Top 5 Holiday Experiences

Christmas is different in Europe...

I was surprised to learn how different Christmas is on this side of the pond. The whole continent seems to light up with holiday cheer.

Have you met St. Onix?

Cascais

We moved to Portugal on New Year’s Eve 2020 … so it was not until 2021 that we experienced our first Christmas. We thought the lights in Cascais were great. However, then we went to Lisbon.

Chiado, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Lisbon.

Lisbon

We returned to Lisbon in 2022. We took a tuk-tuk ride with friends so we could see all the holiday decorations.

Málaga

We also traveled to Málaga that year. We were told they hosted the most spectacular light display in Spain, and possibly Europe. We were not disappointed. Lights, synchronized with holiday music, were on the boulevard and even on the side of a church.

A children’s fantasy plays out on the side of a church.

A Christmas Market River Cruise

We loved the Christmas Markets we had experienced along the way. In 2023, we decided to take a Christmas Market River Cruise.

We visited Belgium, Austria, and Germany.

There’s No Place Like Home

But we decided we liked the little Christmas market in our small town more. And it turns out (after extensive testing) that it also has the best hot, mulled wine as well.

Yes, it even snowed in Vila Real de Santo António. Photo courtesy of Betsy O’Hara

One final note…the Presípios (nativity scenes) are not to be believed. Below, on the left, the largest can be found in Vila Real de Santo Antonio. The second is in the nearby Salt Museum. Also, in Castro Marim, one which is crocheted by a single woman.

VRSA Cultural Center, CM Salt Museum, and CM mercado.

Wherever you are … we wish you comfort and joy!

Boas festas, feliz natal da Nancy e da Denise