Results matching “Christmas”

Selfridges now has a Krispy Kreme doughnut kiosk in their food hall. Heated glazed doughnuts can be purchased as well as the standard Krispy Kreme doughnut offerings that you can find in shops and their stores. In addition, the special Selfridges Krispy Kreme kiosk are selling limited edition doughnuts, including their Selfridges doughnut for chocolate lovers; it is filled with chocolate.

Another offering is the Magic Unicorn doughnut, which I did buy. It is topped and filled with vanilla cream and comes in pink or blue. It is delicous.

There is also a salted caramel one and a fruity one on offer in Selfridges. At the moment, their Christmas ones are also on offer. I'm not sure how long they will operate the Krispy Kreme from Selfridges.

Going to see a Christmas concert is one way to get into the Christmas spirit after a busy couple of weeks of traveling and a busy year. Last Thursday, I took my parents to the Royal Albert Hall to see the BT Christmas Concert and to have a pre-concert meal at Elgar Bar and Grill, which is located inside the Albert Hall. I had been looking forward to the Christmas concert for awhile. I absolutely love Christmas music. The classic Christmas music is my favourite, and I love the hits by greats like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Mel Torme, Ferrante & Teicher, and so many others.

Elgar Bar and Grill serves up a selection of grilled meats and vegetarian options. It is decorated with photographs of famous singers who performed at the Albert Hall and also contains a piano in the room, but this was not being played. There are a few restaurants in and around the Albert Hall, but I picked this one because it had a good menu and food that we could all agree on. I ordered the James Brown-inspired cocktail (Soul Power) from the menu. We had roast beef, sirloin steak, and chicken. Chips and mashed potato were ordered, and the chicken came with puree carrots and crispy kale. 

For dessert, we had banoffee ice cream, creme brulee, and sticky toffee pudding. The food was delicious. I would visit this restaurant again the next time I visit the Royal Albert Hall.

After the meal, we headed into the Royal Albert Hall, which was decorated for the festive season.

The concert had a good mixture of music performed by the Laura Tebbutt, London Community Gospel Choir, the Tiffin Boys' Choir, Nadim Naaman (currently performing in 'Phantom of the Opera'), Laura Wright, the London choir and orchestra, and the Royal Marines drummers. Many traditional Christmas songs were sung/played. Clare Balding and Chris Hollins hosted the evening with some really cheesey Christmas-themed jokes. I loved the Royal Marines coming in to drum their Christmas beat in complete synchornisation, and I loved the vocalists and orchestra. The night ended with a fantastic firework display with confetti falling to the floor. 

It was a great night, but I would have preferred less audience participation (carols and carol singing), although I believe that the choice of hosting and anticipation from previous years did make it a bit more of an informal event. I would have loved to have heard the orchestra play more songs on their own or be able to enjoy listening to the singing from my seat instead of being forced to sing and subjected to the noises made by the groups of women who had had a little too much. As this was a hosted event, I would have preferred a little more facts about the music being played or coming up instead of the cheesey Christmas jokes used as fillers. However, I think it was the type of event that best goes down with a few drinks before and during the show.

After visiting Kufstein in Innsbruck in Austria, we headed to the town of Lindau, which is situated on Lake Constance in southwest Germany (in Bavaria). The town is on an island in the lake, with a bridge to the mainland, and the town dates back to before Roman times. There are boat trips around the lake or to an Austrian town on the opposite side of the lake. The town also has its own Christmas market, which is situated on the picturesque harbour. The Christmas market was the main reason for our visit.

We arrived fairly early and had a wander around the Christmas market first. The Christmas market is fairly small but has a diverse selection of items for sale and the famous mulled wine.

Smoked fish was also on offer here, and I noticed this before from other Christmas markets.

Another popular treat I discovered in Lindau, and this was similar to a pizza. There were sweet and savoury ones, and I had the sweet one with apple and vanilla cream. I've never had anything that tasted quite like this before.

The day we visited was very foggy and cloudy, but there was a short moment where the clouds lifted and we could see the mountains on the other side of the lake. The harbour has a lighthouse and a sculpture of a seated lion, which looks like a tribute to Roman times.

There is also a clocktower on the side of the harbour, and this opens later in the afternoon and in the evening to offer wonderful views over the harbour and the Christmas market.

After exploring the Christmas Market, we walked down the main street in Lindau, which is only a couple of streets away from the harbour. We saw the beautiful buildings, shops, and a huge Christmas tree. We also had dinner at a German restaurant.

After eating, we went back to the Christmas market in order to see it in the dark. It looked beautiful lit up with the clocktower glowing.

Whereas Innsbruck in Austria has a mountain Christmas Market, Lindau has a lake Christmas market. Have you ever been to Lindau Christmas Market?

After exploring Kufstein in Austria (on the border with Germany) and its castle, I visited Innsbruck, which is just down the road and in the Tyrol/Tirol region. Innsbruck is noted for its winter sports and has a skiing resort on the mountains above the city, which can be seen from the city. It has hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. It is also the home of Swarovski crystal glass company, which is located nearby with a crystal glass experience located in Innsbruck itself. Unfortunately, we did not get to go to that or take a ride on the cable car up to the mountain, but we did get to explore the Christmas market. One of the Christmas trees in the market is actually made with the Swarovski crystals.

Innsbruck has wonderful mountain views from the city with wonderful photograph opportunities, such as the one below with the government building off Wilhelm-Greil-Straße.

 The Triumph Arc below that is another monument that frames the snow-capped mountains nicely.

Unfortunately, it grew darker before we could check out the Christmas market with the snow-capped mountains behind it, but I could still see the lights from the ski lodges on the mountain above in the darkness.

We had dinner at an Austrian restaurant before exploring some of the old town and the Christmas market. Like the German Christmas markets, all types of items can be bought here from crafts to cooked food to mulled wine to Christmas decorations. It has a wonderful atmosphere with a large Christmas tree, Rathaus and decorated buildings, such as the building with the golden roof. Unfortunately, I was only able to see these in the dark so could not get any impressive photographs.

One of the charms of Innsbruck we noticed were large giant puppets and sculptures on the top above the doorways of buildings depicting giants and fairy tales. The "Fairy Tale and Giant's Alley" is a treat showing several characters dressed as giants or fairy tales. I spotted 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves' and 'Rapunzel', but there were so many more to find along the way and in unexpected places if bothering to look up.

The Christmas market also promises other activities and horse/pony rides through the town, so it was a shame that we arrived too late to also take advantage of this. I may have to go back.

Earlier this month, I travelled to Munich, Germany to visit the Munich Christmas Market. On the second day of this holiday, my parents and I had a day trip to Austria to the Tirol/Tyrol region. Our first stop was the town of Kufstein in Austria, which is on the border of Germany and on the fringe of the Alps and Bavaria. Kufstein is a popular place for skiing and the arts and has its own open-air theatre for events. It also has buildings dating from medieval times and a castle on top of a steep hillside. It was once a walled city, and parts of the old wall can still be seen.

On the way to Austria, we saw snow and mountains and beautiful scenery and buildings.

The first stop once we arrived in Kufstein, Austria was to visit Kufstein Castle / Fortress, which is located on top of a steep hill in the town. The castle is more than 800 years old and includes an open-air theatre and organ. The castle was first documented in 1205 and passed ownership many times between the region and Bavaria. The access to the castle is in the middle of the town and up a funicular railway (or via steps), which offers beautiful views over the town and mountains.

I took some photographs of the journey up the funicular and at the top where I could see the amazing views.

Once at the top, a rotunda tower offers excellent panaromic views.

We then explored the buildings, which includes a museum and prison. The museum information panels were in German, so we could not read them, but I believe that they document the findings in and around the castle grounds and Kufstein. Skeletons of bears are present, and there are also shards of flint and stone tools, ceramic, and pottery.

The tower on the top point was the former prison, and enemies of the Austria-Hungary empire were jailed here. It is now a restaurant and a museum with information about a variety of subjects, such as gruesome punishments and how the prisoners were kept. There were also a few articles on different types of crime and justice. Below is one of the prison rooms.

The other side of the building contained the cannon area, and excellent views could be seen around the castle. The theatre area could also be walked to and hosts a Christmas market during some of the days, but we did not walk here and the Christmas market was not open on the day that we visited.

After descending the castle, we headed toward the town square and passed the decorated Rathus (court house) and a beautiful church. 

Just off of the square is the road named Römerhofgasse, which is a medieval passage lined with buildings decorated with frescoes.

Kufstein is a lovely town worth passing through to spend a couple of hours checking out the castle and town. It also sounds like a lovely place to watch the opera, theatre, or music concert that are in session in the summer months.

Earlier this month, I visited Munich with my parents. They wanted to visit a Christmas market in Germany. I had already been to Nuremberg on a previous trip (covered here) and Rothenburg ob der Trabeur (covered here), so I made the booking reservations to visit Munich's Christmas market (with additional day trips that I will cover in later posts). Munich is the capitol of the Bavaria area in southern Germany, and the Christmas market has been here since the 14th century. The Christmas market was originally located along the river, but it moved to Marienplatz in 1972.

We got the train into Munich and got off at Marienplatz where we saw the Old Hall and clocktower before having a wander around.

The Rindermarkt is located a short walk away, and it specialises in food (fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meats, and cooked food and mulled wine) and items for the home, such as wreaths, floral arrangements, crafts, small firs, and mistletoe. I also saw a selection of items for tourists and a couple of wooden huts selling antique Christmas ornaments. 

We had a long look around the main Munich Christmas Market in Marienplatz, opposite the Rathaus. A large Christmas tree is located in the square here, and at certain times of the day, there is singing and an orchestra playing music here. We had a good look around the wooden huts while it was quiet as the market gets more crowded during the day, and the areas selling the mulled wine and food tend to get packed.

I did manage to find a treat; these coconut macarons (kokosmakronen) were one of the best coconut items that I have ever eaten. They were slightly crisp on the edge and gooey in the middle as they were served slightly warm. These are delicious, and if you like coconut, you have got to try these. These were located in Marienplatz at a kiosk selling chocolate, gingerbread, and other sweet treats.

Of course, watching the Munich Christmas Market come to life as the sky grew dark was wonderful. The lights and the Christmas tree in front of Rathaus came to life.

We also visited Munich on what was meant to be our last day in the city, but we got delayed due to a little bit of snow in London. We checked out the Christmas Market at Residenz. They have a special area for children here with various scenes from fairy tales and Christmas on display as well as a nativity scene.

Another area of the Christmas market in Munich is located on Neuhauser Strasse and is about a ten minute walk from Marienplatz. This Christmas market, known as Kripperlmarkt, features several wooden huts selling items for nativity scenes.

On the Sunday we visited (our last day), we saw a large group of the Krampus scaring people in the traditional 'Krampus Run'. The Krampus are men and boys dressed up in scary costume, and they look like a blend between goat, devil, and man. These are the Krampus, a tradition and myth of Germany and sidekick to Saint Nicholas. While the saint turned a blind eye to the naughty children, the Krampus demands authority and respect. The Krampus would kidnap naughty children and take them to the mountains. 

Overall, we had a good time in Munich, but the bad weather in London and cancelled flights and waiting around at airports for over twenty-four hours due to cancellations and delays meant that we were more than ready to get home and relax after a busy few days of sight-seeing.

It's now the time of year that London is all dressed up and ready for Christmas and the holiday season, so I have written my annual post with photographs of London looking festive in Christmas lights. This is an annual tradition that I have been documenting for the past several years, and you can find previous lights from previous years at the end of this post.

Oxford Street: This year, Oxford Street has decorated with their round gold and silver bauble decorations along with panels of Christmas cards. The Christmas lights are sponsored by NSPCC children's charity, which was also the charity for Oxford Street's Christmas lights last year.

Regent Street: This year, Regent Street are displaying the beautiful angel Christmas lights that they released in 2015. These are beautiful to look at.

Covent Garden: This year, the giant chrome reindeer returned to the plaza after several months of renovation work at Covent Garden. The reindeer and Lego creation are missing this year; the Lego may be missing due to the first full year of the new Lego store around the corner in Leicester Square. The giant Christmas tree and mistletoe decorations returned again, and this year there were several flowers and carts and crates decorated around the plaza in a throwback to the fruit and vegetable market heritage. There are also large wreaths above some of the entrances.

Of course, looking at the Christmas lights is hard work, and I helped myself to a hot chocolate from Hotel Chocolat in Covent Garden. They had two different festive flavours to choose from, topped with a chocolate snowflake and cream.

Leicester Square: Leicester Square has its own Christmas Market and performance tent for the second year in a row. It has star lights hanging from the trees, and the walls on the outside display children's drawings. The design matches last year. The road from here to Piccadilly Circus features the large snowflake design, which they have used for the past few years.

Seven Dials: Seven Dials have changed their Christmas lights for the second year in a row. This year, their lights feature heart shapes with greenery and wrapped red and white gifts with 'Seven Dials' signage featuring a heart with a lamb inside.

Carnaby Street: Each year, Carnaby Street create a different theme. This year's theme was Christmas Carnival. I already covered these lights in my post here: Carnaby Christmas Carnival.

Mayfair: The blue arch lights and the diamonds and peacock feather lights are the same as they have been the past several years. The shops also decorate in this area (and around west London).

St. Christopher's Place: The little alleyway off Oxford Street not far from Selfridges often has unique Christmas lights. This year, they have changed and gone for white lights featuring a statue similar to the one on their entrance and giant white orbs.

The Strand: The Strand started to decorate a few years ago; I never noticed any particular decorations before. They use the same blue lights that they have done previously.

Winter Wonderland Hyde Park: Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland gets larger every year, and it has taken up far more space this year, and it looks as though they have attempted to make the rows larger for the crowds and to dot the food, drink, and Christmas market around the area instead of in one place only. This is welcome as the crowds there were too large previously. There are also more attractions inside the area to help disperse the crowds. I've posted it here because it's Christmasy, and they do have lights and other decorations. It's worth a stop for some mulled wine on a cold night or to meet with friends.

Previous London Christmas lights are below:

• London's Christmas Lights 2016
• Christmas Lights and Windows 2015
• London Christmas Lights 2014
• London's Christmas Lights 2013
• London Christmas Lights and Window Displays 2012

At the beginning of the month, I went to Winchester in Hampshire, England. I used to live near here for a few years, so I know Winchester very well. At this time of the year, the Winchester Christmas Market is on for a few weeks. The last time that I went was a few years ago, and I covered it here. Not much has changed. This time, I visited it on a weekday to avoid the crowds. The Christmas market is very busy on weekends. Crafts, soap, clothing, toys, home decorations, Christmas decorations, alcohol, cheese, and food is available at the Christmas market. There is also an ice rink. The Christmas Market is located in the close around Winchester Cathedral.

After visiting the Christmas market, we walked toward Winchester High Street, admiring the views of the cathedral lit up behind us. And, I always stop to text a name to the light sculpture (Luminous Motion) to change the colour of the steel light pillar at the other end of the cathedral.

The High Street has a Christmas tree in the market square near the market cross.

Each year, the Winchester Christmas Market is usually on from the last week or two of November until a few days before Christmas.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a quick stop over at Edinburgh with my parents on a whirlwind trip to Scotland. We stayed in Edinburgh for one night and had just under twenty-four hours in the city. This was my third visit to Scotland, and I've only ever been to Scotland in November and December instead of the summer months. This is my second visit to Scotland during the Christmas season. My first visit during the Christmas season was for a couple of days, and it bucketed it down with rain; as a result, I didn't get to see much as the weather was that nasty. On this visit, I was blessed with nice  but cold weather. There was a little bit of rain and full cloud, but the rain did not last long. This article is for those who are looking for Christmas in Edinburgh.

The National Archives of Scotland building is located in the New Town area of the city, and it has a beautiful light projection onto the facade with an advent calendar countdown with the different eras in Edinburgh. The colours light up and change and display a video and audio tour.

The Christmas Market is also located in the New Town area of the city, and there are a couple of ice rinks. One is located at the top of Prices Street, and there is at least one more on George Street with a smaller Christmas market and ice sculptures. The main Christmas Market itself is located off Prices Street in the Prices Street Gardens, which is in a valley. The market is larger this year than in my previous visit, and there are fair rides, several places to eat and drink, and several wooden cabins selling gifts and other items. Many of these gifts were replicas of what I saw in London's Christmas Markets (Hyde Park Winter Wonderland).

New Town also had buildings decorated beautifully. 

During the day, the Christmas Markets and fairground rides could be seen next to Scott Monument.

I also had a walk along the Royal Mile, which is located in the old part of town. The church below is St. Giles Cathedral.

In front of St. Giles Cathedral is the Heart of Midlothian. This marked a prison entrance, and it is a custom to spit onto the heart if passing by.

Tron Kirk is another church/cathedral on the Royal Mile.

The Royal Mile is also known for its several alleyways that branch off of it. These led to closes and rows of houses. The closes are named after famous residents or what the street was known for (such as selling fish). Many of them are so small and narrow that they can be easily walked by and missed! There is one close that you can explore on a tour, and I will be posting about this at another time.

Have you ever visited Edinburgh during the Christmas season? My favourite tours in Edinburgh are to walk to the castle from the Royal Mile, tour King Mary's Close, visit the royal yacht Britannia (outside the centre of Edinburgh), and see the spot where the loyal dog Bobby lay. I'll be covering these activities in later posts in the coming days and weeks, so keep checking back. Let me also know what you recommend in Edinburgh.

This month's subscription beauty box Birchbox was delivered while I was stuck in Germany due to a little bit of snow in London, so I've only just gotten home and been able to see what I've received. This month, Birchbox and designer Matthew Williamson teamed up to create a box of lush brands. The box is designed with a very Christmasy Matthew Williamson print. Subscribers could chose between a LOC matte lipstick in 'Color Me Confident', which is a cranberry red shade, or Pixi shea butter lip balm in 'Natural Rose', which is a dark muted pink colour. 

Each month, subscribers receive five beauty and skincare items to try. These can be in a mix of sample sizes and full sizes. This month's products seem to be geared to harsh winter and Christmas.