Feel more like Ho Hum? Ho hum?
Then you might want to think about exploring the Baltic region of Europe. I just spend two days in Tallinn, Estonia, immersing myself in Christmas spirit. I am now brimming with HO HO HO! (but that may be the mulled hot wine speaking)
Winter and Christmas can be a time of year that is particularly hard for many solo travelers and getting away is kind of a gift to ourselves. We deserve it! But while sea and sand is great for relaxing, pink plastic flamingos wrapped in holiday lights don’t exactly scream Christmas cheer (but that is only my personal opinion, so feel free to mutter “Bah Humbug” into your red and green umbrella’d drink)
This winter I decided to set up a home base in Helsinki and then go to at least one Christmas Market each week. Luckily I had one winter specific outfit in my pack and had bought a knock off North Face jacket in Vietnam. – enough to tide me over when I could get out and buy fleece line tights and thick socks. This was after I went into sticker shock and wishing that I had paid for an extra bag on my flights from Danang Vietnam to Helsinki. ( Vietnam is $ – Europe is $$$$)
Now before you think I am a complete idiot, I did mail a box with winter boots and other essentials to Finland before leaving Canada. It arrived soaking wet and everything covered in white. And I do not mean snow flakes. Google translate and I managed to get some laundry done – in a room that had to be accessed from the outside, in the snow, in flip flops, in a machine that only understood Finnish.
If traveling is not on your radar this holiday season, then check out Christmas Markets in your hometown. Take a day trip to a neighboring city. Or a local ski hill. Plan a weekend getaway. Go say hello to Santa in the mall. It doesn’t matter how, but go get your ho ho ho in!
Stay tuned! More on the Christmas Market tours to come!
Safe travels to you all!