at Christmas time the city changes its face; all begins on 7th December with a wonderful celebration for the feast of Saint'Ambrose, the city's patron Saint. Every year Milan in those days organizes an ancient and famous Christmas market full of sweet and typical products: the "Oh Bej! Oh Bej!" fair, that literally means "So Beautiful! So Beautiful!" Here you can find everything, from antique stalls and buskers to roast chestnuts and candy floss. The fair provides an excellent opportunity to do some Christmas shopping, and is particularly enjoyed by children.

Germany Travel Tip - Discover Cologne

Image by tamburix via FlickrBy Monika Petra


There are many ways to discover a city. One way is definitely through the taste of local foods and drinks. It's fun, delicious and tells a lot about the cultural heritage. Some dishes are only served or liked in a particular season, depending on the availability. Typical winter dishes will be a bit heavier while starting in early summer; people prefer fresh salads, fruits and vegetables. Tradition also still plays a role in the daily lives of Germans and thinking about the winter season in Cologne, one might picture Spekulatius, freshly roasted chestnuts and Reevkoche.

Image by Jeff Hester via Flickr

Christmas Breaks in Barcelona

Author: Asif Khan

Christmas seems to begin earlier and earlier each year. It seems that no sooner do the skulls, witches and vampires for Halloween leave the shop windows do we see Santa Claus, Rudolph and the elves appear. Then as soon as Saint Steven's day arrives, the shops are full of the January sales! Well, Barcelona in Spain is different. OK, so maybe the decorations do start to spring up a little after Halloween, but Christmas festivities in Barcelona breaks go on for much longer than just 26th December.
New Years is a huge celebration, in the bars and restaurants, and on the streets. People are dressed up and there is a carnival atmosphere. As the clocks strike twelve, the people of Barcelona eat twelve grapes in time with each of the chimes.
There will be bright lights everywhere you go and gifts for anyone on your list. You might even find some snow. However, not as much as you may find in other parts of Europe. You will find singing all around, specialty foods that are only treasured during this time. You will also find that many places like museums celebrate the holidays but are not open on Christmas Day.
Shopping in the Catalan Capital of Barcelona is one of the best things to do to aside from visiting many of the cultural and heritage sites the Mediterranean city has to offer. Shopping malls and small winding alleyways filled with shops are the hub of the centre of the city - the old town, or Casc Antiguo - and there are certainly some bargains to be had if you know the right places.
On Christmas Eve in Barcelona you will find it filled with special visitors in the homes there. Mainly those homes with children will get a visit from the "caga tió" a round wooden log which represents the practice of giving presents. This log marks the beginning of the holiday season and that Santa Claus is coming. This is also the time many families gather and spend some time outdoors. During the day the parents will hide the log and then the children will find it and hit it with a stick to bring forth presents.
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