Are you a Christmas connoisseur or a New Year know-it-all? Why not test your elf-like skills this Christmas and indulge in a little festive trivia to impress at the dinner table…
1. Did you know that the very first Christmas market took place all the way back in 1298?
Vienna is the place where the December market first saw the light. Little did they know that the European Christmas Markets would become a tradition that is still going strong centuries later.
2. Austrians pull out all the stops when it comes to celebrating New Year.
At the stroke of midnight all church bells throughout Austria ring and in major cities people see in the New Year by dancing in the streets to the tune of the famous Blue Danube Waltz.
3. Delicious warm Glühwein is ever present at the European Christmas markets.
It is made using red wine, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and lemon or orange zest. And did you know you can keep the mug as a souvenir?!
4. Turkeys are safe in Germany at Christmastime!
A roast goose is the traditional dish served and is often filled with apples, dates, chestnuts, onions, and/or prunes. It is also common to stuff the goose with a meat or dough filling.
5. In Italy Christmas gifts are not exchanged until the day of Epiphany on January 6th!
Children hang up their stockings, so that ‘la befana’, an old lady, can bring them presents and her arrival is celebrated by eating traditional sweet Christmas cake known as panettone.
For a fun-filled festive experience try one of our Christmas Market or Festive Breaks. We have a superb collection of fully escorted tours and short breaks to choose from. Visit www.leger.co.uk