It is known that Christmas in Russia and Europe is celebrated in different datesDespite the single calendar and summer. In Russia, the holiday is celebrated on January 7, in Europe - December 25th. What caused such discrepancy?

Sources

In ancient Rome on March 1, it was marked by the beginning of the year, however, when Guy Julius Caesar modified the calendar, the point of reference of the new years became the shortest day of the year - December 22.

It is well known that the Romans read the pantheon of the gods, where day winter Solstice He was a symbol of the victory of Saturn (approx. God of land and crops) over the winter.

At the beginning of the 4th century. The Christian Church took the top of the territory of Rome and an objectionable holiday with pagan roots It was accepted to abolish. So, the holiday Saturn was replaced in the 10th century. The date of birth of Christ.

The difference of church christies

To date, the difference in Christmas dates can be explained by the fact that orthodox Church Focusing the calendar introduced by Julia Caesar, and Catholic - to the Gregorian.

Russia at the beginning of the 20th century introduced a calendar to everyday, accepted by the Western World, however church tradition remained unchanged.

Basic facts

• Both calendar have the same number of days;
• The leap year comes in both calendars through different segments of time;
• According to Julian calendar, the leap year comes every three years, while in the Gregorian - every four years.

So, the difference in celebration of Christmas dates can be explained by purely historical reasons. In the course of the development of civilizations, their decline and the formation of new customs, the new faith, and the number of holidays of the Christmas of the Nativity of Christ is shifted to the new faith.

Due to the above reasons, the West Catholic World meets it on December 24, and the Orthodox Church is January 7.

In Europe, Christmas holidays occur earlier than in Russia, because Catholic Christmas is celebrated on December 25th. Russians are increasingly sent abroad to make it interesting to spend this holiday and plunge into advance in advance good New Year spirit.

BO BCEX GOPDAX EVPs PPOXOFOFOFO Odinta.

The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was accepted on the third universal church cathedral in the V century. Since then, the December holiday period and the Christmas itself - the most cheerful and turmoil time in the year.

Almost all European cities begin to work Christmas fairs and markets, houses and shops are decorated with special scenery: highlighted garlands, dressed trees and white fluffy snow.

Already closer to Merry Christmas in Europe, children are starting to walk with a collage - festive songs and say good wishes Family. And in response get gifts: fried chestnuts, gingerbread and sweets.

It is not easy to choose where exactly go for christmas and New Year - 2019. And this is not surprising, after all, the new year is a fabulous time, and even if you do not believe in Santa Claus since childhood, with the onset of December 31, something freezes inside on the eve of the miracle. If you are a romantic and pre-holiday, you inspire you, we advise you to celebrate the New Year in Europe - in the atmosphere of antiquity and magic.

Most popular destinations in Europe for Christmas holidays 2018-2019

If you are planning to spend New Year's holidays in Europe, then you need to decide in advance with what kind of country you would like to visit and what exactly to see. The fact is that there are different traditions everywhere. For example, Spaniards and Italians accustomed to celebrate the New Year with a scope, the French is closer to the romance, and the Finns believe that there is nothing better than warm home furnishings.

If you want to spend a new year, holidays and catholic christmas in Europe, we advise you to fly out 22, 23 or 24 December, and return back in the first days of January. Book everything a few months before the trip.

With regard to statistical data, most of our compatriots planning to meet New Year 2019 in Europe, noted that they would like to visit:

• Czech Republic;
• Italy;
• France;
• Germany;
• Switzerland;
• Turkey.

Rest abroad is the ability to create a romantic atmosphere for a loved one. Tours for two Christmas to Europe - the magic of vintage cities and a fabulous architecture in the festive decoration. When you are in Prague or Germany, you are immersed in the magical atmosphere of Christmas, drinking mulled wine or coffee and watching decorated with old streets. Probably, many in childhood had a dream to see the Christmas atmosphere and Santa Claus?

Finland - Helsinki and Lapland

Where to celebrate the New Year - 2019 and Christmas in Europe, how is not the homeland of Santa Claus? At the end of December, on Frosno Street, to -15 ° C, the snow drops a lot. In Finland, go for solitude and winter fairy tale. Rent a cottage and dedicate the New Year holidays to an active holiday - skiing and snowmobiles, for example. Admire the Northern Light, learn local cuisine and visit the Julupukka residence in Lapland.

Tours from Moscow for 4-5 nights stand from 65 thousand rubles.

Tickets from Moscow to Helsinki and back from 11 thousand rubles. Petersburgers can drive by train or bus.

Hotels. Cheap hotels from 40 € for two in the center of Helsinki (hotels 3 * - from 85 euros), rental cottage in Rovaniemi - from 130 €. Dinner in the restaurant - about 50 € per person.

Czech Republic, Prague

Czech Republic is another country in Europe where to meet the New Year - 2019 can be nice. In Prague, the main Christmas tree is installed in Prague in the Old Town Silent. Fair, tourists and local walk are walking, eating fried in spices almonds, delicious charms and drink Mulled wine and Medovina.
Weather in Prague at the end of December good: a day can be slightly higher than 0 ° C, at night - up to -5 ° C. Snow cover is not always.

Tours to Prague for 7 nights for the New Year can be purchased from only 65 thousand rubles.

Flights. Flight on New Year's holidays from Moscow to Prague and back costs from 16 thousand rubles.

Hotels. Remove the hotel room for two in the center - from 90 € per night and above. New Year's dinner in the restaurant will cost 100-170 € per person.

Germany - Berlin and Munich

The best new year in Europe, in our opinion, in Germany. Want to plunge into a real christmas fairy tale? We advise you to go to Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg or other cities. Visit the fun fairs with all the gastronomic attributes of Christmas and New Year: caramel apples, gingerbread beds and hearts, lvins and fragrant hot mulled wine. Weather at this time of the year in Germany usually costs pleasant, from 0 to -4 ° C, the snow is not always falling.

Tours on 4 nights are from 60 thousand rubles for two.

Flights. Flight Moscow - Berlin and back costs from 16 thousand rubles (direct flights), to Munich - about the same.

Hotels in the center of Berlin - from 120 € per night for two. New Year's dinner in the restaurant costs about 100-200 € per person.

Even with a small budget you can meet a winter holiday on warm shores.

Up to 70 thousand rubles for two. This is the minimum budget with which, planning, where to go for the new year, you can count on the beach. And there is a very interesting option - Jordan, Aqaba resort on the Red Sea. Week of rest for two at the hotel 3 stars with breakfasts and flights flight of Nordwind from 70-72 thousand rubles. In addition to swimming in the sea red, you can go to the Dead Sea, in the castles of the Crusaders and the ancient city of Peter in pink cliffs.

Cheaper - Tunisia. This year, the tour operators extended charters to the North African country for the entire winter. But then swimming only in the pools, the Mediterranean Sea is already cold. But there will be sun and thalassotherapy. The price of the question - from 55 thousand rubles for two weeks in a three-star hotel, with a nutrition "all inclusive", in four stars - from 65 thousand. This is a flight.

How many New Year holidays in different countries

January 1, the new year is celebrated in the countries living in the Gregorian calendar, and this is most countries of the world. But not everyone gives this holiday such a sacred value as Russians. We love the new year and love him to celebrate, so we do it as much as 10 days. And how many days is New Year's and Christmas holidays in other countries?

CHINA

In China, the New Year is celebrated in the first new moon after January 21 and this date changes every year. New Year in eastern calendar comes between January 21 and February 21. At this time, the moon completes the full cycle, the new moon and the new year comes. In addition to China, this order adhere to Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Mongolia, Malaysia. The government highlights the Chinese 3 days off.

GERMANY

In Germany, as almost throughout Europe, Christmas is greater than the new year, therefore the Germans rest 24, 25 and 26 December. January 31 - a shortened working day, January 1 - a day off, and on January 2, the Germans go to work.

USA

In the United States, the working population is resting only on December 25 and 26 for Christmas. The duration of the New Year holidays depends on the state and from the enterprise, mainly the population is resting only on January 1. But in many states, the system of accumulation of rations, which Americans are just taken to New Year's holidays.

Dominican Republic

In the hot Dominican, the Christmas and New Year holidays also celebrate. On December 24, the workers have a condensed day, 25 - day off. On December 31, it is necessary to work until noon, and 1 and 6 January legally rest. Sometimes weekend is transferred from the sixth to fourth January to make a long weekend.

Belorussia

There is no New Year's holiday in the neighboring Russia of Belarus. Red in the calendar marked only on January 1 and 7 - New Year and an Orthodox xmas.

UKRAINE

Ukrainians celebrate the New Year from January 1 to January 3, and the 4th comes to work. From 7 to 10 January, our neighbors receive a weekend on the occasion of Christmas.

KAZAKHSTAN

In Kazakhstan, rest also for long, 1.2 and 7 January, except when holidays fall out for the weekend, like this year. Then the schedule of the weekend shifts and they are obtained more.

Residents of all European countries are preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year holidays today, December 25, 2018. On this day, exactly a week before the new year, Europeans celebrate Catholic Christmas.

Christmas traditions of inhabitants of Europe will differ from the country to the country

Catholic Christmas, which Europeans celebrate on the night of December 24-25, is considered the main religious holiday. On Christmas Eve, December 24, in all European countries there are celebrations in the home environment: on this day there are no shops, shopping centers, many cafes, restaurants and other entertainment facilities. Christmas is traditionally believed family holidayto be celebrated in the family circle.

Despite the unity in the views on family values, Traditions Celebration catholic Christmas in different countries Europe is somewhat different. Speed \u200b\u200bB. national costumes Spaniards celebrate Christmas Day on the streets, and in the evening they gather in a family circle. In the UK, people spend all day among loved ones, exchanging memories and preparing a traditional turkey or goose. And the Italians get rid of unnecessary things in the house on the day of the holiday - only throwing everything unnecessary, they sit down at the table.

Christmas holidays are considered the main winter holiday in Europe

Winter holidays Europeans usually last until 2 or 3 January. Unlike Slavic peoples and admirers orthodox traditions, Catholic Europe does not celebrate the new year with a big sweep. On January 1, you can easily find open shops, institutions and entertainment places. More than half of European citizens go to work on the first day of the New Year, as if nothing had happened. Some countries, for example, Hungary, are not officially satisfied with even festive fireworks - only lonely admirers of this holiday launch their own salutes into the sky.

Christmas and New Year fairs - the main business card of all European capitals in the period winter holidays. Often they are arranged on the main squares of the city - in places of the largest cluster of local residents and tourists. During the holidays in these cozy wooden houses you can buy souvenirs new Year's topics, try on national clothes, taste traditional dishes and drinks, and also take pictures from the tree. It is noteworthy that any European country - from France to Slovakia - is not inferior to each other in the beauty and variety of fairs, so even in the smallest capital you can feel in a whole spirit of the main holiday of Europe.

Christmas in Europe is considered the main holiday of the year. In almost all countries, it is beginning to be prepared for a month, and these preparations pass very brightly, very noisy and very colorful - with fairs, music, speeches, original national traditions and dishes.

On the Christmas Eve, people are going to a narrow family circle, at home, with the most close people.

Where to go for christmas in Europe?

Christmas celebrating Catholic Europe amazes with its magnificence. Christmas trees and street illumination, fairs and costume processions, gingerbread towns and chants - all this long before the holiday makes it clear that he is approaching.

Europeans Christmas is celebrated in a family circle, it makes sense to go there on this day.

What date is it better to go to Europe for christmas? Since the evening from December 24-25, all people spend at home, with families, the city die out and tourists there almost nothing to do. Therefore, the visit is better to go days ten to the holiday, in the tenths of December.

So you will probably get a lot of pleasure from the trip and well rest, admiring the houses and shops iridescent, choosing souvenirs and enjoying delicious food and hot wine.

Will you certainly stop in the capital's hotels in order to fully feel the Christmas Spirit? Not at all - the holiday is celebrated in small towns. In the provinces, too, there are beautiful cathedrals, town halls, squares, locks, and often the atmosphere reigns more fabulous and magical than in megalopolis.

Festive Czech Republic

If you want to enjoy the classic Merry Christmas for Catholicism, you should consider visiting the Czech Republic. And one of the most honeying cities, of course, is considered her capital. Waiting for Christmas, Prague is completely transformed - trees and houses sparkle decorations, snow flakes are lying on the tiled roofs, similar to sugar powder, and the streets are filled with aroma of fried chestnuts.

In the Czech Republic you can buy at the happiness of the horseshoe made by the blacksmith in your eyes.

If you want to walk, sprinkle with the crowd, for this it is impossible to better fit Waclavskaya and Old Town Squares, famous for the most beautiful and noisy christmas fairs. Here you can enjoy the Starošeki-duke sterper and drink mulled wine-welzhak from painted ceramic mugs, which can be left as souvenirs.

Here you can buy on the happiness of the horseshoe made by the blacksmith in your eyes. And here you can have fun, watching costume ideas and curious lambs, hay. From the town hall located on the Old Town Square, Christmas hymns are heard all day, and lovers of organ music concerts can visit the Church of St. Michaula.

In the Czech Republic, you can buy a horseshoe for happiness, which is revealed with you.

For a good shopping, you need to walk along the main shopping street on the prestrug, if you need gifts made by Czech masters, your goal is the Manes Gallery. Guests of the city who want to see Prague from a bird's eye view - 66 meters, can visit the bistro of the same name, located on the top floor of the skyscraper.

If you want to relax in privacy, away from the celebrating Christmas of people, pay attention to the medieval castles of Cesci-Krumlov and Karlstein located in several hours from Prague. Them gingerbread houses And bridges will dip you in a quiet Christmas fairy tale.

Christmas Germany

Germany leads among European countries in terms of Christmas notes, here the festive period is called the "fifth season". Prepare for the holiday are beginning in November, the eleventh number, at 11 o'clock 11 minutes. At this time, the first Christmas services begin to be held in the temples, people start visiting them for repentance and communion.

A week later on the old squares, fairs are officially opened, noisy, funny, attracting thousands of citizens and guests of cities. Although traditionally in Europe, the fair is closed in the afternoon of December 24, in Germany the fair will last much longer, up to the onset of the new year. So, on the eve of 2019, the Berlin Fair will last from November 25 to December 25, Strasbourg - from November 26 to December 31.

In Germany, the festive period is called the "fifth season".

It is noteworthy that the day before the holiday is transformed not only Berlin, but also small provincial towns. Moreover, it is interesting to visit them for full immersion in the atmosphere and the spirit of Christmas. In every corner of the country there is something that pleases winter tourists - square, town hall, christmas trees and Christmas bazaars. And complement the sights of funny people on the streets that eating burning sausages and drink Punch or Mulled wine.

Christmas Munich annually collects lovers of musical and theatrical art on

tollwood Festival, tickets for which will instantly scatter. Very popular on the eve of Christmas and Nuremberg, known as the homeland of the Nutcracker.

Very original in the Catholic regions of the country, like Bavaria - on the streets of cities you can meet the processions of outer, the individuals of which are stained with soot or suggest fiery masks.

At the same time, wipes are held everywhere with typical biblical scenes - the cave, in which the newborn Jesus sleeps, who came to worship with his wrappers and a bright guiding star. Very fabulous in christmas dates looks like Rothenburg-Ob der Tauber, known for the year-round baza carrier christmas decorations and similar to the picture to the Baby book.

Germans, like most Europeans, consider christmas family holiday and celebrate it in a circle of loved ones, at home.

Austria and Christmas

As in the whole of the rest of Europe, cooking for Christmas in Austria begin a month before the date. From the moment of ads of Advent, the Christmas post, the country approaching the holiday begins to be felt in the country. People begin to decorate their homes with garlands and christmas wreaths in which four candles insert.

The Christmas tree in Austria is not dressed up with toys, but with something edible: candy or marzipans.

The first of them is lit on the first Sunday day of the post, the second - in the second, next Sunday is the third, and on the eve of Christmas, all the candles wreath brightly. It is curious that the Austrians are dressed up their Christmas trees not to toy balls, but edible ornaments - marzipan and chocolate recognized by the subject of pride in the country.

Starting from the Middle Ages, street bazaars open throughout the country in the pre-Christmas period. On them, in specially installed and beautifully painted kiosks, you can buy many a variety of sweets - beautiful cookies, lollipops, fried chestnuts, fragrant mulled wine. If you know how to skate well, you should certainly visit the "Vienna Ice Dream" - a huge rink of 3 square kilometers, generously illuminated by festive illumination.

Do you want to celebrate this new year so?

YesNot

Having visited the Cathedral of St. Stephen, you can listen to Christmas hymns, and rising to his southern tower - admire the wonderful view of Vienna. If it seems to you that on the elegant streets of the city you start freezing, you can sit on the sightseeing tram, the route of which runs so that you will see the main attractions of the city.

Although the main festive events held in Vienna, other cities of the country can also offer a lot of interesting entertainment. For example, you can go to Salzburg, in which musical festivals and art exhibitions are held annually. And what is the Museum of Christmas - a place where you can see the 18th century decorations, the 17th century leaders and the Christmas tree of the 20th century? In the vicinity of the Helllbrunn Palace, you can make friendship with pony. And if you do not take care of an angelic picture, you can take part in the processions of krampuses. These are shaggy devils with big horns, which is assigned a role - to punish naughty children.

Christmas in Spain

Christmas - an important holiday For Spain, most of whose population is Catholics. Although in each region and exist their traditions, most of them relate to national. Preparing for Christmas in this country, as in other cities of Europe, begin to engage in November - from planting christmas trees, hanging garlands and appearances on the urban streets of local sheds of frosts.

The most important Spanish Christmas attribute - Belen, image of the birth of Christ in the form of a layout. These symbols can be seen everywhere - near houses, in urban areas, in shop windows. At the same time, the Spaniards enjoy the English-German tradition - christmas trees that complement national whites.

It is unlikely that something can be more fabulous than the atmosphere of magic in Europe during Christmas and New Year. Even adults she lifestates in a fairy tale, causing to remember childhood and become a little happier and carefree. We are sure that best giftwhich you can make your children, family and yourself - it is to meet the New Year in Europe.

When to go

Christmas date in Europe - December 25. The new year is celebrated in the same way as we, January 1, but Christmas festivities are much more fun and larger. So if you take tickets for December 22-24, you will take exactly in the midst of the holiday.

If time allows, you can come around the middle of December, when fairs and sales are open to imbued with the Christmas atmosphere.

If the New Year's weekend starts only on December 29-30, it is not necessary to worry - large-scale Christmas fairs are often not closed until the first days of January, and the new year you are waiting for fireworks, street walkings and other no less interesting events.

Trade fairs

The main entertainment that is waiting for you in Europe in 2017 for Christmas is fairs, the best way Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of miracles and purchase interesting souvenirs and gifts. Even if you do not like to shop, you will capture this whirlpool fun and pre-holiday fuss.

Fairs are held in every European city, but we have collected for you a list of the most interesting and famous.

Weihnachtszauber Gendarmenmarkt, Berlin, Germany

By the end of December, all Berlin, the heart of which is located on the Gencarmenmarkt Square. Everything is decorated with bright lights - tents from the roof of the French cathedral look especially festively. The atmosphere of lightness and idleness reigns here - just wander and drink Mulled wine, try traditional gingerbread gingerbread and buy amazing souvenirs handmade. You can dilute simple walks by riding on sledding or skating and the absorption of all kinds of baking - especially we recommend the legendary German puff pastries Bumkugen.

Tallinna Jõuluturg, Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn Fair every year becomes more magnificent. A richly decorated Christmas tree is installed in the center of the Town Hall Square, from which trading rows with souvenirs and delicacies are diverged. Here you can buy handmade dolls, dishes with bizarre painting and incredibly smelling juniper stands. Children waiting for acquaintance with Juluvan - Estonian Santa Claus. Especially pleased with the fact that many people speak Russian in Estonia.

Marchés de Noël, Strasbourg, France

Many France are not associated with a magic Christmas atmosphere, but only until we are talking about Strasbourg - the capital of Christmas. In cafes and restaurants offer a unique winter menu, in numerous craft shops sell not just souvenirs, but real works of art. The center of all this festive act is the celebrations on the Klebera Square, around the 30-meter Christmas tree.

Christmas on Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom

The London Fair seizes the whole city, but her spirit is especially felt in the Covent Garden area. All stores are decorated with colored lights, visitors inside are treated with cookies and jam. Special entertainment is a pudding race, in which it is necessary not only to come to the finish line first, but also not to drop the traditional Christmas pudding.

Home Fair at Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is close to us - a popular place to celebrate New Year and Christmas. The fairs are open here in all areas, but it is on the Old Town Square that is the highest and richly decorated Christmas tree. You are waiting for music, souvenirs, christmas cookies and skating in the old town in elegant carriages. January 1 is a grand salute, the final festivities.

Vacation with children

Of course, if you go for the new year and Christmas to Europe with children, they will like in any city you have chosen. However, several directions are considered the most "children's" - impressions of such a trip will accurately keep your baby for life.

Finland

Rovaniemi is a village in Lapland, where Finnish Santa Claus lives - Joulupukka. Many seal here and the classical European Santa, so the place can be called universal.

Santa Residence is an ideal place for Christmas with a child. Here you can ride on real reindeers, feed the kids-deer beef and even personally talk to Santa and get a gift from him. By the way, adults all these entertainment are also available.

In addition, in winter there are numerous attractions in Rovaniemi, and in the nearby Ounasvar ski center, you can ride alpine skiing, snowboarding and sledding.

England

We have already spoken about the English fair, but if you are in London with children - be sure to visit Hyde Park. At the time of Christmas, it is turned into a real Disneyland with a huge American slide, the ferris wheel, a rink for thousands of people and the train "Santa Express". The circus arrange views on Christmas themes. You need to pay only for tickets for attractions - the entrance to the park itself and the wonderful New Year's mood you get for free.