December thru March

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Paris, France

Every winter, a large ice-rink is created outside the Hôtel de Ville to delight Parisians and tourists alike. Skating is the perfect way to stir up some festive spirit and it is FREE.

The building itself is a notable landmark, acting as the seat for the Mayor of Paris. In the immediate area you will find safe diverse districts: the beautiful Place des Vosges, the Marais and the Jewish quarter round the Rue des Rosiers are all within walking distance.

Grand Paradiso National Park, Italy
Walking hut to hut while viewing magnificent mountains and an abundance of wildlife is one of the quintessential European outdoor experiences. About 1.5 hours from airports in Milan or Geneva, Grand Paradiso was Europe's first National Park, and was originally the private hunting reserve of the ruling House of Savoy. In 1856 King Vittorio Emmanuel II declared part of the hunting grounds as a protected area—primarily to help save the indigenous ibex. About 3,000 of these powerful mountain goats now live in the park, along with ermine, weasel, Eurasian badger, alpine chamois, and more than 100 bird species. There are about 450 miles of trails lined with family-friendly huts. Today the park covers 173,000 acres of mountains, lakes, forests, and meadows, and butts up against France's 200-square-mile Vanoise National Park.

Villa Borghese Park, Rome
This 148-acre park is the second largest in Rome, and one of the few green spaces easily accessible from the city center. Filled with statues and fountains, the park also includes a merry-go-round, a mini train, a zoo, a puppet theatre, and a small lake with swans and boats.

Lake District in England - At the World of Beatrix Potter, enter into the imagination of the stories and characters. After a short movie about Beatrix Potter and her creations, including the inspiration for the drawings from which her stories began, you follow an indoor trail of scenes and life-sized figures of the animal characters of the Beatrix Potter books, allowing kids a journey through Mr. McGregor’s Garden, Mrs. Tiggywinkle’s Kitchen and Jemima Puddleduck’s streamland woods. The exhibits also include an interactive virtual walk through the "Miss Potter" movie scenes and the Lake District. Have a cup of tea in the Tailor of Glouster Tea Room, buy some collectibles in the shop, then head out into the real land of Beatrix Potter, the Lake District.

Austria in 2009

Linz, Austria - European Capital of Culture 2009
No other Austrian city has changed as dramatically as Linz has in recent decades. What's emerged is a modern urban centre with a flourishing economy, a city where the quality of life is exceptional. In 2009, a trip to Linz will be especially rewarding because the city on the Danube will be serving as European Capital of Culture and showing off what makes this such a special place.

Spain in January

Tamborrada de San Sebastian/The San Sebastian Drum Festival.
January 19-20, 2009. San Sebastian, Basque Country.  A march to the deafening sounds of drums, as groups of drummers parade through the city on the night of the first day of the year. The next morning, the "Tamborrada Infantil" (Child Drummer's Ceremony) is celebrated. That night, they celebrate the patron Saint of the city.

Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos - Three Kings Festival - Jan 5, 2009 - Magala  The Three Kings of the Orient arrive in the city and are paraded through the main streets on huge decorated floats throwing sweets and small toys to the excited children.

Reyes Magos/Epiphany - January.  All over Spain
Celebrations take two fundamental forms: the play of the three Magi, and a mounted procession. Plays are currently staged specially in Aledo and Churra in Murcia and Canada (Alicante), Sanguesa (Navarra), Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) or Viso de los Pedroches (Cordoba)

Fiestas de San Antonio Abad
January Mallorca, Balearic Islands.
On the eve and actual day of this Saint, there are "foguerons" (bonfires) in many parts of Mallorca, with "demons" dancing round. Other activities include a greased-pole contest.

Carnival, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria - Jan - Feb, 2009
El Olimpio. Greek mythological theme to this year's carnival.

Carnival, Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Jan - Feb, 2009
Another excuse to celebrate! Don't miss the largest carnival in Tenerife with street bands, processions and amazing costumes.

Carnival, Cádiz - Jan 31-Feb 10, 2009
Cádiz becomes one big street party when thousands of people take to the streets on both weekends wearing themed costumes making fun of Spanish celebrities, politicians and current events.

UK in January

Homecoming Scotland 2009 will celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world with a year-long, country-wide programme of exciting and inspirational events and activities.

The festivities will kick off on January 25th, the 250th birthday of one of Scotland's most famous sons, our national poet, Robert Burns and until St Andrew's Day (November 30th) you'll be spoilt for choice with a fantastic array of things to see and do.  Calendar.

London Theatre