Europe is one of the most popular locations to head on vacation at Christmas. The beauty of the 'Old World' is that there are so many amazing places to see all in one relatively small area. Flights between countries are quick and cheap, so you could hop about and see three or four countries in a matter of weeks.
Christmas Highlights
With so much on offer, it's difficult to pick the highlights of things to do on your vacation in Europe this Christmas. Many tourists end up visiting a few of the major cities, spending some quality time in each. Here are a few ideas if you are looking for some inspiration:
London: Carols around the Christmas Tree
You don't get much more Christmassy than singing carols around the tree in Trafalgar Square. This tradition goes back over half a century and will really get you in the Christmas spirit during your vacation in Europe. The actual tree is an annual gift from Oslo, and it is always decorated in white lights. A celebrity usually helps to turn on the lights, which this year will take place on December 3. Most evenings people gather together to sing carols, so feel free to join in.
Paris: Open Air Ice Skating
From mid-December onwards the city of Paris puts on free outdoor ice skating outside City Hall. It's a fantastic setting, and there is nothing quite like it. The best thing is it's completely free, so you can take your own skates and stay as long as you want for nothing! Although if you need to hire skates then these will cost €5 a pair.
Madrid: Procession of the Three Kings
If you head to Spain after celebrating Christmas somewhere else then you can arrive in time for the Procession of the Three Kings in Madrid. This usually takes place on January 5, and although it occurs in all towns and cities across Spain, Madrid's celebration is the biggest. Thousands of sweets are thrown out from no less than 30 carriages parading through the street, making it a night to remember.
Don't Forget your Passport
If you decide to visit any of the countries above during your vacation in Europe, or indeed any other countries, then don't forget your passport. There is no way you can travel to Europe without a passport, so don't spoil your Christmas by forgetting it. Try to get it as early as possible; it's always best to have your passport in your hand long before you plan to leave America as then you won't have to worry about it.
However, if you realize that you need it quickly there's always our expedited service. You can expedite your passport with us using our emergency service and could have it back in as little as a day.
Visas
As for visas, for the countries above you can simply get a visa on arrival and there is no need to plan ahead. However, always check the latest visa requirements and details of any individual country you are visiting to avoid encountering any problems on arrival.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Philip_F_Smith
