Southern Europe salute to the holidays: Lights, glitter, goodies of the season, Christmas fairs

This store in Madrid was cranking up its displays for the holidays the day after Thanksgiving  (which is not celebrated in Europe, of course). Black Friday, however, is big, a definite tradition throughout Europe and in much of the larger world. Here Saint Nick stars in myriad displays.

HOLIDAY CHEER BLANKETS THE MEDITERRANEAN FROM NOVEMBER UNTIL MID-JANUARY

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

"The Carpe Diem Kids"

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, READERS! EAT, DRINK, SHOP, BE MERRY!

 This week we share splashes of holiday color from our recent southern European and Mediterranean forays, a southern Europe salute to the holiday

We've spent yule time in Hong Kong, on the Rhine, in Bora Bora (where Santa arrives on a kayak) and in the Canary Islands, where the wise men sang beautiful carols to us.

Glass in Murano is bright and beautiful for holiday gifts.

TO HONOR THIS WEEK of family and friend time, we offer a photo essay of favorite holiday scenes. We hope it expresses our  delight both in travel -- and in the celebration of holidays. Combining the two makes each more special.

Above, a market in Barcelona offers  everything from candles and sweets to cheeses and wrappings.

From the lavish Christmas markets of Austria, Germany and England, to the pub crawls and food binges in Ireland, to the giant Christmas trees of Scandinavia, the holiday spirit sweeps the globe.   

We hadn't expected such  fervor, particularly with the financial unrest in France and Belgium, and unemployment in parts of Greece, but people worldwide 

 seem to want to celebrate -- even when times are hard. Glassware in

Valetta in Malta lights its waterfront during the festive holiday period.

Murano flies off the shelves and food and craft markets are flourishing in Madrid, Rome, Naples, Barcelona, Florence and Venice.

IN MANY European cities, Christmas isn’t just a single day of festivities, but an entire month of celebrations.

Bustling Christmas markets abound from Norway to Italy and most countries embark on the Christmas season with enthusiasm.  We came upon colorful festivals, religious ceremonies, crowded night markets, and pub  revelry with food offered in traditional holiday colors of red and green. Europeans don't hurry to put Christmas to bed, 

Southern Europe salute the holiday when some of the decorations will go down on Twelfth Night, though, that festival in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany, usually Jan. 5 or 6. Meanwhile, enjoy the season's color.

Lively scarves in Montenegro salute the season. Great gifts or souvenirs for yourself.

A picturesque old boat is lovingly tended during in Chania, Greece, where bargain lodging can be found.

UP NEXT: Where in the world will you find yourself in 2019? We offer tips on what's hot,  and where you might find a bargain. Our  recent foray on the Mediterranean gleaned lots of tips and we share them with you so you can pick a few that might fit your particular slant on life.

If you like quiet harbors and a quaint old town, you'll enjoy the villages of some of the lesser known Greek islands, where lodging can be found for under $150. If you like the sizzle of a busy city, you'll find Barcelona will make you happy. Restaurant fan? Ideas coming. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature and more: www.whereiscookie.com