by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 11:00 PM ET, Wed December 24, 2014
PHOTO: Modern Day Santa Claus. (Photos Courtesy of Wikicommons)
Americans have a pretty well ingrained-idea of who Santa Claus is and what he is supposed to look like. He is a large man with a white beard, wearing a red suit trimmed with white fur. He is full of cheer and generous to all. He makes a delivery of gifts to well behaved children on Christmas Day each year which he travels to by a flying sleigh that is pulled by reindeer. He resides at the North Pole where at his workshop, elves are the craftsmen that manufacture all of the toys.
But where did he come from? And has he always been so well defined? The answer is varied, but here is a quick trip around the world to offer up some of the origin stories that provided inspiration for Santa and may even provide a little inspiration for your next vacation in 2015.
Turkey
Nikolaos of Myra
During the fourth century a man by the name of Nikolaos of Myra who would eventually be canonized to Saint Nicholas was the Greek Christian Bishop of Myra (part of modern day Turkey).
He was known for secret gift giving such as putting coins in shoes that were left out for him or providing dowries for poor unwed women who without would be forced to turn to prostitution. The legend says that he could not help those women in public and therefore delivered those dowries in the middle of the night.
Today, Myra is located in the coastal province of Antalya, Turkey and is the center of Turkish tourism, garnering over 30 percent of the nation's tourists. In 2011, it was the third most visited city in the world, pushing past New York with more international arrivals. Because of the varying topography of the region, during the months of January through April, visitors can go from skiing in the mountains down to the beach and into the water, all in the same day. As you can probably guess, there is a massive amount of history in this area and historic sites are abound.
Germany
A depiction of Odin
Yule was originally a 12-day pagan religious festival that was celebrated in the midwinter. During this event, the god Odin was said to be on his "Wild Hunt" across the sky with his white beard and his grey horse, an early influential concept for Santa. There is also mention of gift bringing in the legend somewhere as well.
Modern day Germany is just that: Modern. And although there is a ton of rich tradition and history, the Germans are as progressive as anyone else on this planet. Germany is the seventh most visited country in the world and according to the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Reports, is one of the safest travel destinations in the world. Germany is known for philosophers, artists, musicians, film makers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and inventors. They also brew a pretty good beer.
The Netherlands
Sinterklass
These guys know how to celebrate the holidays because they get to have two Christmases! On Saint Nicholas Day, which falls on Dec. 6, or the night before, gifts are given to celebrate the feast of Sinterklass, another predecessor to Santa Claus here in the states. Many of those same households, especially those with western ties, celebrate Christmas as well. The Netherlands isn't the only one celebrating here as you can also find Sinterklass in Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern France, and more.
Sinterklass was said to be an, "elderly, stately and serious man with white hair and a long, full beard. He wears a long red cape over a traditional white bishop's alb and sometimes…a long ceremonial shepherd's staff with a fancy curled top." He also carries a big book that has a list of which child is good and which is bad.
Today the Netherlands is a great place to travel. The weather, which everyone assumes would be cold sitting on the coast of the North Sea, is very tepid with cool summers and mild winters with the low averaging around the freezing point.
The country is the fourth most densely populated country in the world but still manages to be the second largest exporter of food and agriculture products behind the U.S. Amsterdam is one of the most-visited cities in The Netherlands, but there is also plenty to do in Rotterdamn, The Hague and Utrecht. If you are lucky enough to get there in the spring, look for the tulips, and definitely find yourself some stroopwafels, they are to die for.
England
Father Christmas
Well we can't very well talk about Santa Claus without bringing up Father Christmas. Dating back all the way to the 16th century, Father Christmas was originally conceived as a large man in green or scarlet robes lined with fur who brought peace, joy, food and wine and revelry. England, who didn't celebrate the feast of Saint Nicholas, moved the day of celebration to Dec. 25 to coincide with Christmas Day. Today Father Christmas and Santa Claus are seen as one in the same.
England is on many a person's travel itinerary and even for those who it is not, they are normally found to be flying through Heathrow Airport. There is plenty of history to be had in England, with many heritage sites as well as a whole segment of Ecotourism that is the latest rage. Take in some authentic English fare and grab a pint at a local pub and if you have the time, take in a game of soccer more appropriately named there, "football."
Santa Claus is rooted deep in tradition and has traveled the world it would seem. Which is quite fitting for a guy that does the round the world tour each and every Dec. 25. Which makes me wonder, "where does Santa take his vacation?"
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