Christmas Trees
‘round
the world
Before the ball drops in Times Square, the
Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree
in Rockefeller Center. <//O:P>
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.
<//O:P>
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 <//O:P>.
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime
neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand
Prince Hotel Akasaka. <//O:P>
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.
<//O:P>
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.
<//O:P>
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.
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. <//O:P>
'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even
in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in
Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous
sight.
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. <//O:P>
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.
<//O:P>
The Christmas tree that greets revelers at
the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week
celebration makes millionaires along with
merrymakers. On
Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the
world's biggest lottery. <//O:P>
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. <//O:P>
Drink a glass of gluhwein
from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since
1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past. <//O:P>
Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a
rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location
unknown). <//O:P>
