Can you hear those European sleigh bells ringing? Jump aboard the AA Christmas sleigh, as we fly through a list of top experiences to fully immerse yourself in a Western European Christmas.

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1. Meet Santa Claus in Lapland, Finland

Keen to get that definitive answer on whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year? If so, we recommend layering up your winter woollies and heading to the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland (the northern-most region of Finland) to ask the big jolly man yourself. Santa, or ‘Joulupukki’, as he’s called in Finland has his official ‘office’ here 365 days a year, so you have plenty of chances to take him through your official Christmas wish-list and discuss his upcoming flight path. Even the staunchest non-believer can’t help but feel a pang of Christmas magic.

 

2. Dazzle under the best Christmas Lights in London

You just can’t go past the dazzling Christmas lights in London, England. If you fancy your lights with a botanical twist then come dark, take yourself to Christmas at Kew to head down their magical winter trail as it illuminates the evening skies. Or if you want your lights with the buzz of retail, head down Oxford Street or around St James and Piccadilly to drink in all the Christmas spirit. Lastly, if you like your lights luxe, head to the upmarket Mayfair and Belgravia suburbs or the high-end shopping district of Bond St.

 

3. Walk into a fairy tale at the Christmas markets in Basel, Switzerland

December kicks off one month of pure Christmas magic in the charming Swiss city of Basel. You can place yourself right amongst it at the pretty and charming Münsterplatz and Barfüsserplatz markets.   

At Münsterplatz, you can gaze at the giant Christmas tree, which seems to be the beating heart of these exquisitely decorated markets. It’s here, in one of the most beautiful squares in Basel you can breathe in all the Christmas magic.  

Alternatively, you can transport yourself to Barfüsserplatz market, where you can work your way through all the Christmas delicacies on offer – filling both your belly and heart with Christmas joy as you soak up the delightful setting.

 

4. Gear up for a traditional German Christmas lunch at 12 Apostles.

Now is the time to embrace Christmas lunch with an Olympic style vigour. To do this, we recommend taking you and your appetite to Frankfurt to visit the Zu den 12 Aposteln (12 Apostles) for a traditional German lunch. With a comforting warm ambience, it won’t take long for the mouth to start salivating over the belt-loosening menu that includes whole goose, Matjes (herring) and Frankfurter schnitzel. 

 

5. Christmas shop with Parisian chic

Give your Christmas shopping list a glam twist and shop in style in Paris. A word of warning though, you may walk away with a significant selection of gifts for yourself (which would not be a bad thing) and less for the family. You could take your credit card for a spin at exquisite Galeries Lafeyette department store, or stop into the beautiful boutiques of the Le Marais area. Or you could marvel in the magnificent food hall La Grande Epicerie de Paris located in department store Le Bon Mache, which offers an eclectic range of rare and luxury gourmet products.

 

6. Re-enact some of your favourite Christmas books or movies in London, England.

Step into your favourite scenes from Christmas literary classics or modern movies.  Charles Dickens wrote his 1864 classic novella A Christmas Carol as England was embracing the newer traditions of Christmas cards and trees. So become your own 19^th century protagonist and remind yourself again of the meaning of Christmas. If you want to inject a modern twist, take your pick from the cast of characters from Love Actually and re-enact some of the iconic scenes (our favourite is the Heathrow Airport scenes) to get your Christmas buzz a buzzing.

 

7. Drink traditional Swedish Glögg in Stockholm.

Swedish Glögg (or mulled wine to us playing in the Southern Hemisphere) is literally Christmas in a cup and smells just as good as it tastes. You can soak up both Glögg and a Nordic Christmas atmosphere at the delightful Christmas markets dotted over Stockholm. During December, you can visit the market in Gamla Stan for a tasty tipple (even pairing it with reindeer meat). Or catch a boat to the whimsical island of Skeppsholmen to sip wine and roam around these delightful markets.

 

8. Stay in a storybook-worthy chalet in France

It’s time to winter chalet in style. Think roaring fires, majestic mountains, gastromy-delights and plenty of the white stuff to perfect your snow angels. If you’re in the market for experiencing luxury, check out the ultra-chic La Mainaz, located on the France/Switzerland border, which offers chalet-style rooms with all the mod-cons. You’ll be spending your Christmas drinking in the majestic views of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc making it one you’ll never forget. Or if you are craving wood-beamed lounges, heated pools and spa zones then head to the x of France to L'Oxalys's chalet apartments, where you can celebrate the festive season in tasteful size, sipping on mulled wine as you watch the ski lifts trundle past.

 

9. Ride a Sleigh at the Grand Hotel Kronenhof in St Moritz, Switzerland

Warning: There is no turning back after getting a glimpse of this hotel on their website.  This is real deal luxury.  The majestic Grand Hotel Kronenhof swung back it’s luxurious doors to welcome guests over 150 years ago and is rumoured to be one of the properties that inspired filmmaker Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. It’s with this luxury history they can offer the most unique events – one so being the opportunity to drink in the views of St Moritz via horse drawn carriage plus also cross frozen lakes and through the exquisite surrounding forests. It will be your own Christmas wonderland. 

 

10. Pick yourself up a traditional Christmas jumper in Denmark

It’s no festive season without a snug fitting novelty Christmas jumper. We say embrace the glorious greens and reds of the festive season and the more bling, the better. Big or small, tall or skinny- anyone can wear a Christmas sweater. You can get your Christmas thread fix by checking out Danish retailer Jules Sweater (‘Christmas Sweaters’), where you can choose from any array of subjective ugliness for the whole family.

 

11. Enjoy a Dublin Gospel Christmas in Ireland

The Dublin Gospel Choir are a household name in Ireland, so let your ears have the pleasure of listening to their take on Christmas carols. Delivering a curated selection of tunes that are joyful, uplifting, nostalgic and just downright funky! You will be treated to exquisitely powerful voices and rich harmonies that will stay with you long after the concert has finished.

 

12. Curl up with a good book in Iceland

Have you heard of Jolabokaflod (or “Christmas Book Flood” in English)? It is the Icelandic tradition of giving and unwrapping new books on Christmas Eve, where you can cozy-up with the family and read until Santa shows up. This tradition kicks off in late September when a free catalogue of Iceland’s newest books called the Bokatidindi is delivered to each home. So whether you’re a stalwart crime aficionado or live and breathe the biography, there is something for everyone. 

 

13. Reimagine chocolate in Belgium

Time to take traditional chocolate eating and flip it on its head at this ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate shop, The Chocolate Line. Dominique Persoone (aka 'shock-o-latier') creates a wildly experimental range of flavours that includes the likes of Cuban cigar, wasabi and yuzu.

 

 

14. Visit the world's biggest gingerbread city

 

Mmmmm….sugar, spice and all things nice will greet you as you visit the biggest gingerbread town in Bergen, Norway. In a tradition dating back over 30 years, this exhibition, known as Pepperkakebyen, recreates whimsical buildings, trains, carousels, ferris wheels and idyllic scenes from daily life – all in a delicious editable format. These creations are produced by local schools and kindergartens, alongside international donations and all raise money for charity.

 

 

 

 

15. Help to decorate the homes of Italy

Italians have a semi-official day to put up your Christmas decorations. It takes place on December 8th which is a national holiday in Italy - the Festa dell’immacolata, or the Feast of the immaculate conception. Alongside marking the beginning of the holiday season for most Italians, it is the day to dust off the Christmas ornaments and get them hanging in the house! 

 

Merry Christmas everyone!