The season of goodwill to all men is upon us and although the religious background to Christmas may be the same the world over, the way it’s celebrated certainly isn’t. Staying in properties abroad is a great way to experience the local culture and see the festive season in a different way.
Experience a larger-than-life Christmas in USA property
When it comes to Christmas, no one does it bigger or better than the Americans and when you stay in a USA property, you will see why. Of course, it’s almost mandatory for every property in the USA to be decked out with festive lights and decorations and you may wish to join in with this custom.
If not, you’re sure to enjoy walking around the neighbourhood your American property is in to see all the houses lit up with festive cheer in the run up to December 25th. You will also find that many of the colder parts of the country have ice rinks where you can enjoy skating around during the holidays.
Of course, in many ways Christmas in America is much as it is in England and other parts of Europe but due to the diverse mix of cultures in the country, you’re bound to find something a little bit different wherever your property in the USA is located.
And if you are lucky enough to have access to property in New York then you will have the chance to see some of the city’s best-known landmarks decorated for the holidays. The Rockefeller Centre, Central Park and of course the department stores of Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Bloomingdales are among the places that you will find Christmas in all its glory.
Swap snow for sunshine when you stay in properties in Australia
If you want to escape the cold of the British Isles at Christmas time then you should head to the southern hemisphere and staying in a property in Australia could be the way to go. Rather than sitting down to a traditional dinner of turkey with all the trimmings, residents here prefer to hit the beach for a barbeque.
Meanwhile, if you have a property in Sydney then you may decide to join the crowds and head to Bondi Beach where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the festive atmosphere – and of course have a traditional Aussie barbeque.
One of the main festive events around the country is a series of concerts on Christmas Eve entitled Carols by Candlelight. Anyone staying in property in Melbourne or Sydney will have the opportunity to attend one of these performances, which are usually televised to other areas of the country.
However, many towns and cities all over Australia hold their own Carols by Candlelight events, so it’s worth checking what’s going on in the area surrounding your Australian property if you want to get yourself in the festive mood.
Visit properties in Spain for a family Christmas
In Spain, you will find that religion and family are the most important aspects of the festive celebrations, so it’s a great place to go if you enjoy spending this time of year with your loved ones. While staying in Spanish property, you will notice that the churches are always full as everyone attends mass and other services throughout the period.
The timetable for Christmas is a little different in Spain than in England, with the most important day of festivities December 24th. In the evening, the whole family will gather together in their property in Spain for a big meal – usually comprised of seafood and followed by a range of traditional sweet dishes.
Small presents are usually exchanged at this point in the evening, although the main day for giving gifts is January 6th, known as the Feast of the Epiphany. Anyone who stays in property in Spain into the new year will be able to experience this holiday too, when the three kings are said to visit children and leave them presents.
The highlight is undoubtedly the Three Kings Parade, which will take place in most Spanish towns the day before (January 5th) and sees colourful floats and people in costume dance their way along the streets. People staying in property in Madrid or Barcelona will be well placed to experience some of the most impressive celebrations.