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3 Christmas Markets to visit in Europe

When it comes to Christmas, nothing lifts the mood like a visit to an authentic Christmas market. There is a long list with Christmas markets to visit in Europe.It is one of the oldest traditions in Europe, as the first one in Vienna dates back in 1294. As well as Austria, around the same time the first Christmas markets in Europe were recorded in Germany, South Tirol(Italy), France (Lorraine and Savoy regions) .

If you are planning a trip in December and looking for a place where you can feel the true spirit of Christmas you will be in for a treat to visit any of the following 3 Christmas markets.There you will find unique gifts, that no department or brand store sells, and also you will experience the festive mood, that has been passed down generations.

So here are 3 Christmas Markets to visit in Europe

1.Dresden, Germany 

This is an enormous display of goods , that dates back in 1434 and it is known as the oldest Christmas market in Germany. It is called Striezelmarkt, named after a traditional Christmas dessert. The opening dates for this year are from the 26th of November till 24th of December.

Christmas markets to visit in Europe

Dresden, Christmas Market

The market is open daily from 10 AM till 9 PM and it closes at 2 PM on Christmas Eve. People come here for some the unique items- lace products from Lauen, glass tree ornaments from Lauscha , indigo colored textiles from Lusatia, ginger bread sweets from Pulsnitz and of course the Dresden’s own Christmas knick- knack which is a chimney sweep ornament made from dried fruits. While you  are here you can also watch the glass blowers, the bakers and the carvers in action, making their goods that will be later displayed and sold.

2.Vienna, Austria

Christmas starts early in Vienna. The Christmas market opens on the 15th of November. The romantic lights create a cozy atmosphere with the smells of sugared sweets and baked goodies you will fall in love in the magic of Christmas again. There is no substitute to an authentic Christmas market, that has been going on for over 400 years. That is the one in front of the City Hall.

 

christmas markets to visit in europe

Here you will find some magnificent Christmas tree decorations, sweets and hand made gifts. Treat yourself to a nice hot drink as well, which you can get from one of the stands.  The decorated trees around the buildings create a true fairy tail feeling. It is a great place to take your kids as it will create a wonderful memory. The market is open from 10 AM till 10 PM every day till Christmas Eve when it closes at 4 PM.

3.Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. 

This is the biggest Christmas market in Italy. This market attracts millions of visitors every year to it’s usual location of Piazza Walther. It opens on 26th of November at 5 PM till 7 PM. After that it is open every Monday to Friday from 10 AM till 7 PM, on Saturday from 9 AM till 8PM and on Sunday from 10 AM till 7PM. It closes on Christmas Eve at 2 PM.Christmas markets to visit in Europe

Because of it’s central location like any of the Christmas markets you will have no problem finding it. Piazza Walther is located in the center of the old town of Bolzano. Here you will find the unmistakable choice of Christmas decorations, sweets and gifts, that have the power to impress and and bring joy, not just to the person who receives them as a gift , but also to the person who buys them.

These are some of most popular Christmas markets in Europe and with their long history and well established traditions you will get to experience the real magic of Christmas.


LET US TAKE YOU TO YOUR DESTINATION

Christmas shopping in New York

When it comes to Christmas shopping, the choice of places is endless. Some true enthusiasts start buying presents in January sales, so it is always a good time to get a present for the people you love.

The saying goes, that giving is one of the most rewarding and happiness enhancing actions that we take.

christmas shopping new york

 

So have you ever been Christmas shopping in New York? If so, you will probably familiar with the endless variety of styles, types and prices of shopping malls.

Christmas starts early in New York, and spending money turns into a real fun. New York, as a home of many department stores has everything for you.

The most popular time for most people to go for their Christmas shopping in New York is after Thanksgiving, which is also known as Black Friday. This year Black Friday is 27th of November and it is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. This is due to the fact that most of the shops offer discount, that is not offered any other day of the year.

So if you are a fan of crowds and you also like shopping in big department stores, then Black Friday in New York is for you.

When you arrive at the New York Airport you can get a shuttle bus to take you to your hotel and save you any worry, especially if you book your airport connection online.

If you are here for a few days, then you have probably set your mind on doing a shopping marathon, so put your comfy shoes on and enjoy.

Here are a few places that you might like to go to while here.

Christmas shopping new York

Christmas Markets in Union Square There is a wonderful line up of unique gifts set up in a festive surroundings. Give yourself enough time to be able to walk from stall to stall and discover a variety of items. From handmade accessories, jewelry, soaps, candles, crafted foods and drinks. It is all here to be discovered. If you are looking to get that special present, the Christmas Market in Union Square will not disappoint.

 

Bloomingdale’s Conveniently  located on 59th ave is another popular place for holiday shoppers. This is one of the oldest department stores in New York and it is owned by Macy’s, but may be not as well known. You can easily walk away from here with some wonderful hand bags, electrical goods and other goodies without breaking the bank.

 

Christmas shopping new york

Century 21 is popular as a place for bottom prices for high-end goods. If you are in New York for your Christmas shopping, you are already braving the crowds. Century 21 attracts some of the biggest. The store attracts a lot of people and has a wide variety of items.  You will need a bit of patience to go through the goods, but it is well worth it. Even if you don’t find what you are looking for, one thing is for sure. You will have a story to tell your friends-how you spent hours looking thought items surrounded by crazy shoppers.

Overall going to New York for your Christmas shopping is a memorable experience. You will find some magnificent presents and experience a variety of foods and drinks.

WHAT TO DO WITHIN 5 KM FROM FIUMICINO AIRPORT


What-to-see-nearby-Fiumicino

100
MT
FROM AIRPORT

Closest historical site to Fiumicino Airport is the Ancient Roman Port of Emperor Claudio completed in 64 DC.

No need to take a car as you are already there….. the structures are visibile just outside the airport.

Not a lot people know that Fiumicino airport has been build exactly where the Port was.

Well now that you believe it or not, the ancient Port of Claudio is exactly where Rome Fiumicino Airport is nowdays…..

I guess that since we have too many things to be seen in Rome, back in the fifties, they may thought  that covering the entire area with an airport was a good idea……

Sometimes I wonder what did have in mind the genius that did that……

To be honest most of the ancient structures have been covered by the modern airport.

Very few structures are left and you can see those higligted in red in IMAGE 1.

 

Port-of-Traiano

IMAGE 1

In IMAGE 2 you can see what do they look at present.

Port-of-Claudio

IMAGE 2

The remaining structures are pertinent to the dock.

Exactly where do you see the grass at present back in first century BC was the sea.

Address
Via dell’ Aeroporto di Fiumicino, 320, 00054 Fiumicino (Rm)
Latitude and Longitude
41.787148, 12.252320
Opening hours
Always open 🙂
Admittance
free-of-charge 🙂

 

300 MTFROM AIRPORT

Another one is the The Museum of Roman Ships at Fiumicino.

During the Fiumicino airport constructions archeologist found 6 boats : entire stuctures of Roman Ships : large vessels that could carried 1,600 tons of grain.

After Roman empire Collaps, boats of that capacity were not built until the late 1700.

Below you can have an idea of what could be seen inside if Museum wouldn’t have been shutted in 2.002.

Six vessels where found in the area higlighted in red in image IMAGE 1 where do you see “ Relitti di Fiumicino “.

Museum of Roman Ships at Fiumicino

IMAGE 3

Below is an image that goes back to 1.950’s at the time of discovery.

Ancient-Roman-Vessels-Fiumicino

IMAGE 4

Address
Via Alessandro Guidoni, 35,00054 Fiumicino (Rm)
Latitude and Longitude
41.786947, 12.254226
Phone
0665010089
Opening hours
Closed SINCE 2002 🙁
Admittance
Not possible at the moment 🙁

 

4 KMFROM AIRPORT

Very interesting to be seen is the Archeological Area of Portus with his Necropolis on Via Portuense in excellent state of preservation .
More than 200 funerary buildings, dated from 1st century to 4th century DC.

See below images

Necropoli-of Porto

IMAGE 5

Necropoli-of Porto2

IMAGE 6

Necropoli-of Porto3

IMAGE 7

Mars and Venus, from Necropolis of Portus

Necropoli-of Porto4

IMAGE 8

Address
Via Monte Spinoncia, 52 00054 Fiumicino (Rm)
Latitude and Longitude
41.769657, 12.263378
Phone
0656358054
Opening hours
The Portus Necropolis is momentarily open to the public on the first Thursday and last Saturday of every month, prior reservation by phone or e-mail.
Visits at 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., exit at 2:00 p.m.
Closed on 25 December, 1st January and 1st May.
Admittance
free-of-charge 🙂

 

4 KMFROM AIRPORT

PORT OF TRAJAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK AND OASIS OF PORTO

Port-of-Trojan

IMAGE 9

This is probably the largest and best-preserved Roman port in the Mediterranean.

At the Port of Trajan at present can be seen two harbor facilities near the Tiber River, connected together by an impressive second-century A.D., well know as the Imperial Palace.

Can also bee seen all the huge storages where goods coming from all over the Mediterraneum where stocked before taken up to Rome along the Tiber.

This is what it looked like back in 2nd century

Port-of-Trojan2

IMAGE 10

Port-of-Trojan3

IMAGE 11

This is what it looks like at nowdays

Port-of-Trojan4

IMAGE 12

Around the 33 hectares wide perfect hexagon of lake of Traiano is the Oasi of Porto : the main point of rest for aquatic migratory birds while they fly from the Mediterranean regions to the north of Europe.
You can take a Tour of Anciente Port and Oasis at the same time by horse.

Oasi-di-Porto

IMAGE 13

Oasi-di-Porto2

IMAGE 14

Address
Via Portuense 2264,00054 Fiumicino (Rm)
Latitude and Longitude
41.779288, 12.267078
Phone
06 5880880 Fax +39 06 5880885 E-mail [email protected]
Opening hours
Thursday and Sunday 10.00 AM – 16.00 PM
Admittance
Adult 12 euros per person – Under 10 years 10 Euros

 

 

NEARBY FIUMICINO AIRPORT

inside airport building
* Closest Bus & Taxi Service to Fiumicino Airport : Airport Connection – WebPhone 06 21116248

inside airport building
* Closest Licensed Tour Guide to Fiumicino Airport : Airport Connection – WebPhone 06 21116248

inside airport building
* Closest Pharmacy to Fiumicino Airport : Inside Terminal 1 and Terminal 3

inside airport building
* Closest Library & Newspaper Stand to Fiumicino Airport :La Feltrinelli Express at Arrival Terminal and Departure Terminal

inside airport building
* Closest Hair dresser to Fiumicino Airport :Hairport Rome Beauty SPA at Arrival Terminal T1

100 Mt from airport
* Closest Fitness centre with swimming pool to Fiumicino Airport : Officine Sportive Fitness Center – Address Via Fratelli Wright snc, 00054, Fiumicino inside Hilton Airport Hotel – Phone 800685023 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.791106, 12.256104

700 Mt from airport
* Closest Church to Fiumicino Airport : S. Maria Degli Angeli – Address Via Aereoporto di Fiumicino, 321 – south-west of the train station at Fiumicino Airport on the roundabout (gyratory) junction with the Viale Fratelli Wright – Phone 06 65953135 –Latitude and Longitude : 41.7902925; 12.250613

4,2 Km from airport
* Closest Theatre to Fiumicino Airport : Teatro Traiano – Address Via del Serbatoio,24,00054, Fiumicino – Phone 06 6507097 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.772798, 12.231752

4,5 Km from airport
* Where would I eat good at Fiumicino Airport : Ristorante La Sogliola Da Camillo Palmieri do not expect a fancy Restaurant but good food at reasonable price – Address Viale della Pesca, 19, 00054 Fiumicino – Phone 06 650 6478 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.773093, 12.224200

4,6 Km from airport
* Where would I sleep with a view at Fiumicino Airport : Hotel Tiber with a view on the old port – Address Via della Torre Clementina, 276, 00054 Fiumicino – Phone 06 6504 8255 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.771359, 12.223859

5,1 Km from airport
* Closest Bibliotheque to Fiumicino Airport : Biblioteca Comunale Fiumicino – Address Villa Guglielmi, Via di Villa Guglielmi snc / Via della Scafa 46, 00054, Fiumicino – Phone 06.657538. 219 / 221 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7705935, 12.2396802

8 Km from airport
* Closest Decent Beach to Fiumicino Airport …do not expect clear water nearby Rome 🙁 : Focene – Latitude and Longitude : 41.805950, 12.214332

8,2 Km from airport
* Closest Mosque to Fiumicino Airport :Nur al Islam – Address Via della martinica 5, 00121, Ostia – Phone 389 0983918 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7393619, 12.2616459

8,4 Km from airport
* Closest Outlet to Fiumicino Airport : Parco Leonardo – Address Viale Bramante, 31/65, 00054, Fiumicino – Phone 06 4542 2448 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7982072, 12.2966051

9,2 Km from airport
* Closest Movie Theatre to Fiumicino Airport : UCI Cinemas Parco Leonardo – Address Via Gian Lorenzo Bernini,20-22,00054, Fiumicino – Phone 06 97611002 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7980112, 12.2956283

9,4 Km from airport
* Seaside near Fiumicino Airport …again do not expect clear water nearby Rome 🙁 : Ostia – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7285253, 12.2758001

9,4 Km from airport
* Closest Beauty Farm to Fiumicino Airport : Victoria Rigeneration Spa – Address Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli,195 – Lido di Ostia,00121 Phone 06 86760394 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7324429, 12.267747

9,8 Km from airport
* Closest Synagogue to Fiumicino Airport : Tempio Shirat Ha-yam – Address Via Oletta, 20, 00122, Ostia – Phone 0690288430 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7288719, 12.2891287

– 10,5 Km from airport
* Closest Hospital to Fiumicino Airport : Ospedale G. B. Grassi Lido di Ostia – Address Via Gian Carlo Passeroni, 28, Lido di Ostia RM – Phone 06 56481 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7294, 12.29813

19,4 Km from airport
* Closest Acqua Park to Fiumicino Airport : Hydromania – Address Vicolo del Casale Lumbroso,200,00166 Roma – Phone 06 66183183 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.8656755, 12.3728244

– 24,2 Km from airport
* 2° Closest Hospital to Fiumicino Airport : Aurelia Hospital – Address Via Aurelia, 860, 00165 Roma – Phone 06 664921 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.8857473, 12.3998349

64,2 Km from airport
* Closest Theme Park to Fiumicino Airport : Raimbow Magic Land – Address Via della Pace, Valmontone – Phone 06 95318700 – Latitude and Longitude : 41.7679459, 12.9227589

147 Km from airport
* Closest Thermal Complex to Fiumicino Airport : Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort – Address S.P. Follonata, 58014 Saturnia GR – Phone 0564 600111 – Latitude and Longitude : 42.6477532, 11.5129072