Christmas tree in Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland

© Panther Media GmbH/Alam

Santa's Polish rest stop. Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland

From early December, the streets and squares of Warsaw, Poland's capital city, are dressed for the festive season. Christmas decorations light up the Royal Route, which extends south from the Royal Castle on Castle Square, where a nearly 30-foot-tall Christmas tree is installed for the holiday season, to Wilanów Palace. Bundled patrons wander through Warsaw's Christmas Market, browsing through seasonal souvenirs while savoring a warm beverage. The Royal Castle and surrounding Old Town have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.