Dublin is no exception. This compact, walkable city is ideal for budget travelers looking to experience the holiday cheer without emptying their wallets. Keep reading for some of my favorite things – old and new – to do in Dublin in the lead up to Christmas.

1. Christmas windows at Brown Thomas
88 Grafton Street
Web site

Grafton Street, the pedestrianized center of Dublin, is brilliantly lit up for the holidays. Beyond taking in the sparkling lights and huge Christmas tree, one more (completely free) thing to do here is to check out the Christmas windows at Brown Thomas.

This super fancy department store might not be where you will stock up on Christmas gifts, but they always do an incredibly creative job with their festive store windows. As a bonus, many street performers sing holiday carols at this time of year on Grafton Street.

2. Holiday concert: December 19, 2011
Web site

Throughout Dublin there are plenty of opportunities to hear holiday music in the month of December, but what if you want to hear some live music? There is one annual performance that locals look forward to as a Christmas tradition each year.

The Key Notes are an Irish group that perform mostly acapella music, including classic, Irish, and Christmas tunes at the RDS Concert Hall on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 8 p.m. Tickets are only €20 and available through Ticketmaster.

3. Christmas Market at Christ Church Cathedral
Web site

Another holiday tradition, the Christmas market, showcases everything from local arts and crafts to jewelry to local souvenirs. The market at Christ Church Cathedral allows visitors to check out one of Dublin’s best known landmarks, and do a little cheap Christmas shopping at the same time. Expect Christmas tunes, holiday-themed snacks, and some great affordable gift ideas at this market set inside the 12th-century Cathedral. The Christ Church Market is open Saturdays only.

4. The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival
December 9, 2011 – January 8, 2012
Web site

Dun Laoghaire is a seaside village located south of the city center of Dublin, and is easily reached (for cheap) on the DART commuter train. This year Dun Laoghaire is throwing its first Christmas festival, including a German-style Christmas market located on Marine Road with booths full of jewelry, gift ideas, and food. In addition, there is an ice rink for adults and kids who want to try out their skills on skates.

5. Tasting the holiday spirit

Each culture has its own culinary traditions of dishes that evoke a festive spirit. In Dublin, those items are mince pies and mulled wine.

Mince pies are individually sized fruit pies with seasonal spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Mulled wine is a hot drink, consisting of red wine, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Both items are available at all the Christmas markets and are a local (and cheap) way to dive into Dublin Christmas traditions.

Bonus: Impromptu performance?

If you happen to be in Dublin on Christmas Eve, go ahead and take a stroll on Grafton Street during the afternoon. In years past some of Dublin’s biggest stars have shown up for an impromptu street performance, including Bono, Damien Rice, and Glen Hansard.

Also in our guide: Budget travelers heading to Dublin at Christmas or any other time should check out our reviews of our favorite cheap hotels in Dublin. Each hotel has been visited, inspected, photographed and reviewed by our editors. Read more in our Dublin guide.

The post Dublin: 5 Christmas traditions for budget travelers appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Kicking off the new year in the Orkney Islands

On New Year’s day, the Orkney town of Kirkwall hosts one of the most bizarre sporting events of the winter season. The “ba” is a strange version of rugby which attracts several hundred participants. The port town has two kinds of citizens: the “uppies,” born south of Kirkwall’s squat red cathedral, and the “doonies,” who hail from the nether regions north of the cathedral. The “ba” refers both to the game itself and to the leather ball cast into the crowd at the Mercat Cross in the center of town.

The aim of the game is simple: catch the “ba” and take it back to your part of town. What looks to the uninitiated like a mere scrum is, at its best, a game of clever tactics. False breaks deceive the opposition and locals tell us that for much of the game most of the crowd have no inkling where the ba actually is.

Collecting ice on Mount Etna

Now if that seems like an oddball way of spending New Year’s Day then why not follow the thousands of Sicilians who will mark the start of 2011 by driving on snowy roads up the side of Mount Etna. No one expects to get very far in wintry weather, but the summit is not the goal. Snow gathered from the slopes of Etna on New Year’s Day makes the finest granita. At least, that’s the view in Sicily where granita is the local take on sorbet: a delicate icy crush flavored with freshly squeezed fruit juice and honey.

The agenda for the day is simple. Leave early, pause in Zefferana for Mass or an espresso (or both) and then follow the winding road up the mountain, past shrines and old lava flows, to the snow line. Snow is packed into ice boxes and onto the roofs of cars – the latter a melting testament that for a few hours confirms that the driver has made the celebrated Etna run.

Eating cake in Greece

New Year’s Day is Greece is altogether simpler than in Orkney or Sicily. In Greece, the start of a new year is a time to eat cake. Not any cake, but Vasilópita, a specialty baked in honor of St Basil whose feast is celebrated in the Greek Orthodox tradition on January 1. According to Greek custom, families invoke a blessing on their houses by sharing Vasilópita.

This Greek house-blessing ritual anticipates a cultural antic that is a feature of Catholic regions of central Europe later in January. In areas from Alsace to Bohemia, from the Baltic to the Alps, house blessings are associated with the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6.

Blessing houses in central Europe

Greeks have it easy. Blessing your house just means eating cake. In central Europe, the whole affair is more complicated as singers progress from house to house, dressed as the biblical three kings who are said to have followed a star to Bethlehem. Households that oblige with an offering for charitable causes are blessed and an inscription is made in chalk over the lintel. Next week’s mark will read:

20 C+M+B 11

The mark thus includes the year and the initials of the three kings: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The same three letters also recall the Catholic blessing “Christus mansionem benedicat” (viz. “May Christ bless this house”).

To all travelers a good start into the new year!

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Then, of course, there is the holiday extravaganza that is 5th Avenue. And Macy’s. And, well, any department store that is worth its salt in window displays. But where to go? And how to fight the crowds and actually enjoy the festival of lights without losing your mind? We’ve got your holiday window walking tour right here.

Stop 1: Macy’s
34th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
Subway: N/Q/R/B/D/F to Herald Square

Click to see these windows on a map.

Let’s start at the very beginning. Macy’s kicked off the holiday season with that little parade it held on Thanksgiving Day. Santa made his first appearance of the season and the holidays were off to a rip-roaring start. Enter 34th Street, home not only to Macy’s but to that magical holiday story, “Miracle on 34th Street,” which is retold in adorable animatronics nodding their heads and flying their reindeer legs in the Macy’s windows on 34th.

Stop 2: Lord & Taylor
424 5th Ave at 39th St

From Macy’s, head east to 5th Avenue and north to 39th Street to check out Lord & Taylor’s incredible, and historic, panes. In 1938, this upscale department store displayed the first ever animated holiday windows. To this day the trendsetting store does it up right. To maintain the unadulterated Christmas spirit, windows are simply the festive animated scenes, no merchandise allowed.

Detour: For a fun treat, and a quick bout of warmth, make a pit stop on the way to Lord & Taylor. At 36th Street, head an extra block east to Madison Avenue to the Morgan Library. Yes, you’ll have to pay an admission price here ($15), but you’ll see the original manuscript of a quintessential bit of Christmas: Charles Dickens’s Christmas Carol, all bound in lovely leather as once gifted to his solicitor.

Stop 3: Saks Fifth Avenue
611 5th Ave between 49th and 50th

From Lord & Taylor, you have a bit of a stroll along 5th Avenue (stop into the New York Public Library at 42nd Street to see their giant tree) to the next set of windows. But once you reach Saks Fifth Avenue you’ve got lights galore for miles—or at least several blocks.

But we’ll start with Saks, where the windows are grand but the highlight is the glorious light show which has snowflakes dancing across the 10-story building. Arrive here after dark to partake in the full spectacle, and since you’re in the neighborhood, make a pilgrammage across the street to Rockefeller Center and its famous tree.

Fun fact: The snowflakes, inspired by William “Snowflake” Bentley’s snowflake photos from the 1920’s, are made from more than 40 LED modules (that’s 2.5 miles of lights) but consume only 2600W, the energy equivalent of three toaster ovens. Go Saks! Out of town Cheapos can see the snowflake dance here.

Stop 3: Fifth Avenue
50th Street to 59th Street

After gaping at the at the snowflake show, which takes place every 15 minutes, it’s a slow stroll up Fifth Avenue for some incredible windows and gorgeous lights. Highlights include the gleaming UNICEF snowflake which hovers over 5th Avenue at 57th Street, the red bow of lights that wraps the Cartier building at 52nd (we’ll unwrap that!) and, of course, the classy and captivating displays at a certain store whose signature bows (and boxes) are not red but blue. Not sure what we’re talking about? You’ll happen upon this little shop of Audrey Hepburn fame at 727 Fifth Ave between 56th and 57th.

Also in the hood are Henri Bendel (712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street), where the windows this year celebrate scenes from The Nutcracker, and Bergdorf Goodman (754 Fifth Avenue at 58th Street), with its futuristic “Wish You Were Here” travel theme.

Stop 4: FAO Schwarz
767 5th Avenue at 58th Street

When you hit 58th Street, take a detour into FAO Schwarz, toyland itself, where you can warm up in the cafe or pounce on the giant piano a la Tom Hanks in Big. Nothing says Christmas like being a kid again.

Stop 5: Bloomingdale’s and Dylan’s Candy Bar
59th Street and Lexington Avenue

If you’ve still got energy after all that, head east on 58th Street to Bloomingdale’s (59th Street and Lexington Avenue), where the digital screens give a more modern, techie holiday feel. Then replenish your energy with a pit stop at the colorful Dylan’s Candy Bar (1011 Third Avenue at 60th Street).

Cheapos take note: This last stop, a candy heaven founded by Dylan Lauren (daughter of Ralph) is certainly sweet with its 5,000-plus types of candy, but it’s sensory overload, especially at this time of year. Be prepared to fight crowds for your candy fix. And please refrain from shoving small children—there are plenty of chocolate-covered gummy bears to go around.

For a quieter respite, you might instead head over to the iconic Serendipity (225 East 60th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues) to, er, warm up over a heaping glass of their famous frozen hot chocolate ($8.75). Sound coutnerintuitive? It may be cold, but it’ll warm the heart!

Browsing Tips:

Here’s the thing Cheapos: You’re going to run into crowds on this gazing excursion. There may even be lines to see some windows. To minimize the headaches, try going later in the evening.

Stores close between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., so have dinner, maybe a drink (or two) and then make your way out to check out the lights. You’ll still run into fellow light-gawkers, but at least the shopping throngs will have dispersed by then.

Did Ya Know?

A few fun facts about holiday windows…

1) The holiday window tradition started in the 1840s, when stores displayed wrapped gifts and evergreens. Then in the 1870s the public was fascinated by the toy trains in the windows of L.P. Tibbals’ toy store.

2) Macy’s took decorating up a notch in 1874, when it displayed $10,000 worth of dolls, effectively setting the window-watching trend—and the annual “What if my toy is sold out?” panic.

3) In 2010 Bergdorf spent nearly $300,000 on real antiques and quartz crystal bling for its windows, themed “Wish You Were Here.”

The post Secrets to Seeing New York’s Best Christmas Windows appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

When it comes to holiday festivities, Rome doesn’t exactly turn into tinsel town. That’s partly because the holiday season in Italy is focused on the religious aspects of the celebration, rather than on leaving presents under the Christmas tree.

Christmas traditions in Italy

Italians wait to give gifts to children until January 6 when La Befana, a witch on a broomstick, delivers presents to children. If Roman children have been naughty, tradition has it they should receive carbone (coal), so you’ll notice pastry shops selling confections of witches with baskets and caldrons of coal-shaped candy.

Despite these differences, you can still easily get into the holiday spirit in Rome. The city offers several “winter wonderland” activities for you to marvel at and enjoy. Seven of my favorite spots are:

Traditional Christmas Market (Centro Storico)
Piazza Navona
Through January 6, 2011

Each year, Rome’s most beautiful piazza hosts a traditional Christmas market where you can find stands of candy, trinkets, ornaments and other bric-a-brac. And yes, you can pick up one of the famous witches mentioned earlier with her caldron.

Ice Park Christmas Village (San Giovanni)
Piazza Re di Roma
Through January 11, 2011; 10 a.m.-midnight
Web site

People of all ages can enjoy skating on ice at the Ice Park Christmas Village in the San Giovanni neighborhood. It doesn’t cost you a thing to get in. All you have to do is pay for the rental of the skates. The park also puts on daily shows and ice-skating exhibitions.

The Immaculate Conception – Papal Procession
December 8, 2010; 4 p.m.
Near the Spanish Steps

Every year on the day of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), the Pope pays homage to the Virgin Mary with a procession to Piazza Mignanelli near the Spanish Steps at around 4 p.m. The tradition, which dates back to 1958, calls for the Pope to leave a floral wreath on the statue of the Madonna after he has knelt for prayer.

Chanukkah – Light of the Menorah (Centro Storico)
Piazza Barberini

Starting on December 1, every evening just before dusk you can celebrate the candle lighting of a large menorah at Piazza Barberini.

Nativity Scene at the Vatican
St. Peter’s Square
December 24, 2010-January 9, 2011

The nativity scene at St. Peter’s Square is one of the most beautiful things to witness around Christmastime in Rome. Each year, a gargantuan presepe (nativity scene) is constructed in the center of Piazza San Pietro. The scene is open to visit day and night for free.

Christmas Midnight Mass at the Vatican
St. Peter’s Square
December 24, midnight

For those who wish to attend the midnight Papal Christmas Eve mass at the Vatican, you can try to score tickets for the service by sending a request through the Vatican’s Web site. By now, however, the chances of getting tickets are pretty slim, but you can still try.

Alternatively, if you don’t land tickets, you can stand among the thousands of worshipers, pilgrims and onlookers in Piazza San Pietro around 10 p.m. when Pope Benedict XVI gives his Christmas Eve Mass.

Christmas Tree in Piazza Venezia (Centro Storico)
Piazza Venezia

The lighting of a beautiful Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia traditionally takes place late November. Due to this year’s torrential rainfall and ongoing student protests in the city center, however, the traditional lighting has been postponed. Once the lights are hung, she’s definitely a beauty. City workers should finish the decorating of the Christmas tree by December 8, as per tradition. So, keep your eyes peeled.

The post Rome: Christmas markets, ice skating, and other holiday activities appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These little boutiques are great for last-minute shoppers and those looking for unique gifts and trinkets to bring home to friends and family. If you happen to be dragged to one of these marts against your will, have no fear because there is usually an excess of hot chocolate, cider and gourmet treats to enjoy as you mill around.

Here’s the roundup of the best holiday marts in NYC:

Boutique shopping in Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops
Sixth Ave. and 42nd St.
Through Jan. 2
Hours: Mon.– Fri. 11 a.m.– 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.– 9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.

The shops surrounding the Citi Pond are surprisingly upscale for their temporary stature. A “boutique village” now appears where Bryant Park normally resides, complete with windows and an array of national brand names ready to serve holiday shoppers.

Among crafters and home decor you can also find stores like Sabon, Max Brenner and Kate Spade–all offering special gift packages for the season. In addition to these there are some unique shops like Dynomighty Design, featuring the slimmest, most indestructible wallet known to man (the “Mighty Wallet”) and jeweler Lucid with festive snowflake necklaces and rings for the ladies.

Strumming at Union Square

Union Square Holiday Market
14th St. between Park Ave. and Broadway
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Holiday Market at Union Square has a much more hometown feel than that of Bryant Park. The plywood-constructed booths are home to a variety of entrepreneurial ventures–jewelers, knitters, importers, artists and bakers. The ambiance is full of spirit, with apple doughnuts, hot cocoa and a guitar player or two all making their way around the garland-decorated square.

Not to be missed is the Alpaca Hat vendor, Back from Bali importers for children’s clothes and Copa Soaps. There are plenty of stocking stuffer options on the cheap, plus a free holiday gift-wrap booth courtesy of HSBC!

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Central Park South and Central Park West
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

The Columbus Circle holiday marketplace is in its seventh year running and becoming a center for delectable food vendors. Though it is still home to many crafters and unique artisans, it offers some of the city’s best grub with Pies N’ Thighs, Fatty Crab and Crif Dogs now on the scene. If you still have room after that, you can indulge in a gingerbread house (or buy a kit to construct your own) and chow down on some French truffles found in nearby booths. New to the Columbus Circle Market this year is the Market Concierge, which will help lead you to the vendor or nearby shops you desire.

Grand Central Holiday Fair
42nd St. and Lexington Ave.
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

If the outdoor chill is a major deterrent to market shopping, then you can head indoors to Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall, which currently hosts 76 holiday vendors. The hall offers similar merchants to the other holiday markets, however it is geared towards a higher-end clientele. This can be seen in merchants like scarf designer Margo Petitti, and Aviva Stanoff’s detailed pillows and home décor.

The post The Best Outdoor Holiday Markets in New York appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Take a look at photos we hunted down of recent festive happenings at the Salzburg Christmas markets. These are truly a few of our favorite things…

Hand-painted egg ornaments

Hundreds of thousands of hand-painted egg tree ornaments are available at the annual Christmas markets. The fragile gems come in various patterns and designs, but traditional holiday symbols, like poinsettias and ivy, seem to be the most popular.

Photo courtesy of jon gos)

Santa Clauses on the march!

Photo courtesy of Savannah Grandfather

Ok, who doesn’t love a good Santa costume, especially when it’s a legitimate throwback to another era entirely, and worn by an enthusiastic teenage boy? (Or is that Harry Potter?) Bonus points if you can figure out what he’s handing out. Anyone want a coupon for a shave?

Carriage rides through the streets of Salzburg!

Photo courtesy of Savannah Grandfather

Horses and garland, and riding, OH MY! We love that Salzburg dresses up its carriages just in time for Santa’s sleigh ride.

Tell us, Cheapos: What are your favorite things about Salzburg Christmas markets?

See also: Our list of recommended budget hotels in Salzburg.

The post Salzburg Christmas Markets: A few of our favorite things appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The Christmas Market Tradition

Europe’s holiday market tradition began in Germany and Austria. Today, many well-known markets, like those in Nuremberg and Munich, draw record crowds. Heck, there’s even a company that specializes in European Christmas market tours around the holidays.

The most popular markets can still be found in Germany and Austria, but cities in our other countries, like Copenhagen, Denmark and Prague, Czech Republic, throw their own festive fairs. Markets typically open during the last week of November and remain open until the day after Christmas.

Here’s a very merry round-up of the most notable Christmas markets In Europe. If you happen to be nearby, we recommend a browse-through.

Salzburg

The annual “adventmarkt,” filled with stalls, good eats, and more, takes place in Julius-Raab Platz. Check out the fantastical “Christkindlmarkt” web site for more info, or simply visit the Salzburg Tourism Info site here.

Vienna

Mozart’s main stomping ground is the veritable creme de la creme for Christmas market gurus. Fairs are open in multiple locations and feature live DJ music, petting zoos, gospel choirs, and authentic handicrafts. Visit the Vienna Tourism Board for info, dates, and directions to the markets.

Munich

Another mother lode when it comes to Christmas markets in Europe, the Munich Advent “markt” is expansive, boasting concerts, traditional food, and free historical tours of the market. The tourism board has more info, including how to get there, and where to park if you’re arriving by car. (Anyone who wants to offer their own caption for the photo that appears on this page, please pass it on. “Nordic vikings attack unsuspecting child at Munich Christmas market“?)

Berlin

Whether you like your markets authentic or chock full of special effects, Berlin’s the place to be if only for the number and sheer size of some of its markets. Most notably, the market in Potsdamer Platz, titled “WinterMagic,” features a 4,000 square-foot outdoor space with a Ferris wheel, Legoland structure for kids to play in, and more. A comprehensive list of all markets can be found here.

Bonus: Download a FREE PDF history of the markets here, or watch this YouTube video for more info on the tradition of the German Christmas market. You can also visit the ‘markt’ section of the Berlin Tourism site for more info (in German only).

Copenhagen

The largest market can be found in Tivoli Gardens and has become an infamous go-to spot for getting into the spirit. Here, elves in full costume bounce among revelers and the light displays -orchestrated by the lead designer for Tiffany & Co – hang overhead. Games, ornaments, and much more are available. Check out the “Visit Copenhagen” site for info on this and many more Copenhagen markets.

Brussels

This year, the Christmas market in Brussels, Belgium kicks off in Place St. Catherine. Ice skating is available. Be sure to buy some chocolates, and don’t forget to stop to see Manneken Pis in full Santa regalia. The “Visit Belgium” site has more info.

Prague

The Czech city really does it up with major fests in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Smaller fairs occur elsewhere throughout the holidays. Check out the “Prague Experience” site for info, dates, and more.

Stay tuned this week as we take you through the European Christmas market circuit in daily photo montages.

Tell us: And, if you’ve been to a holiday market in Europe, tell us about it! What was it like? What did you buy or sample?

Happy Holidays, Cheapos!

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