Top 5 European-Style Christmas Markets in the USA You Can Experience

by pankaj | Dec 7, 2022 | Vacations & Leisure

Get ready for Christmas happiness by wrapping up: Although they are located in the United States, these lively European markets have an authentic sense of the European tradition. If you’re looking for holiday charm but cannot travel across the pond to Europe’s famous holiday markets, we’ve found the best Christmas markets in the United States.

1. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair, San Francisco

Visitors to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco can immerse themselves in Victorian London for five weekends starting on November 19 and ending on December 18, 2022. Merrymakers will come across music halls, theatres, bars, dance parties, stores packed with handcrafted seasonal treasures, and hundreds of characters from the universe created by literary great Charles Dickens as they travel along the winding, lamp-lit alleys of this not-so-winter wonderland. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the cart selling freshly roasted organic chestnuts in vintage paper cones.

2. Peoples Gas Holiday Market, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

From November 19 through December 23, downtown Pittsburgh hosts the Peoples Gas Holiday Market in honor of the holiday season. The market is located in the exquisitely lit Market Square, allowing for wandering outside. While exploring the wooden chalets filled to the brim with handmade Polish folk art, German Christmas goods, Celtic Irish trinkets, and even fresh Austrian strudels and bratwursts, visitors can listen to live music.

3. Solvang Julefest, California

Get your fix during the annual Solvang Julefest, held in the Danish-American community of Solvang, founded in 1911 and upholding Danish culture to this day, from November 26 to January 6, 2023. The entire town is decked out, which adds to the fairytale ambiance, which the Solvang Julefest website defines as “a walk-through of a vintage postcard and a Hallmark movie simultaneously.” However, the market is ideal for eating your festive Danish dishes. Avoid missing the Solvang nativity pageant, Julefest Parade, candlelight tours, and tree lighting ceremony.

4. Downtown Holiday Market, Washington, D.C.

Visit the Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, D.C., from November 18 to December 23, 2022, for an outdoor shopping village with regional jewelry, pottery, paintings, and textiles – a touch of European beauty in our nation’s capital. More than 75 boutiques, craftsmen, and crafters are available for shopping, and visitors can take in nightly seasonal entertainment. At 8th and F Streets N.W., the market is located in the middle. It’s closed on Thanksgiving Day and on December 5.

5. Holland Kerstmarkt, Michigan

Head to Holland, a town in Michigan designed to resemble the country with the same name once upon a time, to experience one of the most festive domestic locations (now known as the Netherlands). The yearly Kerstmarkt (“Christmas market” in Dutch) in Holland features 18 booths and is an outdoor European-style market with seasonal goods, regional cuisine, and artisan demonstrations. Kerstmarkt, which takes place at the 8th Street Marketplace from November 19 through December 10, 2022, coexists at the weekly farmers market.

Top 5 Best Festive Cities to Visit at Christmas in the World

by pankaj | Dec 5, 2022 | Vacations & Leisure

Every year on December 25, people celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the most revered figure in all of Christianity. Christmas is one of the most celebrated festivals in the world, with an estimated 45% of the world’s population participating!

Christmas is a season of exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and enjoying excellent baked goods. So what better way to spend the holiday with your special someone than while on vacation? Now that we know some of the best Christmas travel destinations worldwide let’s examine what they offer.

1. New York City, USA

Unquestionably, one of the liveliest destinations to visit is New York City. The city is decked out with Christmas lights, and beautiful shows are going on. If you’re in New York at the end of the year, you should visit the Rockefeller Center since their well-known Christmas celebrations offer a breathtaking holiday experience. You can also visit one of the many holiday markets around the city, from uptown to downtown, to find the best gifts for your loved ones.

Visit one of the light festivals organized throughout New York over the holidays if you enjoy gorgeous lights and décor. Some are the Dyker Heights Christmas light show, the Brooklyn Garden Lightscape, and the Glow at the New York Botanical Garden.

2. Jerusalem, Israel

The city of Bethlehem in Jerusalem is one of the top choices for the most incredible places to celebrate Christmas because it is thought Jesus Christ was born there. However, if you’re traveling to Jerusalem this Christmas, remember to stop in Nazareth, where Christianity first began.

Because it is believed that Jesus Christ was born there, Bethlehem, a city in Jerusalem, is one of the best destinations to spend the holiday of Christmas. However, remember to stop in Nazareth, the birthplace of Christianity, if you’re heading to Jerusalem for Christmas.

3. London, England

London, one of the top travel destinations in the world, is fantastic during Christmas! Look at the events scheduled in some of the most well-known Christmas destinations, like Trafalgar Square (home to the largest Christmas tree in the world), Westminster Abbey, and Hyde Park.

In addition, if you enjoy Christmas carols, make a quick journey to the Royal Albert Hall and take in one of the hall’s well-known carol concerts. Finally, take the Harry Potter bus tour of London at night if you’re a Potterhead, or take a detour to the Scottish Highlands to see the wonderful world of Hogwarts coated in snow!

4. Zürich, Switzerland

Are you a passionate shopper? If so, Zürich is among the top destinations to visit throughout the holiday season! There are three prominent Christmas markets in Zürich. These include the Zürich Hauptbahnhof Christmas Market, the Weihnachtsdorf Market, and the Niederdorf Christmas Market, all located at Switzerland’s most crowded train station, the Old Town.

The Zürich Hauptbahnhof Christmas Market is one of Europe’s biggest indoor Christmas markets, and it runs from November 24 to December 24 every year. A 49-foot Swarovski Christmas tree with many crystals hanging from its branches is the main draw of this market.

5. Tokyo, Japan

Even though Christmas is not a recognized official holiday in Japan, you should celebrate it in style! You may celebrate Japanese Christmas while on vacation in Tokyo, including a hearty fried chicken bucket and strawberry shortcakes. Sounds unusual. The Japanese have added flair to this holiday by creating several fascinating, original traditions!

Along with the unforgettable Christmas dinner, the Japanese people also observe their version of Valentine’s Day on December 24 every year, which is an intriguing custom. So, if you and your significant other are in the city at this time, spend Christmas Eve celebrating the “most romantic day of the year” the Japanese way by dining outside, seeing the city, and spotting the lovely holiday decorations.

Top 5 Most Romantic Dinner Cruises in NYC for Honeymoon Couples

by pankaj | Dec 1, 2022 | Vacations & Leisure

We have personally experienced several New York City dinner cruises and adore them. There isn’t much better than taking in New York from the sea while listening to soothing music and indulging in mouthwatering food and beverages. By the way, pairing New York sightseeing with a dinner cruise is fantastic! But which New York dining cruise is the best? You’ll discover that in our article; read on!

The Best Dinner Cruises in NYC

New York is an excellent location for dinner cruises because not one but two rivers surround it. A dinner cruise in NYC will ensure a wonderful evening whether or not you have a reason to celebrate because it includes stunning views of the city at dawn, delectable food, and a tranquil ambiance with music.

1. Bateaux Thanksgiving Gourmet Harbor Cruise

Looking for a unique setting for your Thanksgiving meal? A three-course meal served on the glass-enclosed Bateaux would be nice. In addition to enjoying delectable food and live music here, you can also take in unforgettable city views from the water!

2. Bateaux Christmas Eve Gourmet Harbor Cruise

A Christmas Eve Gourmet Lunch Cruise and a Christmas Eve Dinner Harbor Cruise are two boat experiences the Bateaux offers throughout the holiday season. The duration of the Lunch Cruise is two hours, while the Dinner Cruise is three. Expect a festive atmosphere, a 3-course Christmas feast, and stunning views of the New York skyline.

3. Alive After Five

Join the Alive After Five cruise, which makes the most of happy hour—which lasts two hours—along the Hudson River on City Cruises’ Sensation yacht with your exhausted coworkers and friends. If dancing is your thing, you may select between two climate-controlled decks, a covered roof deck, and various dance floors. The boat features a DJ to get the party started if you still have the social jitters after all that social withdrawal. Depending on the level of admittance you select, this isn’t just a drink cruise; there are also options for pasta, Tex-Mex, and other cuisines.

4. Spirit: Dinner Cruise with Buffet

A thrilling dinner cruise that circles Manhattan and New York Harbor provide breathtaking views of the city and some of the most iconic buildings in the world, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. This is a unique and exciting way to experience New York. Enjoy a delectable buffet dinner while dancing to the music being produced by the onboard DJ.

5. La Barca All-Inclusive Mexican Dinner Cruise

La Barca is the only Mexican eatery in New York on a ship. While enjoying mouthwatering tacos and churros, you’ll cruise the Hudson River to Manhattan’s southernmost point on this evening cruise. Grab a margarita and make your way to the outdoor terrace to take in the magnificent New York skyline at night.

Top 5 Most Incredible Places to Visit in Asia

by pankaj | Nov 24, 2022 | Vacations & Leisure

Asia is, in actuality, the biggest continent in both terms of size and population. For many of the earliest civilizations on Earth, it is also the region with the most diversified multicultural population. It’s challenging to choose just a few places to visit in Asia because it takes a month to fully see one nation. Here are five of the best travel places in Asia to visit if you’re looking to travel on a tight budget.

1. Mount Fuji – Japan

One of the Three Holy Mountains cherished in Japanese tradition is Mount Fuji, a magnificent mountain in Japan with a snow-capped peak. Traditional beliefs place power in those three mountains, and Mount Fuji has volcanic power. Mount Fuji, categorized as a stratovolcano, has not erupted since 1708. Aokigahara, a dense forest that developed from the hardened lava that encircles Mount Fuji and contains a variety of fantastic ice caves to explore, is located near the mountain’s base.

2. Hoi An – Vietnam

Hoi An is the oldest trading harbor on the continent and one of Asia’s oldest cities. In the fifteenth century, the port was a significant stop for trading ships and is still a busy port today. The city is breathtaking, with many of the original timber-frame structures still surviving and sporting vibrant French colonial shutters. Every complete moon cycle, the city holds the Lantern Festival to pay tribute to all of its ancestors. Hoi An is among the best sites to visit in Asia at this time of year, making it one of the ideal seasons to travel there. If you enjoy history and culture, Hoi An is your destination.

3. Taman Negara National Park – Malaysia

One of Asia’s oldest jungles, one of the continent’s most stunning tropical rainforests, and one of the most astounding natural wonders in the entire globe is the spectacular Taman Negara National Park. The 1700 square mile ancient forest is home to vegetation and species that have organically developed over millions of years. Visit Taman Negara National Park if you’re a wildlife enthusiast who has always wanted to view some of Asia’s extraordinary and incredible wildlife.

4. Koh Rong – Cambodia

Visit the magnificent island of Koh Rong in Cambodia if you want to venture further from the tourist trail while visiting Asia. Some of the gorgeous beaches in the nation may be found on this tiny island off the coast of the province of Sihanoukville.

5. Luang Prabang – Laos

Southeast Asia is home to several breathtaking tourist destinations if you’re looking for beautiful places to visit in Asia. One is, without a doubt, the stunning Laotian village of Luang Prabang. The Town of Luang Prabang is one of 33 communities that comprise the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The best ways to explore Luang Prabang are on foot or by bicycle due to the city’s numerous temples, colonial structures, and homes being spread out throughout the city’s winding lanes.

You will find verdant hills and stunning rice paddies extending outside the horizon. The Pak Ou Caves on the Mekong River and several stunning Buddha statues are just two of the fantastic natural attractions in the area.

Final Words

So, if you are considering traveling to Asia, these five incredible locations have a fantastic blend of history, culture, and breathtaking nature waiting for you.