Not everyone wants Christmas to be white. Many of us have already started thinking about where we could go on vacation at Christmas to get away from the snow and enjoy sand and hours of sunshine. If the idea of spending Christmas on empty white sand beaches with a cool drink in your hand gets you in the holiday spirit, there are several places where you can get some winter sun. So, if you’re already making plans for a trip this year, you’ll find a lot here to make you happy. We’ve put together a list of some of the best Christmas holiday destinations in 2023. So hurry up and plan your trip with TUI.
8 Best Christmas Holiday Destinations
1. Iceland
Iceland is one of the best Christmas holiday destinations. Here, the holiday season is full of lively Christmas markets with wooden booths full of food, drink, and gifts. Big Christmas trees stand guard over the markets. Expect a real winter wonderland with wild lava fields and rocky mountains covered in snow to make them shine even more. And if you start to feel cold, sub-zero temperatures are the best time to take a warm dip in the Blue Lagoon’s geothermal waters. Take a self-drive trip into the mountains to see the northern lights dancing in the night sky, and don’t forget other seasonal activities like hiking near the Snaefellsjokull glacier.
2.The Rhine
Spend Christmas on the Rhine, with a glass of local wine in your hand as you watch steep vineyards and old castles pass by. Most Rhine cruises stop at Rhineland cities like Cologne, Koblenz, and Bonn, making them a relaxing way to celebrate the holidays. Here, Christmas lovers mix and mingle in charming Christmas markets, where lights twinkle and the sound of shoppers talking, skates on an ice rink, and Christmas carols provide a lively soundtrack.
3. Germany
Germany celebrates Christmas with gusto, and its famous Christmas markets are filled to the brim with mulled wine and bright Christmas lights. Hip Berlin has a huge fair, and if you buy a ticket to the Alexanderplatz show, you can get into the Christmas spirit right away. History fans who like to celebrate the holidays might want to go farther away and spend Christmas at the opulent old castle of Colditz, which was not at all Christmassy when the war was going on. There’s a good chance it will snow. In December, the average low temperature is -1C, so it can get very cold. Germany is one of the best Christmas holiday destinations.
4. Barbados
The Caribbean is one of the best Christmas holiday destinations. Here, it’s all about swimming in azure waters, beachcombing on sandy beaches, and sipping Brugal XV’s smooth rum. Back on board, there are plenty of spa treatments, and another island is just around the corner. Between mid-September and mid-December, when hotel prices drop by up to a third and the air-kissing, winter-sun-seeking regulars haven’t yet flown in, Barbados is at its most laid-back. There is a chance of rain, but it never lasts long, and the temperature is still a nice 27C. Find out about the wild east.
5. Courchevel, France
Courchevel’s Russian moment, when it became known for being a place where oligarchs go overboard, is over. But that hasn’t changed the fact that it’s where the world’s richest people go to hang out. The most luxurious ski resort has wide trails that are easy to ski on, restaurants with Michelin stars, and five-star hotels. From Christmas Day to New Year’s Eve, there is the most social activity. Think champagne bars and perfect teeth set against a razor-sharp mountain ridge.
6. Muscat, Oman
After Christmas lunch, you can take a flight overnight and wake up in Muscat seven hours later.
The beach is only 15 minutes from the airport, so go there right away. The Chedi is good for small children because it has a kids’ menu and a family pool. Got older kids? Head to Six Senses Zighy Bay, which is a five hour drive from Muscat and hidden behind the Al Hajar Mountains on the sandy south coast. It’s a stylish choice for grown-up families who want to go hiking, snorkeling, or just relax in the spa before getting dressed up for a fancy dinner.
7. Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the best Christmas holiday destinations because it smells like gingerbread and has wild Hogmanay parties. Even when it’s cloudy, you can go to warm, world-class museums and restaurants, and the cold North Sea winds are a good reason to go to a cozy pub for a Scotch.
8. Salzburg, Austria
Enjoy the cheesiness without shame; this is the fantasy holiday break. Salzburg is the traditional, chocolate-box city of Mozart and “The Sound of Music.” It is dressed to the nines in baroque finery and is surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It will wrap you in comfort.
Walk through the streets of Old Town, jump into vaulted beer cellars, and buy lederhosen.
Conclusion
You should absolutely look over our list if you want to make the most of Christmas and have a great time. Visit the official website of Feedhour for more information on the best Christmas holiday destinations.