Like many children around the world, I grew up believing in Santa Claus. As an adult, I discovered that there is a Santa Claus, and I met him in North Pole (Alaska).
I love to visit London any time of year, but the Christmas holiday season is one of my favorite times to visit because there are so many fun and festive things to do in London in December.
Christmas Markets, decorated trees, sparkling lights, and holiday concerts galore. On my December trip to London, I found the city wrapped up in all things Christmas.
There is always a lot to do in London, and this time of year, even more so. So after spending ten days getting into the holiday spirit, this is my list of all the festive things I did in London in December.
There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit than a luxurious train trip from London to the Winchester Christmas Market on the historic British Pullman. A British Pullman day trip is always a special event, and even more so during the festive holiday season.
I love taking unique rail journeys, and the British Pullman day trip from London to the Winchester Christmas market certainly promised to be a magical experience. I can’t think of any better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a special Christmas train trip that hearkens back to the golden age of train travel.
Let these photos take you along with me on what I think was the best Rhine River Christmas Market cruise with Riverside Cruises.
What was my best Christmas present this year? A Christmas Market cruise on the fabled Rhine river with Riverside Luxury Cruises.
I grew up with a lot of German Christmas holiday traditions and it’s been my long time wish to experience the authentic Christmas Markets in Germany. My wish came true on a seven day Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Frankfurt where each day offered a new celebration of the holiday spirit.
Each year the official Christmas tree in London is displayed at Trafalgar Square. The tree is a Norwegian Spruce from Norway that is 50 to 60 years old and is donated by the city of Oslo. This tradition started in 1947 as a show of gratitude for Britain’s help to Norway during WWII.
Along with Big Ben and the Tower Bridge, the London Eye has become an iconic structure that immediately identifies the city which is ironic because it was initially built for only a five year run to celebrate the millennium. This Christmas tree is one of many that I saw throughout London on my visit this December.
One of my favorite department stores in London is Fortnum and Mason. It started as a grocery store in the early 1700’s and continues to be a purveyor of fine food and drink to this day. I especially love having afternoon tea at the store’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Room. For the Christmas Holidays, Fortnum and Mason went all out decorating both inside and outside the store.
It seems that London goes all out for Christmas. Hanging over the shopping streets of Regent Str. Oxford Str. and Bond Str. were miles of huge light installations that blinked and put on a continuous show.
Like my treasured Christmas ornaments, my Christmas quilt comes out once a year. When it finally hangs on my family room wall, then I know that the Christmas season has finally begun. And like many of my quilts, I made the back interesting so that I can display it also.
During my trip to Japan this November, I was surprised at how many Christmas decorations I saw throughout my travels. I did not expect to find Christmas in Japan.