11/9/10

10 Most Popular Places to Vacation at the End of the Year

Christmas attractions and year-end best that has been ranked by leading tourist guide Lonely Planet

1. Santa Claus Village, Finland:If not satisfied with the number of Santa Claus at the mall, arose and flew to the Arctic circle in Finland. St. Nicholas aka Santa Claus is a citizen of honor in the village of Santa Claus this. Although located in snowy regions, in the interior of a forest inhabited by deer, but the tourists even more interested to visit this village. Not far from the village there are also amusement park of Santa Park. A bit expensive to visit this place, but you are guaranteed satisfaction.

2. New York, USA:Quite a few films that show the splendor of New York at Christmas time (example: Home Alone 2). Christmas lights everywhere, hopefully there is little snow fell, then you can see the glitter of the biggest Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center that has been installed from the beginning of December, ice-skating around a Christmas tree, then shopping at luxury stores in New York . And at the end of the show there are performances of "The Nutcracker" by New York City Ballet.

3. Bondi Beach, Australia:The opposite of all the cliches of Christmas in the northern part of the world, on this beach you will not find snow or Christmas lights. December 25, this beach will be filled by a backpacker, and crippled by the DJ and band performances. This is the place to wash the eyes.

4. Midnight Mass, the Vatican, Italy:Certainly the center of the Catholic church will celebrate Christmas with a large scale. Vatican City includes the spiritual appeal in general, but its atmosphere is thicker Christmas time again. Fragrant aroma of roasted chestnuts nuts on the streets and the entire town filled with presepi (nativity scene). The places that must be visited: the Court of St.. Peter, Piazza Navona, and the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill. The Vatican is the most interesting places pilgrims. Midnight Christmas Mass at the Basilica of St. Peter, or at noon on December 25, is an unforgettable occasions.

5. Dublin, Ireland:Catholics in Ireland to celebrate Christmas with a sense of humor. The most interesting event is the pool on the morning of December 25, swimming in salt water 12 meters. By Christmas the streets of Dublin is always crowded, there are 12 Day Christmas Markets in Docklands, mime performances, Christmas lights, ice-skating, and its bazaars and perayayaan in Temple Bar. Do not forget also the singing of Christmas (Christmas Carol) in the Cathedral of St.. Patrick.

6. Nuremberg, Germany:Buying Christmas gifts is not always at the mall or the mall, try visiting Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market), in Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg. Here about 180 stalls offering tent toys, knick-knacks, candles, gingerbread, and candy for the visitors. Looking around you can enjoy a bratwurst (sausage typical of Germany) and grape juice mixed with warm or rempahan herbs like cinnamon, cloves, or ginger. After dusk, and all the Christmas lights switched on, this place changed like fairyland. This Christmas the most romantic places to shop.

7. Zurich, Switzerland:Known for its chocolate, mountains, and snow, Switzerland is also suitable for the Christmas holidays, especially in the city of Zurich, because of the many Christmas markets (even inside the train station), and there is also a tour of the city with a Christmas theme. Jug no Christmas trees 'sing' in Werdmuhleplatz, the choir on stage triangles arranged so that similar Christmas tree, complete with shades of green and his flashing lights twinkle..

8. Tokyo, Japan:
Christmas in Tokyo is always sparkling, but not religious. Japanese tradition is more excited to celebrate the New Year than Christmas, but this is how non-Christians try to celebrate Christmas. It must be recognized spirits, with all the lights and decorations amazing. But unfortunately Christmas in Japan is not a holiday, so there is little anti-climactic. Festive Christmas Eve celebration, and celebrations like Valentine, for this opportunity to young couples express love. The tradition of Christmas celebrations in Japan is to cook fried chicken, followed by tart with cream and strawberries.

9. San Juan, Puerto Rico:
The island is small but profound personality. Puerto Rico to celebrate Christmas without snow, with the rhythm of salsa and roast pork. The celebration lasts from the middle of December to alert the Three Kings on January 6. Since mid-December the churches in Puerto Rico featuring Christmas songs at every Mass, and groups of singers Christmas Caroler Christmas aliases also come from house to house to spread the joy. Top of the celebration is on Christmas Eve, at midnight mass. Stop also at City Hall, the Plaza de Armas to see the Christmas decorations and also to the court of the Paseo de la Princesa.