Barcelona
Festive breaks don’t immediately scream `Barcelona!’ but for genuine seasonal history it’s hard to look past the city’s Fira de Santa Lucia Christmas Market. This has been a feature since the 18th Century and now boasts more than 300 stalls and a lifesized Nativity scene. It’s different from many of the markets across Europe at this time of year as it has its own look and feel rather than the Alpine style we have come to associate with Christmas markets. It also follows the curious Catalan tradition of selling the Caga Tio, a decorated log with a smiley face and jaunty barretina hat that is literally a gift `pooper’. If you need a conversation starter for your Christmas party - this would be it! Fly to: Barcelona with easyJet and Ryanair
Jersey
From December 4th, Jersey comes alive for La Fete de Noue - or Christmas Festival as it translates from Jersey Norman French - which features street theatre, a spectacular float parade, brilliant lights and more across the whole island.
This event is followed by a host of seasonal activity where you can discover local traditions from Christmases past on a guided walk, visit the parish church of St Peter to see more than 100 decorated Christmas trees or enjoy
music and decorations from the Regency period on a candlelight tour of a Georgian House brought to life by costumed actors. During December nearby Normandy is celebrated with Le Marchi Nourmand
offering a variety of French flavoured goodies including biscuits and saucisson dry cured sausage with the market setting up home in St Helier for four days from December 11th. Fly to: Jersey with easyJet ISSUE 5
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