Christmas in Paris

Maybe this year you choose to see how fashionable Parisians spend Christmas time. Bursting with the holidays spirit, Paris has always been a destination for romantic couples, families, food lovers and stylish Xmas shoppers. It's the perfect place to spend the festive season, celebrating in Paris, the City of Lights.

Champs-Elysées

Whenever I get to Paris, the first important thing I do, is take a stroll down the elegant Champs-Elysées. It always looks marvelous, but in Christmas it is breathtaking. The famous avenue it decked out with sparkling Christmas trees, and over 150 000 colorful lights decorate the avenue from the Palace de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. This will set you in the right mood for Christmas shopping. The famed Lido de Paris cabaret is situated here, but I prefer to buy Moulin Rouge tickets since that's where cabaret was born. 

Christmas Markets

As a traveler, I love the Euro. Having the same coin almost all over Europe makes it easier to value all those price tags out there. I know immediately if the price that is in front of me is or not in my price range. it's the perfect situation for the 'need to do' gifts shopping. In Paris there are some charming Christmas markets that are open until the New Year. I also love to go to the wonderful Galleries Lafayette department store, even if some things there are over of my budget. I recommended it not only for the luxury shopping, but also for the decorations, the huge Christmas tree under the marvelous glass dome and the Christmas carols.

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Top 3 Pics For Christmas in Las Vegas

Are you ready for Christmas? Are you still looking for a great location for a Christmas city break. This might come as a surprise to you, but not only Los Angels and New York should be high on your list, as Las Vegas is a perfect destination for the winter holidays.

Las Vegas does everything BIG, including Christmas. Everything is opened for Christmas. No shop, casino,  show, bar, restaurant,  attraction, buffet will be closed. If you choose Las Vegas for your Christmas city break destination, you are in for some excellent fun. The Vegas strip is bursting with the Christmas spirit, as every casino tries to have the best decorations in town, starting with the lights and finishing with the huge Christmas trees. And the shows will blow you away, but try to buy your tickets in time as they sell very, very fast.

I have to warn you that eating out is not cheap during this time of the year. All buffets double in price. So do the regular restaurants. If money is an issue, a tip would be to eat in the restaurant of the hotel, as for Christmas this is the cheapest option.

Bellagio Fountains

Now you can admire the Bellagio Fountains all year long, but there is no time like Christmas to spend some time with your love to watch this dancing fountains. Of course the music is changed from the rest f the year. Christmas music will accompany the dancing drops of water and delight your ears, putting you in just the right romantic mood for the holidays. Don't forget to go inside of the Bellagio to see the magically Atrium decorated for Christmas.

Bellagio's Conservatory & The Botanical Gardens

Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens celebrate the holidays with flying reindeer and polar bears, a custom-sculptured rocking house and a great looking Bellagio train going around it. But in the center of attention is the the huge tree decorated with thousands of Christmas lights. Try to be there between 5 pm and 6 pm to catch the live musical performance.

Chocolate Wonderland and The Cactus Garden

Probably the best thing that you can do in las Vegas for the holidays is to visit Chocolate Wonderland and The Cactus Garden. Right in front of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory there is the Cactus Garden located with a wonderful display of more than half a million of Christmas lights, chocolate houses and chocolate sculptures. This place is so great that even Santa Clause comes to visit it every year, and if you are lucky (or look into his official time table) you can catch a glimpse of the old guy.

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Christmas in New York

I am sure you have already heard it - for Christmas the best place to be it's New York. And this is absolutely true, as specially now there are so many opportunities to experience the Big Apple at reduced rates that you can find starting from hotels to restaurants and beyond. It turns out that a city break to New York is surprisingly easy on the wallet.

Christmas Holiday Walking Tours

If you are for the first time in New York, the easiest way to discover the city is to opt for one of the many Christmas walking tours that are organised in the city. You can book them either online or when you arrive in the city just ask in any tourist office about the many walking tours available. During such tours you can find out also a bit more about the history of New York and why Christmas is one of the most important holidays here, since the end of the 19th century..

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Every year, at the end of November you can participate to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Party. It is one of the New York's most celebrated events and a famous symbol of the how well the city knows to celebrate Christmas. As a visitor  you can book access to a the cocktail party in the evening from where you can admire the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree being lit. Later, during the month of December you can book an elegant dinner by the Tree.

Sitting in Santa's Lap

Now you know you want this... you always wanted this - for one time in your life to meet Santa Claus and sit in his lap and ask him for all what your heart desires. There are many opportunities around New York to do that, as Santa is a magical old chap and he is present all over the town. But if you don't want to fight the crowds and cue in long lines, why don't you ask in the tourist information of how to book your breakfast with Santa. It will be an intimate gathering of just few people and you can enjoy your time with the old man so much better.

Christmas Market

One of my favorite thing to do for Christmas is to visit a Xmas Market, and of course new York does not disappoint here either. You just have to go to The Pond at Bryant park to find the best Christmas shops this side of the Atlantic Ocean. There are many opportunities to find small gifts for your family and friends, as this kind of market offers you a quick and easy access to everything season related and more...

Tip: If this year you cannot visit New York, Los Angles or Las Vegas and you happen to be on the other side of the Atlantis Ocean, in Europe, do not despair. The old continent has plenty to offer for the holidays. Have a look at the top Christmas markets in Europe.

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Top 3 Christmas Market Breaks

If you live in Europe and you are looking for a short getaway during the Christmas season, well look no more. We have the best tips for you right here. we have selected three best locations of Christmas markets that are for sure to ignite again your Christmas spirit and put you into the right set of mind of Christmas shopping, of buying gifts for your loved ones,

Location: Bruges

Period: 23 November - 31 December

Our first destination is in Bruges.

Held every year in the Market Square, the Christmas market is easy to find. Once you are there you'll dive into a world of colorful lights, festive decorated stalls and most importantly a ton of Christmas goodies. There are more than 30 Christmas stalls that will impress you with the diversity of Christmas gifts that they hold.

You can definitely find hand made decorations, all kind of magical presents, nativity figurines, Christmas decorations, specialty foods, and of course chocolates and sweets.

And when you are done shopping, you can stop at the open-air ice rink or at the Christmas Hobby and the Toy Fair.

Location: Lille

Period: 21 November - 30 December

Our second destination is in Lille.

The most amazing Christmas decorations enhance the beauty of Lille and specially of the Grand palace and the Place Rihour where you can find the loveliest Christmas market. About 83 adorable, original decorated wodden stalls are filled with the incredible Christmas gifts, ready for the picking. Your family and friends will love you even more for thinking about them this year and bringing them such wonders from your travels. But there is so much entertainment going on, that any Scrooge like thoughts will be pushed away. I am talking about out-door theater, Christmas games and trips to the Ferris wheel to see the whole town from the top. And if you are looking for great food, well, this is the right place for you, as you will be pampered with the most delicious French Christmas delicacies... and there is also gingerbread. 

Location: Brussels

Period: 30 November - 6 January

Our third choice is in Brussels.

Maybe you have heard about the Plaisirs d'Hiver before. In English it translates into "Winter Pleasures" and it's such an appropriated name for Brussels Christmas market. An impressive number of over 200 traditional stalls are spread through the Bourse area, the Place Sainte-Catherine and the fish market. You can imagine how many Christmas presents you can buy in such an extraordinary placve.

But there is more! Two ice skating rinks are waiting for you, one for advanced skaters, and one for casual skaters or beginners like me.

And don't forget to have some waffles!

Any of these three location will offer you everything your heart can desire for Christmas.. well, almost everything. Somethings only Santa Clause can bring you.

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The Wonders of Lille

Using the train, you can get to Lille in just a few hours from any main city of Europe. For example, from London you can be in this attractive old town in only an hour and a half. The trip is definitely worth is, as Lille is filled with wonderful attractions for everyone. Modern and old boutiques await you in the old center, stop at any of the many cafés in the pretty main square and do some people watching, visit the second largest art gallery in France, or chose from the many museums of Lille. There is something for everybody. And if you find yourself touring North France, keep in mind Expedia has cheap flights to Paris, which would be a great city to visit after Lille.

What is there to see and what not to miss on a short city break in Lille?

Grand Place

Everybody should start there visit with the Grand Place, which is the main square, the heart of the town. You can admire the 17th to the 20th century architecture, but the finest building of the square and arguably of the whole town is the Old Stock Exchange building situated just in front of the statue of the Goddess that dominates the center of the square.

Vieux Lille

From here, start to explore the old Lille, Vieux Lille, with its wonderful restored old buildings that bring you back to the old days of the past, as the buildings burst with exuberance and profusion of lovely decorations.

If you love museums, than Palais des Beaux-Arts is the place for you. It's Lille's museum of fine arts, impressing the visitors not only with the huge collection of European paintings, but also with the building in itself - an imposing 19th century palace.

Marché de Wazemmes

Try to plan your trip so you can visit the Marché de Wazemmes on Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, with Sunday being the best and busiest day of the week. It's an open market that it's not to be missed while being in Lille. You can find here everything from fresh fruits to old and new books, perfumes or shoes. If it's lunch time, there are so many little pubs here where you can have some rotisserie chicken with roasted potatoes and a glass of good French wine or beer.

La Braderie

But the best time of the year to go to Lille remains to be September, as this is the period when La Braderie takes place. It's the annual street fair for which a great number of people show up in Lille. So you have been warned. Be ready from some large crowds. The atmosphere is great, as locals and tourists have fun together, drinking, eating, dancing and of course buying all kind of suff for the loved ones back home.

And speaking about the loved ones, if you are looking for a Christmas gift, Lille is the place to be between the 21 November - 30 December, as the locals organize is the loveliest Christmas market around the Grand Palace and the Place Rihour.

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5 Reasons Why Bruges is a Clear Choice for a Great City Break

When it comes to choosing a destination for a city break, there are so many options in Europe. So why choosing Bruges over all the other countless destination that are spread all over the old continent of Europe? If you think of Bruges as small and rather insignificant, your view on this town is totally wrong, as Bruges is in fact the capital and the largest city in the West Flanders province, one particular treasure city that it is ready to be discovered or rediscovered. It is amazing how good the medieval buildings have been kept and taken care of. 

Groeningemuseum - the first stop is the municipal museum of Bruges, as it houses six centuries of Flemish and Belgian paintings. I would recommend you to stop and have a look at the Jan van Eyck paintings, but the museum has many more paintings from the Renaissance and the Baroque to the 19th century neo-classical and realist paintings.

Basilica of the Holy Blood - this lovely church is dating from the 12th century. It was just a chapel back than, but today is the most impressing Roman Catholic basilica in Bruges. It consists of a lower chapel and a upper chapel. 

Belfort - is my third location and it's a tower cannot be missed. Belfort has 366 narrow steps and of course it's worth climbing them all to the top. If you are there when the bells ting you are in for a special treat. Don't worry, as the it happens every 15 minutes, so most likely you will not miss it. 

Diamond Museum - all girls like diamonds, so this has to be at least on every girls list. The Diamond Museum is all about the beauty of this gemstone. It recreates the workshop of Lodewijk van Bergeum, the father of the technique of polishing diamonds. You can even see a live demonstration of diamond polishing, using the latest methods. 

De Halve Maan - Bruges is famous for its beer and this brewery is the best place to have a Brugse Zot beer. The brewery dates from before 1564 and it has maintained an implacable reputation since than.

Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and that in itself should be reason enough to make it your choice for a great city break. When you will arrive there you instantly will know that it has a rightful place on the great list of UNESCO sites, but also on your own list of must see places.

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Brussels: Top 5 Sites that Make it the Perfect Location for a City Break

When I hear Brussels I think of the best waffles, great chocolate and good beer. Brussels is a trendy spot for weekend getaways for many Europeans. It's easy accessible by plane, train or car and there are more attractions in this old city than most casual visitors can imagine. Add to this trendy bars and great restaurants and you realize it is the perfect location for your next city break.

Grand Place - this is why you go to Brussels. At least this is the first place you have to visit. Named Grote Markt in Dutch, it's a wonderful square with a 15th century cute sculpture dominating the middle of the square. And as you stay in the middle, you look around and you realize you are surrounded by fascinating guildhalls perfectly preserved. It is indeed the most memorable landmark of the city.

Peeping boy - I remember looking for this statue through the narrow alleyways and being sidetracked by good waffles  When I finally found it it made me laugh, as of course I expected it to be small, but not so small. For a statue that got to be so famous, it is really really small. Still, it's a must to see, without any doubts.. and keep in mind that there are over 700 clothes for this little fellow, so you never know what he might wear...

Atomium - well, as Paris has its Eiffel Tower, Brussels has the Atomium. The stories are similar: once upon a time there was a World Expo and it left behind a huge metal structure, in this case a huge atom, well 165 billion times bigger than the original iron crystal that it represents. It will take your breath away.

Mini-Europe - And what can we find next to the famous Atomium? Well, it's the wonderful Mini-Europe. What a great idea! it's a theme park for the whole family with miniatures of the most famous monuments in Europe. How much smaller? About 25 times smaller. It makes a great way for planning your next part of your trip through Europe. Like a teaser or a trailer for the best of the best in Europe.

The Belgian Comic Strip Center - it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the geek in me demanded to put this on the top 5 list. You might be used to the american comics, or you might be not used to comics at all. Still, this is a place to visit and learn more about this form of art, that exists in a slightly different form in Europe than in USA or Japan. Discover here the chronicles of Belgian comics, from science fiction, wild west, crime to politics... the most famous of them all being The Smurfs and Tintin.

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5 Ideas for Visiting Los Angeles on a Budget

Hollywood Citypass

I am a fan of city passes, as most of the time you get good value for your money. Most of the time. You have to make a bit of research to be sure. But the Hollywood Citypass is something to be recommended as it not only provides you you with a plan of visit but also discounts to all the major attractions. Bottom line is that you get to pay half the price if you are smart to get the pass. Admission to Starline Tours of Hollywood, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Red Line Tours, Kodak Theatre and Hollywood Museum are in included.

Venice Canals

Venice is a dream, and if you are not on the right side of the Atlantic, so close to the Pacific, visiting the Kinney's dream resort is your best choice to get close to the Venice marvel. The canals are filled with wonderful arched bridges, and from time to time you can even spot a gondola. If you have the budget, don't hesitate to book one, or you can just rent a bike to explore this part of LA.

Downtown La Art Walk

Now if you are into art, Los Angeles does not dissapoint. You just have to look for the Downtown La Art Walk. It features the best art in L.A. Unfortunately it is organised only every second Thursady of each moment so you have to plan and time a bit your visit to the city in order to catch this event, but of course it's worth the small hassle.

Los Angeles Gardens

I love gardens and I especially love the Japanese gardens. So for me it's always wonderful to find great Japanese gardens also outside Japan. Again Los Angeles does not disappoint. The Japanese Garden in Van Nuys is superb. But LA has so many more wonderful gardens to offer: the Descanso Gardens, theJapnese and Chinese gardens at Huntington Library, the Botanical Garden, to mention just a few.

Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve

I love these places that hide the fact that you are in the middle of a city. When you are in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve you can simply forget the concrete and steel jungle out there with all its noise. You can lose yourself in nature, in the bosom of the wildlife, between the waterfowls, herons and the groves of trees.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade

The Hollywood Christmas Parade is one of the oldest and best traditions of this city. After Thanksgiving, Santa Clause makes his appearance in the city, accompanied by marching bands down the Hollywood Boulevard. Stalls of Christmas gifts appear all over the city and like in New York, or Las Vegas, you will have no difficulties find a Christmas market or two. Besides the Christmas markets in Europe, these are my favorite holiday markets. You will find everything your heart desires.

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