DooTravel

As a travel agent I often deal with clients who are on a tight schedule. When it comes to international travel most people will plan to visit several places during a single trip. I totally get it! The airlines are raising their rates daily (this might be an exaggeration... sort of) so the idea of visiting multiple locations makes perfect sense.

The question I encounter most often is "what are the must sees in this city or country?" People want to see as much as they can in the time they have without getting completely run down. My husband and I operate on this same idea.

Today I want to cover the basic must sees for London. Keep in mind that there are a million things to do in the city so I am just highlighting some of my favorites.

1. Big Ben and Parliament

Almost everyone would recognize these places in photos. Big Ben is great as a simple photo stop. Parliament is a different story. Yes it makes for a great photo stop but a tour of the Houses of Parliament can prove to be a great experience if you have the time.

4. Westminster Abbey

Yes, you have to pay to get in but honestly it is SO worth it! It oozes history and beauty. This is one of my favorite places in London.

3. Thames River Cruise and The Tower Bridge

Cruising the Thames allows you to see London from a different vantage point. This cruise also allows for some great photos of the city and the Tower Bridge. Most people think that this is called the London Bridge but it is not.

4. The Tower of London

Although the Tower has dark history you will also find the history of the royals, an armory and a fortress behind its walls. You can also view the crown jewels and join a Beefeater tour where you will be told stories of bloody battles and the Tower's ravens.

5. The London Eye

So it's a giant ferris wheel BUT it offers amazing views of the city on clear days. If you find yourself in need of a break from all of the walking and want to take in some beautiful views hop on the Eye for a 30 minute ride.

6. Buckingham Palace and the Horse Guards

Both are must sees and both can easily be photo stops. If tours of the Palace are offered while you are in London then take the time to experience all that Buckingham has to offer.

7. Museums, Museums, Museums

London has amazing museums and they are FREE! Depending on your interests I'd suggest the Churchill Museum, The British Museum, The Museum of London, Tate Britian, Ect

8. Hampton Court Palace

If time allows and you need a break from the city take the 20 minute train ride to Hampton Court Palace. Once lived in by Henry VII, it now houses wonderful exhibits and is worth several hours of your time.

Beyond my list if you want a quick overview of the city opt for a double decker bus tour and don't forget to drop in to Harrods.

Happy Travels!

With Christmas only days away I thought we’d look at Christmas traditions from some of my favorite countries.

Austria

The feast of St Nicholas marks the beginning of Christmas in Austria. The saint accompanied by the devil asks children for a list of their good and bad deeds. Good children are given sweets, toys and nuts. Gifts that are placed under the tree are opened after dinner on Christmas Eve.

December 6 in Austria is when Heiliger Nikolaus or St. Nicholas, rewards good children with sweets, nuts and apples.

On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family sings Christmas carols and wishes each other.

In Austria baked carp is served for the traditional Christmas dinner.

FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!

Atlantic Canada

Christmas celebrations are quite similar in the variety to America.

In Canada the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.

In Labrador, turnips are saved from the summer harvest and are given to children, with a lighted candle pushed into a hollowed out hole.

In Nova Scotia, a country settled by Scottish highlanders, songs and carols brought from Britain two centuries ago are sung each Christmas morning.

Also in Nova Scotia, during the twelve days of Christmas small groups of belsnicklers, or masked mummers, appear in neighborhoods, ringing bells, making noise, seeking candy or other treats. The hosts may try to guess who the mummers are and if they guess right the mummer removes his or her disguise and stops making rude noises and actions. Children may be quizzed by the mummers on their behavior if they say they have been good they are rewarded with candy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Great Britain

In Great Britain the hustle and bustle of the season begins well before Christmas and there is barely anytime for a break until the Twelfth night. There is preparation going on of foods, the sending of Christmas cards, the decorating of houses and churches, and the readying of gifts keep everyone busy.

On Christmas Eve youngsters hang up their stockings on the ends of the beds or by the chimney so that when Father Christmas comes he can leave them something.

On Christmas morning the family traditionally opens their presents and prepares for a big feast which typically is served just after midday. The table gleams with the best china and glassware, and at every place on the table there is a cracker. The meal begins with a toast, followed by the popping of the crackers. After the meal they sit down in front of the Television for the traditional Christmas speech of the British Monarch.

In Britain, children write their letters to Father Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. If the lists catch fire first, they have to rewrite them.

At Christmas dinner, a plum pudding is served with little treasures hidden inside that bring their finders good luck. Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Germany

Christmas preparations often begin before December 1st. People set aside special evenings for baking spiced cakes and cookies, and making gifts and decorations. Gingerbread houses and German pastry Christmas trees called Christbaumgeback are made.

December 6 is Nikolaustag, St. Claus day, you leave out a shoe or boot outside the door Dec.5 and the next morning you find presents (if you were a good kid) or a rod (if you were bad)

In parts of Germany, people believe that the Christ Child sends a messenger in Christmas Eve. He appears as an angel in a white robe and crown, bearing gifts. The angel is called Christkind. Children leave letters on their windowsills for Christkind who then distributes gifts. There is also a Christmas Eve figure calledWeihnachtsmann or Christmas Man, he looks like Santa Claus and also brings gifts.

Some homes in Germany have several Christmas trees, and in all towns across Germany, they can be seen glittering and glowing.

FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!

Ireland

Christmas in Ireland lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which is referred to as Little Christmas. Ireland's Christmas is more religious than a time of fun.

Lighted candles are placed in windows on Christmas Eve, as a guide that Joseph and Mary might be looking for shelter.

Irish women bake a seed cake for each person in the house. They also make three puddings, one for each day of the Epiphany such as Christmas, New Year's Day and the Twelfth Night.

It is tradition to leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness out as a snack for Santa and children often put out Christmas sacks instead of stockings.

After the Christmas evening meal, bread and milk are left out and the door unlatched as a symbol of hospitality.

NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT!

Japan

Only 1 per cent of Japanese people believe in Christ. Even so, most Japanese people decorate their stores and homes with evergreens during Christmas.

They enjoy giving each other gifts, and this is the part they celebrate.

They have a Buddhist monk called Hotei-osho who acts like Santa Claus. He brings presents to each house and leaves them for the children. Some think he has eyes in the back of his head, so children try to behave like he is nearby.

Among the Christian Japanese Christmas is not a day for the family. They do not have turkey or plum pudding, rather than that the day is spent doing nice things for others especially those who are sick in hospitals.

MERIKURISUMASU!

Russia

In Russia the religious festival of Christmas is being replaced by the Festival of Winter but there are some traditions that are still kept up in some parts of the country.

In the traditional Russian Christmas special prayers are said and people fast until Christmas Eve, when the first evening star in appears in the sky. Then begins a twelve course supper in honor of each of the twelve apostles - fish, beet soup or Borsch, cabbage stuffed with millet, cooked dried fruit and much more.

Babushka is a traditional Christmas figure who distributes presents to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that she declined to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold weather. However, she regretted not going and set off to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits each house, leaving toys for good children.

On Christmas Day, hymns and carols are sung. People gather in churches which have been decorated with the usual Christmas trees or Yelka, flowers and colored lights.

Christmas dinner includes a variety of different meats - goose and suckling pig are favorites.

SCHASTLIVOGO ROZHDESTVA!