You better check our list of best Christmas celebration places to find the pleasant feeling of Christmas spirit.

1.Lapland, Finland

This small land needs to be called a really amazing place as it is believed that a real Santa Claus lives at the Arctic Circle in Lapland. You can come to visit him and get deeply into the job with his assistants to prepare traditional biscuits and even sit on his lap, if you have not done this in childhood. If you do not want to stand with the willing crowd in front of  the official residence Yolopukki, located in Rovaniemi, go to his deputy, to the town of Kuusamo. It is believed that local Santa speaks all the languages so you do not have to fear that Santa Claus had misunderstood what you put forth.

2.Granada, Spain

In Spain you can not just lie on the beach in the hot summer, but anyways a better place for a Christmas tale than city of Granada, it is difficult to think. Towering in the distance snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, where there is a great ski resort, and the magical and majestic Alhambra Palace very close to creating the most appropriate atmosphere for the holiday. Here you can wander through the cozy, typically Spanish, streets, or get lost in the winding alleyways of the Muslim quarter Albasin. I always pause in the city until January 5, when the Spaniards celebrate El día de los Reyes, Three Kings Day. The festive atmosphere will be felt even during the breakfast, which in this day traditionally consists of strewn pieces of fruit pudding and a cup of thick hot chocolate. We can meet Santa Claus in this day is impossible, but you can admire the fantastic royal parade – a miniature carnival with a merry costumed procession and scattered the crowd of sweets and candies.

3.Oslo, Norway

Undoubtedly, Norway can claim the title of the most snow-white country in the world. I see this most easily by going to the Holmenkollen – located on a hill suburb of Oslo. This can be reached by subway or a trip to a reindeer sleigh. It is in Holmenkollen, among the red and yellow houses, the locals gather to drink mulled wine and crunch to traditional Christmas cookies. By the way, along with Santa if you see a festively dressed dwarf – do not be surprised, but rather make a wish. This is a local Santa Claus, whom they call Yulenissen.

4.New York, USA

Christmas in America – is the embodiment of Commerce: Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, brightly lit by Radio City, the endless sales and lively rollers create a local holiday atmosphere. The first shot of the film “Home Alone” fully reflect reality. Perhaps, only here know how to celebrate Christmas at the same time comfortable and with imperial scale. Go to the Brooklyn Bridge, look carols in Times Square and walk around the city, looking trim. Route map can be bought almost anywhere.

5.Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam can offer much more than the well-known coffee shops and quarter the red light. The narrow alleys and quaint canals create the atmosphere of the city of angels. Decorated in honor of the holiday windows and falling here and there, Christmas markets beckon its lights. Every free angle, or area  are occupied by rollers- both young and old. A prototype of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas is the patron saint of Holland, so here  all of your dreams will surely be heard, and desires fulfilled. If there is a wish to visit the Christmas Mass, it is best to go to the Museum Amstelkring – a secret church, located in the attic of the house in the heart of the quarter “red light”.
6.Edinburgh, Scotland

Christmas in Edinburgh is like a walk in the distant medieval past, during the traditional royal exits and bagpipe playing Christmas songs. Countless festivals, gala concerts, performances of choirs and cabaret, heavy dinners, when the table is breaking with food, start here from the beginning of December. And do not miss the parade of fire on Jan. 29, when about one and a half thousand people march for the Viking spacecraft on the streets, and then came to the central square, holding a grand bonfire, and fireworks.

7.Nuremberg, Germany

Christmas City “number one” in Germany, known primarily for its fair Kristkindlesmarkt. Every year in the city center, this town is built of wood and cloth, where the walk cinnamon and mulled wine, the smell of the Nuremberg sausages, roasted almonds and traditional pies. The market act dance and music ensembles and, of course, you can buy all sorts of gifts. If you have a desire to hide from the hustle and bustle – take a look at the house Volfshera They made a very interesting exhibition on the history of Christmas fairs. Each year, the exhibition adds a new section, one way or another connected with Christmas. This unique collection of Christmas motifs, and an exhibition of nurseries, and an exhibition courier carriages, which, by the way, you can ride. Ribbon displays stretched across the city, and come here less than a week is simply not worth it.

8.Prague, Czech Republic

They say that even in the warmest winter for Christmas in Prague is snowing. Therefore, a night walk through the mystical city, lay covered with fluffy crunchy snow, you provided.People here prefer to decorate the living plants in tubs. And buy them a countless number of – not only in the central squares of the city, but  in every store . Another awesome thing  is the device exhibits dedicated to the events of Bethlehem. And, here fantasy has no limits.  And in churches you can witness a play with the whole theatrical performances with the wise men, angels and the Virgin Mary. On the streets everywhere selling mulled wine, so it is impossible to freeze.

9.Rome, Italy

In Italy, the snow – a miracle in any season, even in the dead of winter. But to meet Christmas, this did not interfere, despite the fact that there  main blooming orange trees and slender cypresses and verdant palm trees clearly indicate that the cold weather in this blessed city is simply not the case. Grouped around the potted trees are perceived here as exotic plants rather than as an attribute of the Nativity. A huge Christmas tree to Vatican annually receives a gift from other countries, put the central squares of the city. The cafe smell of roasted chestnuts, Christmas cookies and chocolate. And at Piata Navona open traditional fair domestic sweets, Christmas figurines, and other crafts. And of course, in the Eternal City is certainly worth a visit on the festive Mass, which are conducted in all councils.

10.Cities named in honor of Christmas

And, finally,you can organize a unique Christmas trip. No, this  is not a simple tour to the place which are popular with their Christmas celebrations, but rather to the towns with the Christmas names . Such tours  can be done throughout US.

For example, in Florida Christmas, located between Orlando and Kennedy Space Center. Streets here are named after the famous reindeer, all the mailboxes are decorated with  Santa. And there is also a decorated Christmas tree at the entrance to town, which is held there all year round.
You can also spend Christmas in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana. Summer visitors here attracts an amusement park, but in winter, all aimed at meeting a gay Christmas. Tourists waiting for the museum of Santa Claus, Gingerbread House, and above all, a grand festival.

Hotel-plane, Costa Rica
In the national park Manuel Antonio, located in 160 kilometers from the capital, there are lots of nice hotels and bungalows. The most original of them is built within a small vintage Boeing 727. From its illuminator-windows, opens up a magnificent view of the ocean coast. Liner was released in 1965 and served as faith-truth airlines of South Africa and Colombia, is set at a height of 15 meters above the ground. It has only a  couple of bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and dining room. The decoration of the rooms includes trees and hand-made furniture. The outside of the plane  there is a lovely wooden terrace . To reserve such a housing-plane will cost you $400 per day in no season (without taxes) and for 500 – during the season.

Hotel-plane, Sweden
Transit passengers will definetely get a chance for renting a hotel room somewhere nearby,  but the case with the hostels is rather difficult?  What can do those who doesn’t want to pay for a room ? In the Stockholm Arlanda airport, it was decided to set up a hostel in write-offs “jumbo” – “747″. The huge ship can place 85 guests. They may stay in small rooms, compartments with bung beds and flat panel TVs. The most spacious and expensive room – is drivers cab: with the panoramic view of the runway. It is clear that maids, who serve guests, are uniformed as stewardesses Bed in a hostel costs 350 Swedish kronor (about 34 Euros), individual single room will cost 950 Croons (92 Euros).

Hotel-tram, Netherlands
A couple  opened their own exclusive hotel by restoring old trams in Germany and Netherlands. The name of the hotel was announced Tram Hotel  in honor of the famous album of the singer Prince. Initially there were four thematic numbers in the hotel: English, American, Italian, and French.  Not so long ago the ” family” of the trams was enlarged by adding a wagon train. Guests will  not be made huddled in the compartment for sure. The spacious room has everything – from great TV to the spacious bath-tub shaped hat (in fact the main theme of the new rooms is Mexico). And the hotel owners themselves have settled in standing nearby two-story London bus, built the house. The cost of living is from 60 Euros per person per night.

Hotel-train, United States
In Southern U.S. state of Arizona, in the hotel Karrels Double K Ranch, guests can settle in a freight car. Thoug it was going by rail in the beginning of last century and now turned into an original and relatively inexpensive hotel. In the car all three rooms have a private bathroom, telephone, TV and refrigerator. And guests are not attracted so much by exotic views or decorations but by cozy and charming homely atmosphere. There is a garden with huge cacti and exotic flowers around. Hosts created little toy town with little houses between them on the tiny train ride the train. Living in a freight car is worth $135 per night for two people.

Hotel-ship, Sweden
If you are not  bothered  to spend the night in a room with strangers, you can stay in a very inexpensive hostel-hotel-ship in the heart of Stockholm. The ship was built in 1950 and plied the North Sea. The last voyage of the spacecraft was completed  in 2005, and was then converted into hotel. 45 rooms-cabins are designed for 130 people. On board there is a restaurant and grill bar. Night in a room with 11 neighbors will cost 220 kronor (21 Euros), individual accommodation – 750 crowns for a single or double room (73 Euros).

Hotel-ship, Russia
One can live on a ship at the heart of  Russia- in its capital. River cruise ship “Alexander Blok”, built in 1984, is now converted into a floating hotel and moored near the Fairgrounds in Krasnopresenk embankment. In the hotel there is a complex of 31 rooms. The list includes cabins, junior suites and suites. Facilities include a restaurant and beauty salon. The cheapest room (cabin for two persons) with shower and toilet, TV and refrigerator costs about 3640 rubles per night.

Hotel-helicopter, U.S.
The first hotel helicopter was built in the United States not long ago. IThe Soviet Mi-18 aircraft serves as a basis for it. Miracle Hotel has made its first test flight, and will soon begin booking rooms. The air-hotel consists of 16 standard rooms and 2 suites. All of them are equipped with the latest technology: LCD screens in rooms, internet. Guests have an opportunity for  not just sitting in a restaurant, but  to go to the fitness center, to take the SPA-procedures and relax in a small Japanese garden among the greenery and fountains. Wanna go there? The news of this unique hotel appeared only six months ago . Unfortunately, it was only an April fool’s joke. However, it is possible that soon someone from hoteliers will take advantage of making this idea into reality.

Trinity
This coffee shop is located out of the city center and away from the usual tourist routes. The easiest way to find it is asking for help from local residents. Inside you’ll find a great bar with a good selection of drinks, for a much lower price than is usually asked in the central streets. There are several tables for a game of pool, a large plasma screen equipped with separate smoking rooms. Under a friendly entourage of bar also relates its staff. They will be keenly interested in how you managed to find this hiding place, and will be sincerely happy that you called on them.

De Rokerij
This coffee shop is on the way to Leidsplein and is famous for its mystical atmosphere. All accommodation consists of one very long room with dim lights, and even more dark walls, the design which you can admire almost forever. “Coffee” is good, but regulars respect this place just for the atmosphere. As in so many places now, to smoke tobacco, you will not be allowed, offering a substitute in the form of herbal counterpart. Bar drinks are sold at quite a reasonable price, especially considering the location of the institution.

The Greenhouse
This network has three establishments in the city. Flagship is in the street of “red lights”. Perhaps, it is one of the most well-known in Amsterdam, and in proof of this, the walls of coffee-shop are decorated with photos of celebrities who used to come here. To somehow compensate for local high prices, alcohol in a bar is sold relatively inexpensively. Smoking indoors is forbidden, but there are few tables on the street, or else you will be offered free replacement of tobacco plant. But there are several caves in the walls, where you can retire and relax. Music is quite eclectic; the “Pink Floyd” and “Snoop Doga Dog” can easily follow one after the other.

The Grasshopper
Establishment is located between the Damrak and the area of “red lights” appears at once in three guises: a bar, restaurant and coffee shop. The latter is at the bottom, which is equipped with a special smoking room. TV is always turned on here, and music pours from the speakers. Staff is friendly, and prices pleasantly surprise.

Hunter’s Café
In this coffee-shop, located at the very beginning of the “red lights” street there are quite a lot of tourists. However gloomy decor of the establishment and many comfortable armchairs and sofas create a very suitable environment for relaxing and a place can be boldly recommended. Staff loves its customers and the prices are slightly lower than in the vicinity. Tobacco, as elsewhere, is under a ban, but you will always be offered its alternatives.

Dolphins
Everything in this place recalls the seabed. Walls are painted in blue and there are full pictures of the underwater world, and some where you can find almost real corals. Below you will find a bar and several tables. To smoke tobacco is forbidden here, but in the top you will be met with open arms by the comfortable couches. And if you miss your friends left at home – This hotel offers free Wi-Fi.

DampKring
This coffee shop became famous through the film «Ocean’s 12 friends”. Since then, people are constantly circulating in the districts who are trying to look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Accommodation in a spacious restaurant and the interior are dominated by various shades of orange, starting from walls to ashtrays. Drinks are sold at an average price, and they simply turn a blind eye to smoking in the room. An imposing cat usually sits in the window, who welcomes the incoming visitors.

We recall that the sale of soft drugs in a limited volume was legalized in Holland in the early 1970’s. However, in the last 15 years, the situation around the marijuana trade has become out of control of the authorities. As a result of comprehensive study conducted by a special commission, the authorities were encouraged to review policies on soft drugs.

All three parties, which the government of the Netherlands is formed of, also agree that it is necessary to prohibit the sale of drugs from cannabis to foreign tourists.

On February 14, take your sweetheart to watch the migration of butterflies in the Mexican province Miokan or go to the carnival in Salvador, not as famous as the carnival in Rio, but more sincere. There is much less direction, and anyone can join the marchers, what is happening on all the streets of this very African city of Brazil.

Do not go to warm countries for fun in March and say goodbye to winter on a merry note. The easiest way for this is the snow and music festival in Mayrhofen Austria. Every year, at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, under the motto “Snowboards day, dancing the night” lovers of winter fun and hot parties are gathered here. After active outdoor recreation follows a more active recreation in clubs, dance parties with the best European D.Js, street costume shows, and live music under the roof and in the middle of the Alps … In general, the main issue is not about where to go, but to keep up everywhere.

If the dancing attracts less than politics, and creative impulses nevertheless need to vent, go to Valencia to engage with local people constructing a giant papier-mâché dolls of famous public figures. It does not matter if the figure created by you would seem unsuccessful: they will be happily burned in the last day of the fire festival. They say that the spectacle of the burning of giant figures with gradually separating parts of their “body” is fascinating and is more impressive than any, even the most grandiose firework.

The festival in the orange of the Netherlands is considered to be the best to celebrate the arrival of the heat and the offensive of spring. Despite the fact that the ruling queen’s birthday is in January, and her predecessor was born on April 30, on the last day of the month citizens dressed in orange, from the morning start to celebrate the holiday which has become national. The most interesting thing is happening in Hague, where the palace of the Queen is, and in Amsterdam, where the Orange mortal river is. Moving in accordance with the bends of channels, people sing, dances and light fireworks. The evening ends with a carnival. By the way, this day the police is not allowed to intervene in what is happening, that is why the fun reaches unimaginable proportions.

An alternative would be to go to Barcelona at St. George’s Day, colorful analogue of Valentine’s Day, when everywhere in the streets there are red roses, and on the square before the cathedral flock of dragons sit peacefully. All day dragons are quietly photographed with everyone allowing dragging their tail, but at midnight, they are prepared for attack, snorting with fire and smoke, cramp the audience. As a result, the emerged victorious St. George wins fire-breathing dragons and in token of reconciliation red roses grow from their jaws.

While choosing where to go in May, you should pay attention to the Scottish Festival of whiskey. It is in May, that a month of whiskey is announced in Scotland. You can visit the distillery usually closed to the outside public and take part in tastings of rare aged varieties.

In June, it is best to choose the white nights of St. Petersburg. You need to only buy tickets in advance on the train or plane, and then, walking at night, enjoy the mystical and romantic atmosphere of the city on the Neva.
Leaving for the traditional European resorts in July (and August) ,perhaps ,will be a madness: it is hot and the crowds are everywhere. It is much better and more interesting to make a fascinating journey along the rivers and lakes of Finland. The choice of water transport means can be anything from a kayak or raft to the comfortable ship, and road maps of water drawn in such detail that even the novice traveler will not get lost in the numerous rivers and lakes of the country.

In August, it’s high time to go to Ireland for a traditional Puck Fair, the world’s oldest non-religious holiday. Known for their love of horses, the Irish turned it into a big fair, where horses are sold and many horse races take place, incendiary Irish music sounds and beer flows. Those who cannot handle the horse are always offered to take part in silly contests like throwing a pie or competitions for the longest tongue. Winner takes on the keg of “Guinness”. The coronation of a wild goat caught in good time in the mountains will be the culmination of the feast.

If you enjoy art, do not miss the most intriguing exhibition of the year in September. In the UK Tate Gallery Turner and Masters Exhibition will be held, where famous British landscape painter’s paintings, which he bequeathed to the gallery, will be paired with the works of those whose style he once imitated.

In October you should go on a camel fair in the Indian city of Pushkar (Rajasthan) by all means. It was once visited only by the locals, but now the fair has gradually become not only the largest place of trade with the animals, but also a national festival that attracts many tourists. Despite the fact that the Year’s Fair is dedicated to the Hindu festival, carnival atmosphere and fun makes it attractive for all. The highlight of the festival is the racing camels.

In November it will be interesting to visit the show in the open air at Brandenburg gates, dedicated to the fall of the Berlin Wall. And of course, December is associated with the wires of the outgoing and the new meeting. To escape from the pre-holiday hustle and get entirely different impressions is possible if you go to the festival of dancing Dervishes in the Turkish city of Konya.

one. The climate will soften on the Baltic coast, which will become more similar to a resort zone with a warm climate; therefore the season here becomes longer. But we should not forget about the rising of the World ocean level, which will not leave the Baltic out ether. A part of territories will unfortunately be flooded, and this misfortune can also concern St. Petersburg.
Siberia and the Far East, according to the unfavorable forecasts of climatologists and soil scientists, most likely, will be inaccessible to the inhabitants of the European region as the permafrost will start to melt actively. According to the forecasts, the communication between the Central, Siberian, and Far East regions will discontinue and the ones who will enjoy their vacations on the resorts of the former Soviet Union will be our Asian friends. Not only they will take vacations there but probably live there, too.
Bob Henson, the author of the “Reference book on global warming” in the interview to CNN named 5 tourist places of interest in the world, which one should hasten to see while they are not destroyed by global warming. Alas, the Big Barrier reef and a lot of coral islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans will suffer the same distressing fate. Islands will be flooded, and corals will die, since besides the rise of the ocean’s level, its temperature will rise too. Corals maintain strictly defined maximal temperatures and even now the water keeps almost at the top of the acceptable level. Ecologists are alarmed – many kinds of corals die already today.
Many North American resorts like New Orleans will appear in the flooding zone, and the ones which will not be flooded, will be ruined by the heat. The Caribbean region will also suffer from flooding and climate change – magnificent forests on islands will be replaced by plants, which do not require as much water. As a result of these cataclysms the resort zone will move to the north and will attract more tourists to Canada, making it the new “Mecca” of the tourism in the Western hemisphere.
Global warming will also have a bad impact on the coniferous woods of the American national parks. Hordes of insects, whose population is currently regulated by the cold winters, having bred, will simply eat the biggest part of the wood cover, and the states would have to spend enourmous means for pest control.
And at last, the tropical forests of Amazon, which had already suffered from the uncontrolled felling, will appear on the verge of disappearance. Destruction of forests does not contribute solely to the erosion of soils, but also results in the humidity reduction in the air. The latter tendency will only amplify because of the mid-annual temperature increase and that will lead to the gradual extinction of the unique tropical plants, which are used to a humid climate.

]]> http://www.travelvivi.com/global-warming-places-to-visit-in-coming-20-years/feed/ 1 http://www.travelvivi.com/keukenhof-park-in-netherlands/ http://www.travelvivi.com/keukenhof-park-in-netherlands/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:57:19 +0000 travelgirl http://www.travelvivi.com/?p=217 Holland is the best place to visit to enjoy flowers, because Netherlands is called “Tulip kingdom”. For those who want to see everything at once, the best is to go to the flower park Keukenhof near the town of Liss, as the most beautiful bulbous world grow there.

The park is open from mid March to late May. So travelers only havea couple of months to see this beauty. After all the 7 million bulbs dug out, and the earth of the park will rest until September.

Since the XV century the land that now occupies the park, was used for the Dutch royal garden courtyard. The name of the park translates as “the kitchen garden”.

In 1949, several companies engaged in the cultivation of tulip bulbs organized the first exhibition of color with the purpose to advertise their products here. This year is the 6oth anniversary of the park. Modern Keukenhof has an area of 32 hectares, which includes lakes, channels, fountains and waterfalls. There are whole families of swans and ducks in the ponds. Guests can walk for 15 km across pedestrian paths.

Several thousand people visit the park every day, it has been repeatedly awarded prizes as a popular place for leisure in Europe. Almost every Dutchman is obliged to visit this place at least once a season. Yes, and residents of other countries such as Germans, Frenchmen, Americans, Brits sure come to Keukenhof during a trip to Holland.

Starting from February, a landscape designers create projects for the next year. Yet within a few months, all consistent with the suppliers of bulbs, and in September landing work begins. Everything is done manually. The park employs the most experienced gardeners – the best of them are able to plant 2 thousand bulbs per hour.

The park is the most photographed place in the world. Once in motion, one can not help but clutch for the camera and did not begin to remove flower sea, in an effort to keep the memory at least a piece of elusive beauty. However, pictures are not able to convey a smell, a combination of bitter, sweet or Oriental honey-wave thin floral scents of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and anemones.

Everything is unique in Keukenhof: there are 7 different garden with individual thoughtful design. Walking through the park, you can see the Japanese and music gardens, in greenhouses are open exhibitions of orchids, iris, and carnations. A separate corner of the park is the “historic garden”, which is decorated in medieval style: straight lines meticulously pollard, correct geometric shapes created by the green fence, fetch composition tapestry.

A theme is selected each year. At this time the entire exhibit is devoted to the U.S. – landscape designers have decided to honor the 400th anniversary of New York. Photographs with recognizable types of “big apple”, the Statue of Liberty from 50 thousand colors and the “garden of the American dream” from the wall with the image of Coca-Cola can be seen here. Officially the theme of the exhibition is announced only at the end of May.

According to the director of the park Pita de Vries, Keukenhof is not so much a tourist attraction, but rather a way to introduce people to new varieties of flowers and increase the number of buyers. But if you want to buy something from the seen in the park, you will have to wait a bit. On the territory there are several houses, where you can make a booking.

During the season, the park offers various activities. But especially those who will visit these places during the Bloemen Corso – the annual parade of colors are lucky. It takes place in the Netherlands in late April. Around 9 am motorcade movement begins in the seaside town of Noordwijk, and then passes through Liss, Hillegom and ends after 40 kilometers at 9 pm in Haarlem. Around 3 pm, the procession passes near the park on the Keukenhof Corso Boulevard. During these days the park is visited by about 50 thousand people.

You can see string of decorated cars moving slowly along the road. Hardly anyone can answer the question, how many colors are needed to create these enormous compositions. Parade of colors is another way to recall the company once again. In addition to a large platform, Keukenhof has issued a funny gardener. And some wanted to provide a conductor of all floral parades. To participate in the celebration you can on any vehicle. Vehicles are moving to the music of a brass band that accompany the process. At the end of the holiday charming girls with euro signs on their chest collect donations for the next parade.