By Mary Kosearas
Christmas is an opportunity for cultures and people to come together and share their traditions with each other. It is when cold is conquered by community, and when people spend time and money on those they care for most. This has created a great opportunity to travel and see what cities have to offer in their most festive light. Even if it has been a place you have seen before, it is never the same at Christmas.
Rome, Italy
Rome is thought to be the home of the first formal celebration of Christmas, which occurred in 313 A.D. It was then that Emperor Constantine enforced the Edict of Milan, which allowed Christianity to be publicly celebrated in the Roman Empire. This tradition continues to be celebrated during the Christmas season in Italian Christmas markets found around the country. Italy's most famous square, the Piazza Navona in Rome, has been the scene of celebrations that have been both reverent and extravagant. The history of this square alone is enough to draw any curious tourist, but during the holidays, the Piazza Navona Christmas Market echos its historical magnificence with Roman handcrafted goods, seasonal treats, bundles of holly and a vibrant community. The fountains of Piazza Navona, a main attraction any time of year, are aglow with a spectacle of lights complemented with the warm, intoxicating smell of festive foods being sold at the Christmas market. Annually, the merchants set up shop starting with a blessing of the square by the auxiliary bishop of Rome during the first week of December and continues through the celebration of Le Befana on Jan. 6. Rome is a beautiful city to visit, but it really comes to life during the holidays.
Piazza Navona
00186 Roma, Italy
Paris, France
Paris has a charm no matter what the season. Christmas offers a rare glimpse of "The City of Light" in all of its winter brilliance. Whether it is the Eiffel Tower slowly lighting up in the sunset hour, or the warm smell of cafe's cooking sensational Parisian treats in the narrow city streets, Paris has a magic about it that caters to a holiday that encourages what the city is best known for: love. The culmination of the Christmas season in Paris is Midnight Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. The hours for the evening service are posted on the official Notre Dame website, but it is free to all and welcoming to everyone, regardless of your religion. The mass is sung in Latin and accompanied by the world-renown Notre Dame organ. After Mass, a large screen that hangs on the walls of the cathedral is unveiled and a movie is projected onto it late into the night. It will play through the night (with English subtitles) until the midnight hour when bells are rung and songs are shouted in recognition of the first moment of Christmas Day.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
6 place du Parvis Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité, 4e,
Paris, France
01-42-34-56-10
notredamedeparis.fr
Chicago, Illinois
Christkindlmarket Chicago comes every Christmas season and allows residents of the city, along with visitors, to stroll through Chicago's Daley Plaza surrounded by entertainment, food and gifts for family and friends. A food-focused, shopping frenzy in the heart of the city adds life to Chicago's cold winter streets. Located at Daley Plaza, the Christkindlmarket has become the country's largest German Christmas market. It is visited by more than 500,000 people each year.
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Daley Plaza
50 W. Washington St.
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 443-5500
christkindlmarket.com
London, England
London is a fast-paced city of entertainment with many holiday traditions. The west end streets are covered in lights, carol singers roam Trafalgor Square, ice skating, shopping and the national ballet are just a few of the activities to enjoy in the city. A particular English holiday tradition not to be missed is the Pantomimes. This family theater show has audience participation, with an inconsistent selection of not-so-famous-but very-entertaining celebrities, large men dressed as women, women dressed as boys, and a hilarious performance of actors and actresses purposely making fun of themselves and their lighthearted stories. A popular theater to watch this annual pantomimes is at the Hackney Empire in London's east side.
Hackney Empire
291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ
+44 (0)20 8985 2424
Hackneyempire.co.uk
Lapland, Finland
Lapland presents a spectacular display of winter. In the evenings you can look up and see the Northern lights, in the day go for a ride through the icy wonderland on a sleigh carried by a Lapland reindeer, and if you are lucky, you can get a glimpse of Santa Claus. It is his hometown, so you never know. Lapland is a real fortress of mystery and childhood fantasies with Santa's workshop nearby and a shopper's paradise with handcrafted, authentic goods you would not find at a department store. Also, the Finns love winter. They are in their element during this time of year, and invite the world to visit them. Also, it's a great place for English-speaking travelers to visit because almost everyone speaks and understands the language.
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About the Author:
Mary Kosearas received her B.A. in literary journalism from the University of California, Irvine. She interned for Village Voice Media and Churm Media in Orange County, California while completing her degree. Kosearas is currently an editor for Demand Media Studios as well as a freelance writer in the fields of music and culture.
