CHRISTMAS   FROM  AROUND  THE  WORLD!

Above  – The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments
that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens
in the ‘Pathway of Peace’ represent the 50 U.S. states.

Below – A token of gratitude for Britain’s aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London’s Trafalgar Square has been the
 annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.





Above – Simple and quaint. Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague’s Old Town Square,
and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market,
is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.


Below – Gay Paris – Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette!
In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome,
 plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it’s no surprise this show-stopping
department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.





Above – The world’s largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes
of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy’s Umbria region. Composed of about
 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the ‘tree’ is a modern marvel for an ancient city.

Below – The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.  Thousands
of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special
enchantment of the city during the holiday season.





Above – Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox
calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in
anticipation of Father Frost’s arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. 
He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree,
or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

Below – A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo’s nighttime neon display
 is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.





Above – Leave it those crazy glass blowing Italians!
Venice ‘s Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality
glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master
glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a
modern reflection of the holiday season.


Below – Not the gayest place on Earth!
In addition to the Vatican’s heavenly evergreen, St. Peter’s Square
in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.




H A P P Y    H O L I D A Y S ! 


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