Your Holiday Paradise Awaits You
If putting a Christmas tree in the living room seems too modest for this year’s holiday, here are some great destinations that will make you still feel the magic of the season, even if you are away from home.
New York City, New York
New York lives up to its reputation as the city that never sleeps, even during the holidays. The lights are on for families and the bars are open for adults.
spurekar, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bruges, Belgium
Belgium sometimes gets a bad rap as France’s boring little brother, but the world famous Christmas markets in Bruges prove the country has many things to offer beyond this reputation.
Arthurious, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Beaver Creek, Colorado
Do you like to ski or snowboard? Well, look no further than Beaver Creek, Colorado. Spacious resort locations such as The Osprey and The Pines Lodge are ideal for those looking to make a holiday ski trip.
Saint Lucia
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Well, if you are decidedly not, look no further than this Caribbean island country, which is home to multiple sights and resorts beyond just the sunny weather.
Salzburg, Austria
Maybe The Sound Of Music is your favorite movie and the idea of spending the holidays in the city it’s set in is appealing. But did you know there’s also a literal Christmas museum there to compliment the dreamy location?
Salzburger Nockerl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Solvang, California
Tucked away in Southern California is this small town which bases itself on the structure and architecture of many Danish cities. Evidently, you don’t need to leave North America to spend Christmas in Europe.
Stowe, Vermont
If you’re based in Montreal and need a great American place to ski, you can make a small commute to this wintry Vermont town, which will offer a very snowy Christmas.
Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Edinburgh, Scotland
This Scottish city has established itself as one of the world’s premiere Christmas destinations due to the annual Castle Of Light optical show, which projects fantastic images onto the city’s 12th-century castles. Get some holiday cheer and history in one fell swoop.
Ally Crockford, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Washington, DC
The nation’s capital offers a surprising number of Christmas attractions, be it inside all the city’s museums or the impressive National Christmas Tree near the White House.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
If you want both a spiritual but not winter-filled Christmas, go no further than this New Mexico city, which offers one of the country’s most impressive chapels alongside sunny weather.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Anybody looking for a warm Christmas would be encouraged to check out Argentina’s biggest city in December, which also boasts fireworks and an outstanding food selection for anybody looking outside the usual options of glazed ham and cookies.
London, England
London is naturally one of the world’s most desired Christmas spots, but for anyone who can, make sure to book at The Lanesborough Hotel, which specifically tailors its service around the holiday.
Anna Anichkova, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rovaniemi, Finland
If you want your kids to still believe in Santa Claus, then take them to Old Saint Nick’s supposed hometown in Finland. Even if you don’t have little ones, you’ll still delight in the sight of all the reindeer afoot.
Bavaria, Germany
Germany has a specific relationship to Christmas, what with the legend of the demonic Krampus and whatnot. So why not visit one of the most scenic parts of the country for your vacation?
Quebec City, Canada
Not only does the French-speaking capital of Quebec provide a beautiful European-replicating cityscape for a winter destination, it’s also a relatively affordable option on top of that, compared to Paris or London.
Cologne, Germany
Did you know this German city draws 4 million patrons every Christmas? It’s likely due to the city’s world famous Christmas market.
Kennebunkport, Maine
The snowy New England offers many ideal Christmas destinations, and that’s clearly evidenced in this small town, which has an 11-day festival dedicated to the holidays.
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Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland in the dead of winter? What could possibly evoke Christmas more? Well, they make sure to throw on one of the world’s most impressive Christmas decoration displays every year just to make sure you get the idea even more.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen has a global reputation for making tourists feel at home with its friendly citizens, which is exactly what makes this winter wonderland an especially ideal Christmas vacation spot.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan maybe loves Christmas more than any other city on earth, choosing to celebrate the holiday well into January through festivals and decorations.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai makes sure to cater to Western tourists with a number of Christmas festivities like the annual Santa Run. You’ll likely never forget a holiday trip there.
Myroslava Bozhko, Shutterstock
Medellin, Colombia
One of many warmer potential Christmas destinations, this Colombian city celebrates the holidays in style with its annual Alumbrados light festival.
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Leavenworth, Washington
This small town in the Pacific Northwest tailors to tourists by styling itself like Germany’s many alpine villages. Seems like a cheaper destination spot for those who still want some European flavor.
Zagreb, Croatia
The Zagreb Christmas Market has slowly been gaining a reputation as Europe’s best in that field. A trip there will also feature some striking architecture to witness, which is always a joy during any vacation.
Basel, Switzerland
Boasting enviable Christmas markets, decadent hotels, and even a special holiday puppet show, this Swiss city will offer an unforgettable December vacation to anyone.
Hong Kong, China
While only a small percentage of Hong Kong’s population belongs to Christmas-celebrating religions, one of the world’s premiere cities still does the holiday in style. The nightly Symphony Of Lights, in particular, offers a spectacular neon view of the cities’ skyscrapers.
Habactmas, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Malaga, Spain
Christmas isn’t over on December 26th in Malaga, Spain. The 28th, in particular, features the city’s most extravagant holiday attractions, like the Verdiales Music Festival.
Park City, Utah
Want to give Park City a see a month before all of Hollywood descends on the Sundance Film Festival? Visit there and you’ll get plentiful skiing as well as the elaborate North Pole Express.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
It may be a small town, but this rust belt destination has proudly deemed itself Christmas City. Look no further than Hotel Bethlehem, which features over 35,000 Christmas lights.
Dublin, Ireland
For any child-free adults looking to make a holiday trip, Dublin bars are still open on Christmas night. Who says you can’t party on the 25th?
Gdańsk, Poland
This modest Polish town makes sure to pull out all the stops for Christmas. Have you heard it even has a talking elk named Lucek?
Montreal, Canada
Everyone loves Montreal, but it’s an especially great place during the holidays. While some may associate the city with hedonism, the Notre-Dame Basilica offers a largely populated Christmas mass for anyone feeling spiritual.
Paris, France
The most romantic city on earth is also one of the best to spend Christmas. The Galeries Lafayette shopping center offers a particularly stunning spectacle during the holiday season.
Prague, Czech Republic
Vacations are often a great opportunity to indulge in food and drink, which Prague offers in splendid quantities. Who wouldn’t get in the holiday spirit with mulled wine?
Helena Jankovičová Kováčová, Pexels
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Rio offers it all for a Christmas destination, from beaches to luxuriate on and a festival dedicated to nativity scenes. You ultimately get the best of both worlds.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
December 16th to 24th sees this Mexican city celebrating the Las Posadas festival, which is dedicated to nativity scenes. This is a particular destination for those of a spiritual bent.
HeleneBR Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Vilnius, Lithuania
This may not be people’s go-to vacation spot, but you’ll find a true Christmas paradise in this Lithuanian city. Just google the Christmas tree that’s in the town’s center.
Felix Winkelnkemper, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Strasbourg, France
Get an old European flavor with a Christmas trip to this French city. It, in fact, holds the country's oldest Christmas markets, which go all the way back to the 17th century.
Sibiu, Romania
Count Dracula’s home of Transylvania likely won’t be most people’s idea of a Christmas vacation spot, but travel there and you’ll get in the holiday mood with an especially impressive market and architectural display.
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Taipei, Taiwan
This city makes sure to spread the holiday cheer. The Banqiao District in particular has a show-stopping display of Christmas attractions.
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