When you think about it, the holidays are a very curious date. Depending on where you live, they will make you think about hot chocolate, snowy days and the joy of staying home warm under a blanket while Christmas movies play in the background. However, for those in the Southern Hemisphere, things are a little different… There’s no snow to worry about and there are plenty of sunny days too. Now, regardless of where you are from, the holidays are the perfect time to spend with family, get some rest and enjoy the magic that comes with Christmas celebrations. We know that there’s still some time before these dates arrive and that it's only early November, but if you think about it, planning your journey with time is a good idea, taking into account that there’s lots of places where traveling peak season is just beginning.
So, today we wanted to go over some of our favorite holiday destinations to help you decide what kind of vacations you want… are you eager to feel like you’re in Santa’s village, do you want to cozy up somewhere snowy and perfect to ski? Or, are you thinking about a tropical beach, where they don’t know what cold is and the crystal clear ocean is calling your name? Don’t worry about it, we have options for every taste. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to be able to spend the holidays with your loved ones laughing, relaxing and having fun. Whether it is surrounded by Christmas lights and snow mans, or golden sand and hot days, is simply a small detail.
Maldives:
We’re going to begin with a destination that seems more suitable for summer vacations than for Christmas… the Maldives. It white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters and sunny days are a constant throughout the year, and while everyone thinks about snow falls and the cold, the Maldives remains as a paradisiacal escape. For those who would like to avoid freezing temperatures, a December trip to this island is a perfect option, because that’s when the dry season begins, which will allow you to enjoy wonderful beaches without having to worry about rain and humidity. Nothing more perfect than dry heat with a refreshing breeze. As for what you can do during your stay, it is safe to say that swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, doing water sports, snorkeling or scuba diving all sound like great ideas. But, if you’re just looking for ways to relax, reading a book on the beach or resting while receiving the sun are always excellent options. Regardless of what you choose, traveling to the Maldives will give you a unique experience for the holidays and will allow you to spend a fantastic and pretty different Christmas celebration.
The Maldives is a fantastic destination for those who would like to escape from the winter cold for a while.
Strasbourg, France:
Well, now we’re going to go onto one of the most popular holiday destinations, Strasbourg! This city in France is known for its Christmas market, which was the first ever of its kind in the 16th century, and still today is one of the most impressive markets. Given this, it comes as no surprise that Strasbourg is hailed as The Capital of Christmas… And thus, you understand why we include it in our blog for the best holiday destinations. However, there’s much more to Strasbourg than Christmas, because the historic city was the first city center to be designated entirely as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its amazing history and architecture. Then, aside from going around the different stalls selling handmade crafts, typical food and warm beverages, you can enjoy the wonderful scenery created by the combination between mesmerizing architecture and magical Christmas lights.
Strasbourg is known as The Capital of Christmas, so it is an obvious choice for our list!
Switzerland:
Maintaining the interest in more Christmas-like destinations, we cannot ignore Switzerland, a beautiful country that turns even more breathtaking during winter. With the first fall of snow, throughout the country the sceneries turn into postcards or incredible pieces of art, with city squares embellished by the snow and the mountains turning into white clouds waiting for visitors eager to ski. Generally speaking, anywhere in the country could be your dream vacation, because little villages lighted by hundreds of lights, charming forests and horse-drawn sleighs carrying astonished visitors are scattered across all of Switzerland. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that one of the most impressive places to spend the holidays would be Zermatt, an incredible resort that will fulfill all of your wintery dreams. But, in order to get there, you should take the Glacier Express, an eight-hour train ride that was made to celebrate Switzerland’s magical landmarks. The Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, the other biggest mountain resort of the country, but its true magic comes with the opportunity to watch the best panoramic views of the Oberalp Pass and the Matterhorn, as well as everything in between.
The scenery in Switzerland is always charming, but during winter, there’s just a special magic that makes it even more wonderful.
Kyoto, Japan:
It’s time to shake things up a little bit again, and think about a destination that perhaps not many people will associate with a holiday destination, Kyoto, in Japan. Here, we’re going to put Christmas on the back burner and instead, focus on the New Year’s celebrations. These are called Oshogatsu, and they represent a celebratory and commemorative time, when people spend time with their loved ones and connect spiritually. Because of this, December 31st is a day dedicated to prayers, typical dishes, family gatherings and visits to the temple. Making Kyoto your holiday destination is a different way to enjoy the end of the year and witness unique traditions in Japan’s former imperial capital. If you’re a fan of Christmas markets, don’t worry, because in Kyoto you’ll be able to go to several markets organized across town, with the Kobo-san and Tenjin-san being the most popular ones. Get ready for plenty of street food, authentic Japanese antiques and even kimonos for you to try on. This is definitely a wonderful way to start off the new year!
If you travel to Kyoto during the holidays, the most incredible celebration will be Oshogatsu, for New Year’s.
Cartagena, Colombia:
There’s been plenty of variety in our list of holiday destinations… Traditions, warm beaches and the classic Christmas markets. To conclude, we’re going to talk about Cartagena, an idyllic destination in Colombia that might not be in your radar for December, but that should become a possibility. Just like what happens in the Maldives, Colombia does not know about snow, and of course, Cartagena is always sunny, with stunning beaches and a historic center that you won’t see anywhere else. Although around the world Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the most important celebrations during December, Colombia’s different. On December 7th, the country celebrates the “Día de las Velitas”, roughly translated as “The Candles Day”, in which at night the streets are filled by people lighting little candles and colored lanterns with family and friends, sharing food and blasting the country’s typical Christmas music. It is one of the locals’ favorite celebrations, and it has become the best way to signal the beginning of the holidays.
It’s always sunny in Cartagena, and the Día de las Velitas is a great way to start the holidays.
And that’s how we finish our list. Hopefully, these destinations have picked your interest and made you excited about the coming holidays. As you can see, there are numerous ways to celebrate and spend the holidays, although they share the sense of family, gratitude and expectation for the future. Whether it is in a snowy Christmas town or at the hottest beach, if you pick any of our destinations, your holidays will certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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