If you’ve never attempted ice-skating before then this is a great time to try it out – on an outdoor rink. A few places in and around London, most notably the Tower of London, Hampton Court and Somerset House, have converted large areas into makeshift rinks over the festive period and it’s a great place to take the family, partners or just a bunch of mates.
I’ve been three Decembers in a row and it’s such great fun and very reasonably priced too which is always a bonus! Just make sure to pack a scarf, thick socks and some warm gloves...
Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Russia is famous for its winter, so why not enjoy it? Ice-skating is the best way of doing this, there are numerous places around Moscow where you can take part.
I recommend Le Futur, which comes complete with orange ice and a clubbing soundtrack from Megapolis FM. And, of course, there's also skating at Gorky Park.
Le Futur ice-skating rink: Petrovskaya str, 26
Strictly a winter thing. Ice skating on the lake within Beijing University's beautiful campus. The campus itself is a nice place to wander through. A mixture of traditional architecture and modern things. A really nice setting for a bit of fun.
Out in Haidian. Not far from the new line 13 station in wudaokou.
This is a huge ice rink. You can hire skates there too. It is great fun.
Nearest underground/ S-Bahn station is Heidelberger Platz or Hohenzollerndamm.