Holiday Travel in Europe

After finishing up a 7 month internship in Estonia, I was lucky enough to spend December 2006 and early January 2007 traveling through a number of European countries. I was a bit nervous about traveling during the winter thinking that cold weather might put a damper on the beautiful cities I was visiting, but that was not the case at all.

I believe (and Al Gore would kill me for this) that global warming actually had a positive effect on my travels. Every country I visited (Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands) was experiencing above average temperatures. There were a few chilly days, but nothing some Belgian beer or glühwein at a Christmas Market couldn't warm up.

It was wonderful to see Europe during a time of year many travelers don't. There were Christmas Markets in every city with vendors selling traditional holiday foods and crafts, festive colored lights throughout the streets, huge decorated trees, and significantly less tourists than during the warmer months. Plus, you can find amazing hotel/hostel deals this time of year.

A few places really stand out. Budapest had my favorite Christmas market. My friend and I feasted on cheap, abundant servings of fried potatoes, huge sausages, roasted pumpkin, sauerkraut, rectangle pizzas with cheese and onion, and, of course, glühwein (or milled wine). The market is set up near the famous Gerbeaud chocolate house that displays a large Advent calendar on the facade. Grabbing some chocolate cake in Gerbeaud is also highly recommendable.

Brussels was also beautiful...especially the Grand Place. My mom and I grabbed some beers in a pub near the Grand Place and had an excellent view of the holiday light show that plasters reindeer and stars over every building in the square. To top it all off is the massive Christmas tree in the center. Sipping on a Trappist ale with that as your scenery is quite an experience.