While London has been known to disappoint during the summer months due to the lack of, well, summer, one thing this capital really knows how to do is winter. As autumn fades away and the temperature drops, London comes alive with sparkling lights, bustling shopping streets, cozy cafes and pubs that beckon you in out of the cold.

To make things even better, there are plenty of festive activities to suit even the most meager of budgets. So what are you waiting for? Pull on that hat and scarf and follow these simple tips to make the most of Christmas in London!

Regent Street Christmas lights

Most of London’s Christmas lights get turned on in the first and second weeks of November, a lot earlier than much of Europe. While all of the main shopping centers will be festooned with twinkling lights, most visitors head to the Regent Street lights which, in recent years, have been sponsored by the latest animated film release (this year it is “Arthur Christmas”).

Die hard festive fans may complain about them being sponsored at all, but I can tell you that it is a lot better than the year they were sponsored by Tango… that was, without a doubt, the least Christmas-y thing I have ever seen.

Lights in Oxford Street, Covent Garden and Central London

Oxford Street and Covent Garden are the other main places to wander around and admire the lights, as well as stopping by at Trafalgar Square’s Norwegian Christmas Tree, where carol services are held daily between December 5-22.

However, it is central London’s smaller streets that always outshine the rest. Pretty St Christopher’s Place, trendy Carnaby Street and well-heeled South Molton Street, all of which are tucked away behind Oxford Street, appear to partake in an annual battle to see who can come up with the most creative, atmospheric and visually stunning Christmas lights – undoubtedly the best in London, these streets should not be missed.

Christmas markets

If you’ve had enough of London’s high streets, why not look for inspiration at a Christmas market? Depending on where you go, this can make bagging a bargain just a bit easier and is also a far more festive way to shop.

German Christmas Market at Southbank Centre
Through December 24, 2011

The German Christmas market at the Southbank Centre should be your first port of call, where traditional wooden market stalls light up the banks of the River Thames between November 18 – December 24, selling everything from glühwein and bratwurst to trinkets and gifts.

From December 16-23 the German market will be joined by the Real Food Market – the perfect place to find a present for the Foodie in your life, or stock up on some tasty surprises for Christmas lunch.

The Water Poet Christmas fair
December 10, 2011

Saturday December 10, 2011 is the day to head to east London as The Water Poet in Spitalfields holds its fun-filled Christmas fair between 12-7 p.m. There will be scrumptious food from around the world (including a hog roast), plenty of spiced mulled wine, quirky vintage gifts and even a brass band. Not to be missed.

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
Through January 3, 2012

By far and away London’s biggest nod to the festive season is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland (November 18, 2011- January 3, 2012). When this opened five years ago it did leave rather a lot to be desired, but every year it has got bigger and better and now really does make for a fun day out for all ages.

An ice rink, Ferris wheel, circus and “Santa Land” are among the attractions, as well as handicrafts, Christmas decorations and gift ideas at the Angels Christmas Market. There is also a huge choice of bars and restaurants so you can eat and drink to your heart’s content – the Bavarian Village and the Carousel Bar are highly recommended.

Also in our guide: Heading to London this holiday season and overwhelmed by the hotel prices? We’ve been there! Stop by EuroCheapo’s Guide to Affordable London. Our editors visit, inspect and photograph budget hotels in central London and pick the best.

The post London Christmas Guide: Christmas markets and lights appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Oh, the weather in Paris has been frightful, but the city is still delightful. So crank up Tino Rossi’s classic “Petit Papa Nöel” on the gramophone, or pull on your boots and bravely hot step it outside. For your wandering pleasure, I’ve created a personal list of my favorite holiday rituals and fancy rites!

Lights

Inside Galeries Lafayette

I typically kick off my holiday season with a jaunt to the lights and “vitrines de Noël” (holiday windows) on Boulevard Haussmann. This year, Galeries Lafayette’s windows were outfitted by Italian artist (and master of the spectacle) Valerio Festi to celebrate the resonating, magical beauty of musicals like Hairspray, Le Soldat Rose, Les Rockettes and Mamma Mia.

Meanwhile at nearby Printemps (102 Rue de Provence), royals and marionettes romp and frolic in fantastical and giddy “Nöel au Chateau” tableaux by Lanvin’s artistic director, Alber Elbaz. A “B.F.F. of the Cheapos,” we have Monsieur Elbaz to thank for introducing an affordable Lanvin line to H&M this year. Ooh-Ra-Ra!

Also, let’s not forget the smaller shops! Often restaurants, pâtisseries, boutiques, and even pharmacies hire artists to create holiday murals. Shopping districts in every arrondissement are also gussied up with streetlights.

Cookies

During the holidays I carry at least one meringue cookie in my trench coat pocket or bag at all times. Sweet and crunchy, it’s the ultimate instant sugar rush, making the perfect portable snack. Yes, Goldilocks, size does matter, so go with a medium-sized cookie because the smaller ones are sometimes on the dry side, and the larger ones are occasionally too soft.

Clémentines à feuilles at Lafayette Gourmet

Also, while in nibble-mode, sample other types of cookies like jelly-filled powdered lunettes, rich and crispy florentines, and fleshy iconic macarons. Looking for a big cookie? Ask for a sandy and oh-so-buttery “sablé”!

Fruit

During the colder months, clémentines à feuilles (i.e., with green leaves still attached to show how fresh they are) reign at the produce stands in Paris. You’ll also be tempted by big, bright pyramids of citrons (lemons), cédrats (citrons), and pamplemousses (grapefruit), not to mention tangerines, limes, mandarines, and oranges.

Keep your eyes peeled for les figues violette (purple figs), poires (pears), pommes (apples), raisins (grapes) and caramboliers (star fish). Remember, the produce merchant is your friend and advisor, so don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations!

Chopin at the Musée de la Vie Romantique

Museum Houses

Musée de la Vie Romantique
16 Rue Chaptal (Métro Blanche)

In the quiet and quaint “Nouvelle Athènes” area around Métro Saint-George, you’ll find the Musée de la Vie Romantique. Formerly the home of painter Ary Scheffer, it now showcases works from the Romantic Movement in art and literature. Back in the day, this is where George Sand, Chopin, Delaxroix, Lizt, and Rossini would gather! Scheffer’s paintings are displayed the second floor, while his spunky neighbor George Sand’s art, personal artifacts (and her bling, too!) occupy the first floor. Pack a hankie because electric candlelight and piped-in Chopin gently lends it a truly romantic ambiance.

Hooked on houses? Check out still more amazing digs:

Musée du Gustave Moreau on 14 rue de La Rochefoucauld (Métro Trinité)

Jacquemart-Andre Museum on 158 Boulevard Haussmann (Métro Miromesnil)

Maison de Victor Hugo at 6 place des Vosges (Metro: Chemin-Vert or Saint-Paul)

Le Musée de la Poupée at Impasse Berthaud (Métro Rambuteau) The Doll Museum’s exhibition “Le Retour du Père Nöel” closes January 9.

Cinema 28

Movies

The sun sets early in winter, so why not cozy up with an old flick at the cinema? After seeing “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid,” followed by Audrey Hepburn’s “Love in the Afternoon” one cold and wet New Year’s Day, this became my personal holiday tradition.

My favorite cinema is Studio 28 in Abbesses. Founded in 1928, it became world’s first avant-garde art theater after Salvador Dali and Luis Buñuel premiered one of the first surrealist films there: “L’Age d’Or.” Do look up. Jean Cocteau designed the theater chandeliers!

Also showing oldie-but-goodie American classics (which, by the way, the locals love) are the Action Ecoles at 23 rue des Ecoles (Métro Maubert-Mutualité or Jussieu), the Action Christine on 4 rue Christine (Métro Odéon or Saint-Michel), and the Grand Action at 5 rue des Ecoles (Métro Cardinal-Lemoine or Jussieu)—just to name a few.

Happy Holidays, Cheapos!

The post Paris Holiday Rituals: Lights, cookies, action! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

On Wednesday we put together a photo montage of some of our favorite things about Salzburg’s Christmas markets, so today we offer “some more of our favorite things” about Vienna’s Christmas markets.

(Cue: music!)

Brown paper packages (and puppets and ornaments) tied up with string…

Photo courtesy of tttaaaooo

**Tip: Be sure to pick up a Mozart-themed tree ornament, of which there are many.

Cream colored (Ok, so he’s brown.) ponies and crisp apple streudels…

Photo of the Christmas mini-horse by PaulaFunnell

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes…(but we’ll settle for boys in parkas)-

Ice skating at Town Hall; photo by Premshree Pillai

Snowflakes (stenciled into fancy decorations) that stay on my nose and eyelashes…

Photo of holiday lamps courtesy of Edi Weissmann

Silver white winters that melt into spring…

Photo by mosint

Ooooh.

Photo of Vienna’s Townhall by ahisgett

Ahhh.

Photo taken in front of Schonbrunn Palace, by tomanthony

Fancy!

These are some more of our favorite things!

(Repeat all verses.)

The post Vienna Christmas Markets: More of our favorite things appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.