In winter, Europe is filled with holiday atmosphere. This is an ideal time for romantic getaway and family vacation due to the fact that there are lots of interesting spots to visit and enjoy active holidays.
Traditionally, the period of timing between November and January is announced to be best time for having long walks and experiencing the holiday spirit. Some of the beautiful and historic places, surroundings of the museums, castles and squares of many cities start to offer something amazing- scenic skating rinks. These enchanting places are being decorated with hundreds of colored lights and garlands, where you can have fun, paint on ice with elegant loops, and dance to the fiery rhythms of the music.
Ice rink – a place where you can enjoy the atmosphere of winter holidays with family and friends. In addition, it is a good way to keep warm in cool weather. Well, if skating is not your calling, you can always sit in the nearest cafe, drinking hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine and taste a sweet slice of Christmas cake. At the same time you can have the pleasure for laughing out loud at those who are falling down while making their first steps on the ice.
Paris
From 18 December 2010 till March 7, 2011 Parisians and tourists can have a good time and skate around one of the main attractions of the capital – the Paris City Hall Square close to the Hotel de Ville. Once this area was called Grev and was the site of public executions. Today – it is a grand pedestrian zone with a stone tiling. And this place is ideal both in summer time while having a carousel and a skating-rink in winter. The rink is free in case if you have your skates, while renting skates here will cost you 5 euros.
In addition to this Paris has another cool surprise for its visitors. Since December 15, 2010 to February 9, 2011 Visitors to the Eiffel Tower will be able to ride on the horses at a height of 57 meters. Visiting the rink is included in the entrance fee to the tower. Here you will be prohibited to bring your own skates but anyways the price for the rental is not that high.
Berlin
From 22 November to 26 December 2010 in the centre of one of the oldest and most beautiful city of fountains you’ll have something to be astonished with. The fountain of Neptune will turn into stretched expanse of ice with an area of 600 square meters.
This symbol of Berlin’s Christmas celebrations will be seen from afar. Next to it Ferris wheel will be working, at a height o which you can see the Potsdamer Platz, the Brandenburg Gate, the TV tower and other landmarks of Berlin.
Vienna
From 19 January to 4 March 2011 the square in front of City Hall will be at the mercy of winter fun. Festive ice rink will be the main ornament of all, taking approximately 4,5 thousand square meters. In addition, everyone can ride together on a festively decorated ice tracks of Rathausparka. And the lovers of outdoor activities can try their best at any of six special rinks in the new Olympic sport – curling.
Day of Admission will be 02.05 euros in the evening – 5 euros. Skate rental will cost you some extra fee.
Brussels
From November 26, 2010 till January 2, 2011 one of the oldest areas of Brussels – Marche aux Poissons becomes the center of the Christmas festivities and a symbol of this winter. Here, in the former Fish Market there will be a huge ice rink placed, where you cannot just go to yourself, but look at the ice show done with professionals while enjoying a cup of chocolate.
Children’s tickets cost only 4 euros per hour, for adults – € 6 per hour.
London
This city is the leader in the number of the most beautiful Christmas rolls. From 5 November 2010 to January 9, 2011 Lawn London Natural History Museum will be a temporary ice rink with an area of 1050 square meters. The building itself is a museum, built in 1881, it is recognized to be one of the architectural masterpieces of the UK. For children there is a special small rink, which is separated from the main ice bridge.
Children’s tickets cost 8.50 pounds (about 10 euros), as for the adult – 13 GBP (15 Euros).
But this is not the only ice rink in the London. From 23 November 2010 to January 23, 2011 there will be another rink in the capital’s museum-palace complex at Somerset House. And from 20 November 2010 to January 9, 2011 there will be a mini ice rink around the historic fortress of the Tower of London.
In addition, rollers promise to fill the walls of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich, at Windsor Castle, as well as the business district of Canary Wharf.
