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Hotel Maria Cristina

Where to Eat on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in San Sebastian

Make your winter holidays unforgettable with these options for delicious Christmas Day and Christmas Eve dinners in San Sebastian. The town slows down during the Christmas holidays when local shops and restaurants close up and donostiarras get ready to spend the holidays with their families. But no worries––there are still plenty of excellent restaurants for […]

nativity scene presepio portuguese

A Guide to The Most Delicious Portuguese Christmas Foods & Desserts

Portugal might not be the most Christmassy country, but what it lacks in wintery weather, it makes up for in colorful street decorations and delicious Portuguese Christmas foods.  You know Christmas is around the corner when the local cafés change their sweets display. Suddenly, the whole counter is full of Christmas cakes and fried-dough pastries […]

assorted plush toys at Christmas market stand

The 6 Best Christmas Markets in Paris You Should Visit This Winter

A tradition that originated in France’s Alsace region to the east of Paris in the 16th century, Christmas markets have grown in popularity in recent years. Each year, France’s dozens of markets—with their quaint wooden stalls, flowing mulled wine and overpriced nativity scene figurines—bring in an estimated 27 million visitors, including two million at the […]

Convent Garden hosts one of the best Christmas markets in San Sebastian for holiday decor and mementos, like ornaments

A Complete Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in San Sebastian

At Christmas time, San Sebastian turns into a fairytale land full of beautiful lights and magical Christmas markets. If you’re planning a trip to this northern Basque city around Christmastime, you can’t avoid the contagious holiday atmosphere that takes over the town in December. San Sebastian is known for the many local Christmas markets where […]

The best Christmas markets in Lisbon bring all the classic holiday cheer despite the warmer-than-usual weather.

Get in the Holiday Spirit at the 5 Best Christmas Markets in Lisbon

Want to avoid the cold, gray winters of other holiday destinations? Portugal presents the perfect alternative, with warmer weather and all kinds of festive attractions. Here’s where to find the best Christmas markets in Lisbon! Lisbon is known for its colorful buildings, sunny skies and proximity to the sea, painting a picture of the ideal […]

Winter in Madrid is magical. Just look at those holiday lights!

Madrid In Winter: Best Things to Do In The Spanish Capital

Forget the mental image you may have of warm, summer days in Spain—it’s time to embrace the holiday spirit and winter festivities! Yes, you’ll need a winter coat, but no worries—temperatures here are quite mild compared to northern Europe, and there’s still plenty of sunshine. Plus, December through March is tourist low season, meaning you’ll […]

If you'll be in Barcelona in December, keep your eyes open for unique Catalan Christmas decorations at the holiday markets!

Five Alternative Christmas Markets in Barcelona

This blog post was originally posted on December 11, 2014 and was updated on October 16, 2018. With tasty seasonal treats, beautiful handcrafted goods and a sense of holiday spirit permeating the air, it’s hard not to love Christmas markets. As Spain’s second-largest city and one of Europe’s most popular destinations, Barcelona itself has several […]