With so much of the world being unsafe for Americans the past years since 9/11 and our aggressive attitude, I have only written articles for the International section that I feel would be relative safe for the American traveler.  London has not been unaffected by the world threat of terrorist, but all in all, it is about  as safe as it can be, in this present world.  It is also one of the world’s greatest places to celebrate the Christmas holidays!

More things than the traveler can ever hope to do in one trip can be found with this click.

“The city lights up towards the end of November in a sea of luminosity heralding the start of Advent. All the main thoroughfares and landmarks, including the London Eye, are lit up with a Yuletide glow. Tuneful voices carry on the chilly air as carol singers hit the streets and music floats out of the doors of churches and concert halls….Getting active over Christmas isn’t hard either. In centuries past Londoners used to skate on a frozen Thames but these days we settle for a multitude of gorgeous artificial ice rinks idyllically perched in the grounds of stunning attractions such as the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace."

Visitors will still want to see the sights and this is possible, even on Christmas Day. Jump on a steam train to Canterbury or see the city’s Dickensian side, without forgetting the massive selection of comedy, concerts, exhibitions and children’s entertainments. “ 

A wonderful place for shopping all year round, London in all its illuminated grandeur is another experience altogether. With over 30,000 shops you are spoilt rotten for choice. In the shopping haven around Oxford Street you’ll find all the usual high street outlets but elsewhere there are hordes of hidden treasures the uninitiated might miss.

There are over 300 markets, countless out-of-sight shopping arcades and shops in the most curious locations. Exploring the city is a great way to spend the day, uncovering your own favourites, but to give you a head-start we’ve compiled a list of highlights.

These shops - an assortment of old and new, celebrated and mysterious, large and small - "house a limitless selection of festive gifts.”

“Londoners love Christmas, and they love the theatre. A big part of the city's traditional celebrations takes place on her magnificent stages. For over a century, the theatres of London have been transformed for the festive seasons by bawdy musicals, seasonal comedies, pantomimes and dance spectaculars. Christmas 2005 is a great year, offering everything from timeless ballets, to classic music-hall comedies and brilliant new shows. There's something for everyone in this year's bumper crop of festive treats.” 

Edward Scissorhands

22 November 2005 - 5 February 2006

 Mary Poppins

Until April 2006

Scrooge

20 October 2005 - 14 January 2006

Jack and the Beanstalk

2 December 2005 - 7 January 2006

Cinderella

9 December 2005 - 15 January 2006

Just to mention a few of the great performing arts to pick from during the holiday season.

“What happens when you’re sick of carols, concerts and shopping?”   London demonstrates her diverse, myriad personality this Christmas. Across the capital there’s something for everyone: children, adults, musos, gastronomes, animal-enthusiasts, sports aficionados, laughter-addicts, film fanatics are all included. There are events taking place in a variety of venues, from the small and intimate, to the grand and impressive. 

Here  are some selected highlights happening over the festive period. Some of them are Christmas-related - others not - but above all they give you a taster of London’s bewitching medley of entertainment.”

Yes, the British really know how to do Christmas in a big and wonderful way.

Lots of special fares at this time of the year make the trip possible for many.

Tremendous hotel specials can be found at:   http://www.londontown.com/hotels/

Airfare and specials can be found at many places on the Internet, but one of my favorites is Best Fares.   For some really big European specials, including London packages try this link:

Happy Holidays and Happy Traveling.