1. NINTENDO DS LITE – the DS has lead the market in hand held consoles for some time and the new Lite version has impressive 3D rendered graphics, bright visually stunning screens and cutting-edge games making it a must for any serious gadget lovers. As a major bonus it also includes a Wi Fi connection so that you can log on to the live Nintendo games site and play online with friends from all around the world.

2. ASUS EEE PC – mini laptops are really popular at the moment and the new Eee PC from the manufacturer Asus has been the big gadget hit of the year, because of its 4GB drive, small and compact shape, low price, and more importantly its new Wimax (wireless) capabilities. Over 350,000 of the original machines were sold in just a three-month period at the beginning of the year and you can get a basic model for just $400 if you shop around. It would make the best Christmas gift for anyone.

3. UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - this cool little gadget from Logitech can bring together and support up to 15 different devices at once including televisions, satellite or cable boxes, DVD players, video recorders, game consoles and even home PCs, and makes the perfect gift for helping gadget addicts keep all their devices organised.

4. ROBOT TOYS – the market is always flooded with robot gadgets, but a couple of new releases have stood out in 2008. Fur Real Friends My Lovin Pups are cute and lifelike and combine some cutting edge animatronics with a soft furry exterior. Biscuit the Golden Retriever is a favourite, and moves his head, ears and tails quite convincingly in response to whoever is playing with him, but at around £150 each these little puppies are not cheap!

5. DVICO (M-6500A) NETWORK MEDIA PLAYER – this is one of the best network media players, and boasts Sigma’s latest SMP8635 processor and excellent memory capacity. Features include music playback and sophisticated visual image display (high definition display formats supported) and the casing it smart and trendy and looks good in any setting. The player is a bit pricy at around £500 – £600 though, but anyone who loves gadgets will welcome it warmly into their lives.

6. POWERTRAVELLER POWERMONKEY EXPLORER – at £65 this is an mid price gadget that can provide portable charging for just about any device when you are travelling around, and is perfect for geeks as it means they never need to run out of battery on their mobiles and iPods ever again. The Powertraveller comes with universal adapters and a solar cell to top up when the sun is shining, and fits into a neat little package so it’s easy to carry around.

7. MOBILE HOME – this is only available in Japan at the moment unfortunately, but is worth a mention simply because it has been one of the biggest gadgets of 2008 – the mobile home system from the P2P Universal Computing Consortium, which allows mobile phone companies to adapt current technology so that you can link the devices in your home to your mobile phone. Basically it will allow you to remotely control the lights, heating, air condition, security system, washing machine and more simply by using your mobile phone.

8. GAMING WARDROBE – geeks love all kinds of new gaming technology and this years gaming wardrobe from TN Games is surely going to get them all hot under the collar. This vest part of the wardrobe has been released and is connected to the PC by USB, and uses light weight compressors to pump up parts of the vest to simulate G-forces for car racing games, and can also gently replicate the impact of a bullet for first person shooter games. The leg covers and helmet are just being released and the whole ensemble is aimed to provide a fully immersed gaming experience.

9. SUPER SMART GPS - The recent Dash Express in-car navigation system from Dash Navigation is a new generation GPS system which aims to help you avoid congestion by providing real time traffic data not just from regular sources, but also from other active Dash Navigation systems belonging to other owners. This means that people on the spot can report traffic problems as soon as they occur, and for an additional bonus there is a web function so that users can look online for more traffic information including where the cheapest/nearest fuel stations are and where to stop for lunch.

10. AIR GUITAR – the Rock Band online gaming community and Guitar Hero console games have been a phenomenon since their release a few years ago, and now you can buy the Air Guitar, which is the first battery operated device that is sold separately from the games, meaning you can play anywhere, and at anytime. Just plug the guitar into the mini amplifier, select a track and get rocking. At £17 each this is an affordable gadget that will have you jumping around your front room to Black Sabbath in to time.

1. Nintendo DS – with impressive graphics, cutting edge game play and bright funky design the DS has captured the imagination of the both children and adults, and is certain to become just as popular as the original Nintendo game boy. A definite plus is the Wi Fi connection which allows you to connect to the Nintendo live gaming site so that you can play and interact with other gamers all over the world. The DS will definitely be on most people’s gift lists this Christmas
2. High School Musical 3 Dance Mat – anything that is related to the amazingly popular High School Musical franchise is going to do well around Christmas time, but the official HSM Dance Mat is flying out of the shops at the moment, as it helps you to learn all the cool dance routines from the movie along with 4 of the catchy songs. There are routines to suit all skill levels from beginner to superstar, and both small and big kids are sure to find this totally addictive.
3 Apple iPhone 3G – this new generation iPhone is at bit pricey at £290, but it is one of the top gadgets of 2008, and has a mind boggling amount of features including GPS mapping, wireless Internet connection and digital camera. The iPhone 3G is one of the most sophisticated multi media devices on the market, acting as a mini laptop, portable music player and mobile phone and is a must-have addition to any serious tech lover’s arsenal.
4. Biscuit My Lovin Pup – these real fur toys are wonderful for kids that cannot have pets because of allergies or living arrangements, as they bring the experience of owning a puppy to life through some amazingly sophisticated technology. Each My Lovin pup is stuffed full of top quality animatronics that allow it to respond to kids just like a real puppy would do, and have incredibly life-like movements and soft, strokeable fur.

5. My Life Portable Console – another popular games console, this allows kids to create their own characters with virtual life simulator technology, and interact with other players in their very own virtual worlds. Order this one in advance as demand is sure to outweigh supply as Christmas approaches.
6. Swim To Me Puppy – this little toy is utterly adorable, and automatically swims when you put him in the water so is great for both bath time and encouraging your children when they are learning to swim. Each puppy comes with some cute little goggles, a towel and also an adoption certificate which you can fill out and register online at the manufacturer’s website.
7. ASUS Eee 900 – tiny portable laptops are becoming incredibly popular these days, and the ASUS Eee 900 is one of the best and also cheapest at just £225.04. The lightweight, slim design will fit easily into handbags and rucksacks, and the built in Wi Fi means you can connect to the Internet wherever you are and use the Eee 900 for work or play.
8. Digital Camera – digital cameras are taking over the photo industry and as you can get some excellent cameras for as little as £20 these days they are an ideal gift for Christmas. The benefit of being able to edit and delete photos before you print them are great for children who are learning how to take photos, and also for adults who want to ensure their photos are of the best quality every time.
9. MP3 player – there are hundreds of MP3 players on the market at prices to suit any budget and these make an excellent gift for any age group, but especially teenagers. The Apple iPod Touch is certain to be high on serious music lover’s wish lists this Christmas, and with its multi browser interface and Wi Fi connection it is a versatile and sophisticated device that will keep you entertained for hours.
10 Elmo Live – Elmo toys always sell extremely well at Christmas and the Elmo Live from Fisher Price has been selling out fast in toy shops across both the USA and UK. Elmo live opens his mouth to move and sing along to his favourite songs, and is really quite cute and entertaining. Elmo Live isn’t cheap though at £59.99, so you may want to look around a few websites and toy shops to see if you can any last minute deals.

2. Honolulu, Oahu – tropical beach resorts are always popular at Christmas time and the heart of Hawaii, the island of Oahu, is one of the best mid winter sun destinations, full of warm and welcoming traditional culture and beautiful natural scenery. The famous white tropical beaches of Waikiki are the perfect place to treat your family to a relaxing, memorable Christmas, and Honolulu city spares no expense on the holiday decorations and electric Christmas light parades.

3. Disneyland, Orlando, Florida – perhaps one of the most special places you can take your children for the Christmas break is Disneyland. It really is a magical place, and Christmas is extra special with some fantastic decorations all across the park and its hotels, with an amazing 50,000 lights decorating Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and a 60 foot Christmas tree at the end of Main Street. The rides themselves are also redecorated at Christmas, and kids will love the seasonal changes to the Haunted House, with a whole theme based on Tim Burton’s popular “The Nightmare Before Christmas” film featuring Jack Skelington. There is also an amazing Christmas Fantasy Parade which is unmissable as well as “West Pole” which is set up in Frontierland and features a get away for Santa so that he can unwind before his big day.

4. New York – Christmas in New York is spectacular, with some impressive decorations and fantastic shows and entertainments. A visit to the huge kids toy stores FAO Schwarz and Toys R Us in Times Square are truly magical, as well as the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and the amazing Christmas window displays at Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. New York is very cold at this time of year and there is a good chance of snow falling, which can make getting around a bit awkward but adds to the magical atmosphere.

5. Meran, Southern Tirol Italy – This is one of the most popular skiing destinations in the world and also provides a number of other fantastic activities including hiking tours, mountain biking and the very popular lighted night skiing and sledding. The beautiful old Meran town centre was built in the 13th century and was formerly the capital of the Tirol area and offers some excellent and atmospheric shopping and dining experiences over the Christmas break.

6. Bay of Islands, New Zealand – New Zealand is an amazing country with such a lot to offer, and it is summer here in December so expect barbecues on the beach rather than open fires and eggnog. The Bay of Islands has some of the world’s most outstanding natural scenery with over 150 different tiny islands and secluded beaches, and you can stay in beautiful little secluded villas which look out over the miles of blue ocean. Seaside restaurants in the area provide fantastic Christmas feasts if you don’t feel in the mood to cook for yourself, and you can take memorable Christmas morning cruises out from Russell Harbour to watch wildlife such as dolphins and whales.

7. Edinburgh, Scotland – Christmas is always celebrated in style in Edinburgh, with fantastic firework displays and some great Christmas shopping and dining experiences. The luxurious Caledonian Hilton provides an atmospheric and intimate stay with roaring fireplaces and tasteful decorations, and a trip to the 600 year old St. Giles Cathedral on Christmas Eve to hear the sermon and carol singing is truly special and will get you in the perfect mood for Christmas day.

8. Malmö, Sweden – this beautiful city was built back in the 16th century and has some amazing buildings that look simply magical covered in decorations and a light blanket of snow. Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve by most families in Sweden, so make sure that if you want to eat Christmas dinner out you book up in advance on 24th, as most restaurants actually close on Christmas Day. Traditional Swedish Christmas feasts are based on mainly fish dishes, but you will find the odd turkey roast here and there.

9. Mexico City – there is a real party vibe in the capital of Mexico all year long, but things get especially hot at Christmas time, making this one of the best Christmas party towns in the world. Check into the Hotel Habita, which has a wonderful swinging rooftop lounge and lap pool, and is full of experienced party people looking to unwind and have a great time. You can eat a traditional Mexican Christmas meal in the fantastic courtyard at San Ángel Inn, which is a former Carmelite monastery built in 1692, and there is also some excellent gift shopping places in the nearby main square where artists and craftsman display their wares in various shops and stalls.

10. Boston USA – Boston has a real old world feel, with its grand old architecture and cobblestoned streets , and it is a real treat to spend Christmas here browsing through the shops and stalls and relaxing in one of the many coffee houses and cafes. The XV Beacon Hotel is a great place to stay combining vintage detail such as four poster beds with modern amenities (Internet connections and CD players) and it is close to the one of the oldest parks in the USA, Boston Common which looks simply stunning when it snows in mid winter.

Vienna has a long history, you can still admire some roman ruins in the city. Up to 1857 the downtown(Innenstadt ) was closed inside a defence wall. On the place of the wall it has been build the Guertel, a wide fancy boulevard.

Quality of life in Vienna is the best worldwide, near Vancouver. There are 100 museums, theaters and opera houses. You may not miss the Christmas Ball at Opera house, as you are in Wien. Important to know: in Vienna are organized more than 200 balls in one year! The locals love parties very much, you can feel it. Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven lived here in Vienna, which was always a cultural city. All these composers live even today in Vienna in a way. They are very present at every step.

Vienna is also a very modern city and lives not only through its glorious past. The giant wheel fom the Prater, the UNO quarter and the OPEC houses are some signs of the Vienna’s modern vocation.

On Christmas there are special sales posibilities and special prices on the Christkindlmarkt. You can drink boiled wine (Gluhwein) on the streets. On Christmas in Vienna you can relax and also get a good portion of culture. Don’t miss the Wiener Schnitzel, which is huge and very tasty, or the Sacheltorte( a delicious desert), which you can take in one of Vienna’s many restaurants and cafes!

Last, but not least, a mention about the Vienna architecture, which is an amazing mix of different styles. By the beginning of the xxth century, as a reaction to the modern buildings, the genial painter and architecture Hundertwasser build his house in a very particular way. And this Hundertwasser house is nowadays one of the city’s most visited architectural sites ( other important places: the gothic Stephansdom, and the palaces of Schoenbrunn, Hofburg, Belvedere).

A lot of things to do and to see on Christmas in Vienna.

]]> http://www.journeyetc.com/christmas/christmas-in-vienna/feed/ 2 http://www.journeyetc.com/christmas/travel-us-christmas/ http://www.journeyetc.com/christmas/travel-us-christmas/#comments Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:41:21 +0000 Travel Advisor http://www.journeyetc.com/?p=1116 One of the most popular holiday destinations in the US around Christmas time is New York City. For some the attraction is the superior shopping and glamorous nightlife, and for others it is simply the magic of all the wonderful street and shop decorations. Whatever your reasons for going, this is one of the busiest times for the city and so it is vital to book everything well in advance before you go.

Accommodation can range from cheap to chic, but it all gets booked up for Christmas well before autumn each year. If you are not familiar with the city then look on some of independent New York community websites such as www.wirednewyork.com or www.askanewyorker.com, to get some insider knowledge on the best places to stay and dine out. Prices in a good, standard hotel start at around $80 a night for a double room, but you will need to spend at least $120 to get something really nice.

There are hundreds of nightclubs and bars in the city, but to find out what is really hip you can look on New York Magazines nightlife pick on their website, which lists of the top nights out for the current year, and includes some cool celebrity hang outs. For dining out you should check out the local pizza joints as New York is famous for its high quality pizza and Italian food, and you can also get a list of restaurant reviews at on the New York magazine website or at www.zagat.com, and again it will be worth booking in advance as the best places get very busy.

Shopping is a must when you are in New York, especially at Christmas time when the shops go mad with decorations and all things festive. Top shopping hotspots include the world famous Bloomindales, as well as Barneys (home of edgy fashion), Macys (big brand names), and Tiffany & Co for all things jewellery related. If you are after bargains then there are also several large H&M stores full of discount clothes and for kids a trip to the huge toyshop FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue is an absolute must do.

If you are after a bit of culture during your New York Christmas break, then look no further than the impressive range of New York museums, most of which are free entry, and also New York is the home of Broadway, where you can catch a huge range of shows from the famous and fabulous, to the arty and quirky. If you do want to see a show you will have to book early, so go online to www.broadwaybox.com, and you may also grab a bargain or two for making reservations in advance.

Getting around New York can be exhausting at the best of times, but over the Christmas period it is completely crazy, so book your transport from the airport to your hotel in advance. You will have very little chance of waving down a cab, so make yourself familiar with the subway, which is cheap and reasonably easy to use, or get a good street map and be prepared to do some walking.