Another alternative is to let peripheral Europe leave the zone and rebuild it with Denmark and Sweden as a kind of "dark winter night" economic zone, based on sound principles and weak beer.

BBC: Ten points on the Euro crisis

Turn left on Washington Street and right on Winter Street, riding through the pedestrian zone to reach Boston Common.

BBC: In Boston, leaf peeping by bike

Most analysts expect oil prices to be softer in the first quarter as the euro-zone crisis dominates the news and unseasonably warm winter weather keeps oil demand weak.

WSJ: Oil's Tug of War Is Poised to Continue